Celebrate International Women's Day at our panel event focussing on successful women in law who persisted in the face of challenge.
Join us at 6.30pm for a 6.45pm start in the Prince's Room at Middle Temple on Thursday 9th March for our International Women's Day 2023 event: "Nevertheless, she persisted". This will be a panel discussion featuring stories of successful women at the Bar and how they got there by overcoming any obstacles that stood in their way.
The expression "nevertheless, she persisted" was made famous in late 2017 and became a rallying cry for women around the world when United States Senator Elizabeth Warren was forced to stop speaking halfway through her speech on the floor of the Senate during the confirmation of US Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Warren was critising Sessions' civil rights record when her microphone was cut off.
Warren was rebuked by Senator Mitch McConnell who remarked:
"Senator Warren was giving a lengthy speech. She had appeared to violate the rule. She was warned. She was given an explanation. Nevertheless, she persisted."
This event adopts "nevertheless she persisted" as its title to stimulate a discussion around women in law who faced barriers on their path to success but nevertheless, persisted anyway.
We hope you join us in the celebrations whether that be in person or online. For in person ticket-holders, there will be a buffet and drinks reception after the event at 8.00pm.
About our panellists
Alice de Coverley
Alice is a specialist education, equality, and public law barrister at 3PB chambers. Alice has significant experience working with children and young people with disabilities, severe mental health conditions, special educational needs and those who have experienced sexual violence. She is passionate about education law and children’s rights. She is highly experienced in bringing and defending claims involving breaches of the Equality Act 2010 by education providers.
Alice has been ranked in the directories for three consecutive years for her education specialism. She is on the legal reference panel for the Centre for Women’s Justice, providing advice and representation to organisations supporting girls experiencing sexual violence. Alice has contributed to significant publications including as co-author of ‘A Practical Guide to the Law in relation to School Exclusions’ and ‘Patterson & Karim on Judicial Review’ (Lexis, 2019), heading up the Education Law chapter. Alice is champion of Neurodiversity in Law and has recently been appointed to its Executive Board. We are thrilled to host Alice and look forward to hearing her perspective.
Christina Warner
Christina Warner is a family and animal protection specialist at 33 Bedford Row. Having been described by her clients as a “powerful” advocate with a “human touch”, Christina has raised awareness of the needs of LGBTQ+ people, Latinx communities and disabled people accessing the family courts as well as promoting their rights generally through pro bono contributions to charities and projects. Having also been recognised as a “pioneer” in the field of animal protection law, Christina has fought to bring attention to the link between violence towards animals and children and domestic abuse.
Christina is a champion of diversity and inclusion at the Bar and was recognised 2022 in the ‘Disability Power 100’ list alongside many talented campaigners and activists. In 2023, Christina was nominated and announced as a finalist at the ‘Lexis Nexis Legal Awards for Diversity and Inclusion’ for her work representing the disabled community, her focus on the need for greater representation, and access to justice. We are delighted to have Christina on our panel.
Elaine Banton
Elaine is a Middle Temple Bencher and leading employment law specialist at 7BR chambers practising across the whole range of employment, equality, and discrimination law matters. She is recognised in the directories as an “insightful advocate” and is regularly instructed in high profile and impactful cases. In November 2021, Elaine was featured as ‘The Lawyer’s Barrister of the Week’ in relation to a widely reported discrimination case. In 2009, she was named a ‘Pro Bono Hero’ by the Attorney General’s Office. Elaine is a powerful advocate for equality and social mobility. She is an elected member of the Bar Council and sits as Co-chair of its Equality, Diversity and Social Mobility Committee. She also sits on the General Management Committee and is a member of the Inns of Court Alliance for Women.
Elaine speaks, writes and broadcasts regularly on her specialist areas of the law for various publications. She is a contributor for Harvey Industrial Relations and Employment Law, co-author of Division J Family Matters and co-authored the chapter on Human Rights and Employment Law for Tolley’s Employment Law. We are thrilled to host Elaine at our IWD celebration.
Mary Prior KC
Mary Prior was appointed as Queen’s Counsel in 2017 and is a bencher at Gray’s Inn. She is recognised in the Legal 500 with a reputation for being a powerful, persuasive advocate who commands the respect of the court room. Mary has expertise in homicide cases, particularly those involving complex medical evidence. Mary has worked with academics researching questioning techniques for vulnerable witnesses and runs the RASSO training for the Midland Circuit.
Mary does a tremendous amount of work to support aspiring barristers especially those from non-traditional backgrounds. She regularly visits schools to assist with preparation for career interviews and is a mentor to law students and young advocates. Mary has several notable appointments including as Gray's Inn Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, Co-chair of Women in Law on the Midland circuit, a trustee of Bringing (Dis) Ability to the Bar and as a Champion of Neurodiversity in Law- to name a few. We are delighted to host Mary on our panel who will be appearing via video link.
