Navigating identity in law: Gender, inclusion, and the profession in 2025

Featuring:

16:00-17:00
Monday 24th November
David Savage, HFW; Chris Rae; CMS

In the wake of recent legal rulings and policy debates concerning the definition of biological sex and gender identity in the UK, LGBTQ+ professionals - particularly trans and non-binary individuals - are facing unique and urgent challenges within the legal profession.

This panel discussion brings together LGBTQ+ lawyers, trainees, and D&I specialists to unpack how these legal developments are shaping workplace inclusion, professional identity, and belonging in commercial law firms. We’ll explore the lived experiences of trans and gender-diverse professionals navigating firms’ policies, culture, and clients in an increasingly scrutinised environment - and how allies and firms can respond proactively.

From debates over single-sex spaces and pronoun use, to the implications of Equality Act interpretations and corporate stances on gender recognition reform, this event offers an honest and solution-focused conversation for aspiring LGBTQ+ lawyers - and the colleagues who want to support them.

This is a safe and supportive space for students from the LGBTQ+ community to ask questions, hear authentic insights, and explore how to build a legal career while staying true to who you are.