Talks and events
The Edinburgh Foundation for Women in Law aims to facilitate a range of conversations that will help drive a change in the legal profession in Scotland to ensure a more equal and diverse landscape.
EFWiL hosts a number of talks and events throughout the year, which we encourage anyone with an interest in promoting women in the law to attend.
EFWiL Reflections Lecture 2024/2025
To mark EFWiL’s 10th anniversary, co-founders Professor Lesley McAra and Karina McTeague for the EFWiL Reflections Lecture 2024 gave an in-conversation style talk to discuss the past, present and future of EFWiL’s work to break down barriers, promote equal opportunities, and inspire a new generation of legal professionals who will shape a more equitable and just society.
Read more about the co-founders on the event's page.
EFWiL Reflections Lecture 2022/2023
The Edinburgh Foundation for Women in Law was delighted to welcome the Solicitor General, Ruth Chartertis KC, for the EFWiL Reflections Lecture 2023/24. During the lecture, Ms Charteris reflected on her career and explored some of the obstacles, barriers and challenges that she has faced. She also provided advice to those looking to enter and progress in the legal profession.
About the speaker
Ruth Charteris KC was appointed Solicitor General for Scotland in June 2021. The Solicitor General has extensive experience in civil and criminal law.
EFWiL Reflections Lecture 2021/2022
The Edinburgh Foundation for Women in Law was delighted to welcome Debora Kayembe, Rector of the University of Edinburgh, for the EFWiL Reflections Lecture 2021/22. During the lecture, Ms Kayembe reflected on her career and work in human rights law and provided advice for both students who are aspiring lawyers, and for those in practice. She also reflected on challenges that might be put to the legal profession to combat racism and inequality and promote diversity.
About the speaker
Debora Kayembe was called to the Congolese Bar Association in 2000, and has been a member of the Institute of Translation and Interpreting from 2010-2020. In 2016 she joined the language services of the office of the prosecutor at the International Criminal Court and the International Criminal Court Bar Association (ICCBA).
Debora served as Scottish Refugee Council board member from 2013 – 2016. She also joined the Royal Society of Edinburgh/Young Academy of Scotland representing refugee minorities, and has a seat as an expert lawyer to the RSE Working Group for Africa. In 2017 Debora founded the charity Full Options.
In August 2019, history was made at the Royal Society of Edinburgh, when Debora became the first African to have her portrait erected at the wall of the society honouring her achievements and contributions to the Scottish Society.
In July 2020, Debora launched the Freedom Walk campaign – a civil rights movement which aims to lobby and campaign on behalf of citizens by promoting social reforms, racial justice and community harmony. Debora is also petitioning to the Scottish Parliament in favour of anti-racist education in Scotland.
Shelf Indulgence 2025
One thing law students tell us often is they don’t make enough time for non-legal reading, so we're giving everyone permission for some 'Shelf Indulgence.'
The EFWiL Shelf Indulgence Book Club brings together legal professionals with current Edinburgh Law School staff and students to read three books together between January and April 2025. The first book we will read is Unwell Women: A Journey Through Medicine and Myth in a Man-Made World by Elinor Cleghorn. For our subsequent reads, we will take a look at your sign up suggestions and let members guide our direction.
Policy Roundtable: Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill
On 26 October 2023, the Edinburgh Foundation for Women in Law’s held a lunchtime policy roundtable to discuss the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill and the piloting of juryless rape trials. The event consisted of a short discussion with a panel of experts, including: Professor Sharon Cowan, Sandy Brindley, Frances McMenamin KC, Lord Scott and Lord Beckett. It was chaired by Naeema Sajid of Diversity+.
Insights - Living and working in the time of COVID-19
On the 22 April 2021, the Edinburgh Foundation for Women in Law held a virtual listening event where 29 women from across the legal profession shared their experiences of working and living during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Following introductory remarks by Annie Sorbie (Director of the Edinburgh Foundation for Women in Law), Kirsty Nicholson (Partner, Addleshaw Goddard LLP) and Jamila Archibald (Dispute Resolution Solicitor, SSE plc), participants were asked to reflect on:
- What have been the challenges of working and living through the COVID-19 pandemic?
- Have there been any positives?
- What are the challenges and opportunities going forward?
