Champions

Champions

• Karen Baxter

  Partner, Lewis Silkin LLP

  Karen is Head of Lewis Silkin’s Investigations and Regulatory group and sits on the Firm's Strategy Board. She specialises in employment and partnership law, and regularly conducts complex and highly sensitive workplace investigations, alongside her advisory work. Karen has a diverse client base, with a particular emphasis towards advising major domestic and international law firms and other professional services organisations on all aspects of their relationships with their employees and members/partners. This includes resolving issues such as contentious team moves, the enforcement of restrictive covenants and issues arising out of disability and ill health. Karen is a passionate advocate of the importance of mental wellbeing both inside and outside of the workplace, and is a qualified Mental Health First Aider.  Karen leads Lewis Silkin's mental health campaign, #ThisPlaceMinds.

• Paul Bennett

  Partner, Bennett Briegal LLP

  Paul Bennett is a solicitor, mediator and arbitrator who advises law firms and solicitors on SRA regulatory matters, anti-money laundering, employment and partnership law at the specialist law firm to other law firms Bennett Briegal LLP. Mental health and solicitors wellbeing is a constant topic of discussion with clients.

• Chloe Benton

  Legal Assistant, Freeths LLP

  Chloe is a legal assistant and future trainee solicitor at Freeths LLP. Chloe is currently working in the Real Estate department in London whilst studying the LPC part-time. Chloe is a member of the firm’s Wellbeing Committee and has recently qualified as a Mental Health First Aider. As a keen advocate of mental wellbeing in the workplace, Chloe is passionate about driving new initiatives to bring about positive change in the profession.

• Gillian Bishop

  Consultant, Family Law in Partnership

  Gillian is a consultant at Family Law in Partnership. She is a founding member of the firm, setting it up in 1995 to provide a distinctive client focused family law service. As an experienced family lawyer, Gillian wanted to create a firm for clients looking for a holistic approach to their divorce. Gillian’s aim is to keep the family unit as amicably cohesive as possible. Gillian’s achievements in law – which include being named as a top-ranked family lawyer by leading legal directories such as Legal 500 UK and Chambers – are a result of her dedication to and knowledge of the profession, but it is her commitment to forming strong relationships with her clients that truly shines through.

• Andrea Brewster

  OBE Lead Executive Officer, IP Inclusive

  Andrea is a Chartered Patent Attorney and European Patent Attorney, a former President of CIPA and a member of the Institute’s governing Council. She founded the IP Inclusive initiative in 2015 to promote diversity and inclusion throughout the IP professions. Promoting mental wellbeing is a key part of IP Inclusive’s agenda; Andrea has worked with LawCare on a number of related projects.

• Sam Brown

  Partner, Herbert Smith Freehills

  Samantha is a partner at City firm, Herbert Smith Freehills, which she joined as a trainee in 2003. Sam is Head of Pensions and has a wide ranging practice, involving transaction, advisory and contentious matters. In addition to her legal practice, Sam co-chair's the Firm's Ability Network. She is a trustee of the mental health campaigning charity United for Global Mental Health and an advocate for mentally healthy workplaces.

• John Cleland

  Managing Partner, Pinsent Masons

  John has overall responsibility for the day-to-day management and operations of the firm globally and takes a particular interest in mental health and wellbeing at work, leading the firm's programmes in this area.

• Simon Davis

  President, Law Society of England and Wales and Partner, Clifford Chance

  Simon Davis is the President of the Law Society of England and Wales and a senior litigation partner at the London office of Clifford Chance. After nearly 40 years as a litigator Simon understands well how difficult life can be. He says ' We solicitors shoulder the burdens of our clients, taking their stress onto ourselves. Knowing that there is a caring professional out there whose job it is to look after the solicitor is so important.'

• Gemma Farina

  In-house lawyer, Capital One

  Gemma is an in-house commercial contracts lawyer at Capital One in Nottingham. She is passionate about positive mental wellbeing in the workplace, co-leads Capital One's mental health and wellbeing business resource group and is actively involved in shaping the organisation's approach to mental health. She is also a dedicated volunteer for 'Shout', the crisis text line charity founded by the Royal Foundation in 2018, and has recently completed training to become a mental health first aider. 
  

• Joanna Fleck

  Co-founder, Claiming Space

  Joanna Fleck practiced as a solicitor in civil liberties and inquests. She now teaches yoga and meditation. She also works with a mental health charity to deliver specialist support and mental health awareness training. She recently completed a Master’s degree in psychology, researching secondary traumatic stress in the legal profession.

• Clare Good

  Solicitor, Capital Law and Wellbeing Officer, Cardiff Law Society

  Clare is a Commercial Disputes solicitor at Capital Law in Cardiff. As chair of the Cardiff JLD wellbeing was top of her agenda and she planned a number of fully booked events for Mental Health Awareness Week. As Clare stands down from chair she will take the role of Well-being Officer with both the JLD and the local Cardiff Law Society.

• Catherine Hart

  Partner, Professional Support Lawyer

  Catherine is a partner and professional support lawyer at Digby Brown LLP, a Scottish firm that specialises in pursuing personal injury claims. Catherine is a member of the Lawscot Steering Group, which was set up in 2018 to provide a clear strategic direction for Lawscot Wellbeing, a Law Society of Scotland initiative that promotes emotional wellbeing. Catherine has a long standing interest in mental health issues.

• Gillian Higgins

  Barrister and Meditation teacher

  Gillian is an international criminal barrister at The Chambers of 9 Bedford Row. She is head of the International Practice Group and is also an accredited meditation teacher. Since 2016, she has been introducing the concept and benefits of mindfulness to the Bar and the legal profession generally. She is author of "Mindfulness at Work and Home".

• Jodie Hill

  Managing Director, Thrive Law

  Jodie trained as a barrister, cross-qualified as a solicitor & founded Thrive Law in Leeds. She's passionate about encouraging understanding and ending stigma around mental health to create a happier, healthier workforce. Her campaigning led to extensive media coverage and saw her shortlisted for Law Society Gazette Legal Personality of the Year 2018 and awarded a fellowship of the Royal Society for Public Health.

• Dr Kirsty J Hood QC

  Advocate

  Kirsty is an Advocate at the Scottish Bar.  She has been in practice at the Bar since 2001, and was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2015.  While she maintains a varied civil practice, her particular expertise is in private international law.  In October 2014, Kirsty became the first woman to be elected as Clerk of Faculty at the Faculty of Advocates – a position which she held until April 2019.  Kirsty has shown an active commitment to supporting the equality and diversity agenda within the legal profession.  As Clerk of Faculty, she represented the Faculty of Advocates on the Legal Wellbeing Scotland Group which was set up in 2016, and she understands the importance of wellbeing and mental health for the legal profession.

• Karen Jackson

  Solicitor & Managing Director, didlaw

  Karen Jackson is a leading expert in disability discrimination law. She has a particular interest in mental health and is also a fierce advocate for equality and freedom from discrimination and harassment for women at work. Her firm, didlaw, was established following her successful recovery from a heart transplant. Didlaw advises across all areas of employment. Karen is a commentator on disability and sex discrimination issues.

• Charles Jacobs

  Senior Partner and Chairman, Linklaters

  Charlie is Linklaters Senior Partner and Chairman and is a leading high-end M&A practitioner. He is passionate about creating a culture that supports good mental health in a demanding environment. Most recently he championed the introduction of an onsite psychologist service in Linklaters London office.

• Claire Jacques

  Lawyer and psychotherapist

  Claire is a part-time commercial/technology lawyer at Taylor Vinters and is also an accredited psychotherapist. She has a particular interest working with professionals and academics; exploring the challenges of working in an often high-pressured professional environment and the impact this can have on emotional/physical wellbeing.

• ​Malvika Jaganmohan

  Barrister, St Ives Chambers

  Malvika is a barrister specialising in family law. Following a serious mental health crisis in her pupillage year, Malvika has tried to encourage open  discussions around mental ill-health amongst lawyers and the support that can be put in place for them. She runs a blog called ‘Stiff Upper Lip’ which aims to challenge mental health stigma within the profession. 

• Sam Jardine

  Partner, Fieldfisher

  Sam is a partner in Fieldfisher's technology group. He is passionate about improving wellbeing in the profession – this has included creating training, partnering with external professionals, writing blogs and articles, and acting as a partner sponsor for mental health. Sam loves being able to play a part in helping others thrive and succeed. 

• Nigel Jones

  Executive coach and wellbeing consultant

  Nigel is an advocate for change in the way workplace mental health is addressed. He was Co-Founder of the City Mental Health Alliance in 2012, and has held a leadership position there ever since. In May 2018, after 32 years, he retired from a full-time career as a partner at Linklaters to pursue his interests in workplace wellbeing, and to expand his executive coaching and NED/Trustee activities. He has significant Board experience.

• Umar Kankiya

  Solicitor

  Umar is a mental health and mental capacity Solicitor with over 10 years of experience. Umar was previously running mental health departments in some legal aid firms but took a step back in October 2019 to concentrate on his health and wellbeing. In this time, Umar has set up and is running his own consultancy Kank Speaks Legal Ltd in which he continues to offer advice and assistance across a range of matters on mental health, communications and politics. Umar is part of the Leadership team at Dope Black Dads which is an organisation set up to change the narrative around black fathers. The group aims to inspire, heal, celebrate and educate black fathers. Umar is proud to be a LawCare champion as someone who has faced his own issues with his health and wellbeing, Umar is looking forward to advocating on behalf of those whose voices are not heard and to provide a perspective from a black male viewpoint.

• Susan Lamb

  Group Records Manager, Shell

  Susan is a lawyer for Shell International specialising in information management compliance. She leads the Care in Legal Programme for Shell Group Legal and was awarded Shell Legal Leadership team individual award for the Programme . She is passionate about creating a culture that supports mental health and believes that lawyers should “thrive not just survive”. She is a qualified NLP Practitioner.

• Miranda Martin

  Retired employment lawyer and LawCare volunteer

  Retired employment lawyer, keen runner and advocate for work life balance in the workplace.

• David McCahon

  Global Head of Commercial, Innovation and Technology, Legal & Wellbeing Leader at Barclays

  David leads the Global Commercial, Innovation and Technology Legal team in Barclays and leads the Legal Department’s work on Wellbeing. He qualified as a barrister after getting his law degree from Reading University and a Master of Law degree from Cambridge. He is chair of trustees of a counselling charity in Suffolk, a Governor at Goodenough College in London and on the board of Now Teach.

• Nick O'Neill

  Governance and Practice Manager, Wirral Borough Council

  Nick is a solicitor 20 years PQE, who has worked in a management capacity for the last 8 years. After a 20 year career as a litigator in the private sector, he moved to the public sector and am currently the Governance and Practice Manager for the Wirral Council. He is a Lawcare volunteer, mental health first aider and OU student coach / mentor.

• James Pereira

  QC Barrister and Coach

  James is a tenant at Francis Taylor Building, practising in planning and environmental law. He engages in learning, practicing and teaching techniques to support professional performance and wellbeing in the law, believing that the best lawyers are well lawyers. He is a professional organisational and systemic coach, a licensed NLP Master Practitioner, trained in creativity, meditation, hypnosis & non-violent communication.

• Wendy Quinn

  Senior Risk Lawyer, Pinsent Masons

  Wendy has longstanding experience of helping colleagues with mental health issues in the workplace and sees mental wellbeing as key in the legal profession with technological advances making it more difficult to leave work behind at the end of the day. She also tutors at Glasgow University, so sees challenges faced by those entering the profession.

• Lloyd Rees

  Knowledge Lawyer, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer

  Lloyd Rees is a Knowledge Lawyer in the Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer London office. Lloyd’s main specialism is Brexit and its implications for business. Lloyd has spoken and written extensively about his own mental health conditions to help raise awareness in the legal profession.

• Peter Riddleston

  Learning & Quality Director, LawNet

  Peter started his career as a solicitor before moving into legal education and professional development. He has significant experience of designing learning programmes for lawyers and is responsible for LawNet’s learning programme and quality standard. Peter has introduced training on mental health and wellbeing for LawNet members and has written and spoken widely about his own experiences of anxiety and depression. 

• Anna Robinson

  Senior Solicitor and Psychotherapist

  Anna retrained as a psychotherapist (and soon to be clinical supervisor) following a long career as a senior immigration solicitor in the City. She has since practised in both careers; working with a range of emotional issues in her private therapy practice and leading wellbeing initiatives at a highly acclaimed boutique law firm. Anna presents on mental health issues within the legal profession and is a Mental Health First Aid Instructor.

• Rachel Stevens

  Chartered Legal Executive at Keoghs & Professional Board Member at CILEx

  Rachel is a Chartered Legal Executive in the Counter Fraud Services team at Keoghs LLP.  Rachel also sits on the CILEx professional board and is a trustee of the Northwest Legal Support Trust. She is a keen runner and a member of a local running club. She is passionate about promoting positive mental health and encouraging people to improve their environment to enable this. 
  

• Joanne Theodoulou

  General Counsel at Simply Business and Trustee of Mind, the mental health charity

  Joanne is the General Counsel of Simply Business, the UK’s largest business insurance provider where she is a passionate advocate for workplace wellbeing. She sits on the board of trustees of Mind, the mental health charity, bringing a compassionate understanding of mental health problems based on experience, and with it the vital message of hope.

• Emma Walker

  Associate solicitor in regulatory and disciplinary team, Leigh Day

  Emma advises and supports practices and individuals dealing with regulatory matters, including responding to questions from, or investigation or prosecution by regulators such as the SRA. Emma understands the significance of wellbeing in the regulatory context and has seen how it can affect decision-making and the impact regulatory and disciplinary matters can have on individuals.

• Claire Weldon

  Associate, DAC Beachcroft

  Claire is an Associate at DAC Beachcroft specialising in Clinical Negligence. Claire has worked in private practice for nearly 20 years, but feels that DAC Beachcroft is the first firm she has worked for that puts employees health and wellbeing front and centre. As a member of the firm’s Wellbeing Committee, Claire is passionate about making the workplace a better place for all. She has trained as a Mental Health Champion and writes a regular “Wellbeing Wednesday” blog which covers a wide variety of topics connected to achieving the elusive work/life balance.

• Rowan White

  President, Law Society of Northern Ireland

  Rowan White was for many years a partner in the Belfast office of leading Irish law firm Arthur Cox, where he now holds a consultancy role.  He specialised in commercial property work. Rowan was elected President of the Law Society of Northern Ireland in November 2019. Promoting good mental health and wellbeing is one of the key objectives of his term as President
  

• Victoria Wilson

  Barrister, Goldsmith Chambers, and 2020 Chair of Wellbeing at the Bar

  Victoria is a family law barrister, practising principally in financial remedy and private law children cases. She is the elected 2020 Chair of the Wellbeing at the Bar Working Group which carries out work on behalf of all barristers, clerks and staff in England and Wales. She is also the Chair of the Family Law Bar Association Wellbeing Subcommittee. Her recent articles include Our Wellbeing Stock, Counsel Magazine, 2020 and Wellbeing: What Has Happened And Where Are We Now? Family Affairs, 2020.