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WESTMINSTER & HOLBORN LAW SOCIETY NEWS
International Legal Evenings - Social Media for International Lawyers Tue 28 October 25 6:00 PM-8:30 PM
Part of the International Legal Evenings series by the International Committee of the Westminster and Holborn Law Society, promoting dialogue and collaboration among lawyers practising across borders.
In today’s interconnected world, social media is more than a digital presence — it’s a powerful professional tool. This session will explore how LinkedIn, Instagram, and face-to-face networking can help international lawyers stay informed, visible, and connected across borders.
Our panel of legal professionals and communications experts will share practical insights on:
Building strategic and meaningful professional relationships.
Staying up-to-date with legal developments, events, and trends across jurisdictions.
Enhancing cross-border collaboration and international visibility.
Join us for an engaging evening of discussion, exchange, and networking opportunities with lawyers working across different legal systems and cultures.
Venue: JMW Solicitors LLP King's House, 36-37 King St, London EC2V 8BB - Tickets £6 for WHLS (members) I £12 (non-members)
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/westminsterandholbornlawsociety/1914449
Delegation visit to Palermo, Italy 13 -15 November 2025
An exchange with the Palermo Bar Association. Palermo Bar Association is one of our twinned bar associations. Many thanks to Professor Sara Chandler KC (Hon) who has worked on the arrangements.
Any member of WHLS is eligible to join the delegation. We do not anticipate needing to limit numbers but in the event that is necessary, it would be ‘first come first serve’.
Members can fly on dates/times they choose. We all have to pay our own expenses (unless your firm agrees to support you). There will be a modest fee to cover meals etc.
Plans include a visit to the Appeal Court, meeting the President of the Court and the General Prosecutor, visiting the original cells of the Inquisition and many opportunities to network. Details of the draft plans were sent to members by email on 6 October
Interested? Email Coral Hill, Co-Chair of the International Committee CoralHill@btinternet.com and someone from the IC will provide you with more information.
Please register or enquire cwhlawsoc@gmail.com for our Live events.
The Day of the Endangered Lawyer (DEL)
Wednesday 28 January 2026 18:00-21:00
One of the Founders of the DEL, Ms Symmone Gassbeek-Wielinga will participate in the event.
Aim: To call attention to threatened human rights lawyers by raising awareness on the plight of lawyers in the USA, which is the designated country of the Day of the Endangered Lawyer Foundation for 2026.
The first Day of the Endangered Lawyers took place in on 24 January 2009 with the purpose of calling attention to threatened human rights lawyers with a special focus on one designated country. The Foundation of the DEL also looks after the families of threatened or murdered lawyers, including those colleagues forced to flee to the Netherlands and Europe.
Independent lawyers are essential to protect democracy and the rule of law.
For the 15th edition in January 2026, the Coalition for the International Day of the Endangered Lawyer has designated the United States of America (USA) as the focus country. The Coalition, gathering about 40 lawyer organisations worldwide, will publish a detailed report ahead of the Day to raise awareness and urge concrete action in defence of the rule of law and the independence of lawyers. This selection reflects serious concerns in the US regarding the rule of law and the independence of the legal profession.
Participants:
1. David Green, Partner at Edwin Coe LLP
2. Tony Fisher, Law Society’s Human Rights Chair and Chair of the WHLS Event
3. Symone Gaasbeek, Dutch lawyer, co-Founder of the DEL Foundation, panel speaker
4. Dr Debra Long, Law Society’s International Policy Manager, panel speaker
5 Walter White Jr, US lawyer, panel speaker
6. Michelle Jacobson, US lawyer, panel speaker
Following the event, there will be a networking reception kindly hosted by Edwin Coe LLP
Venue: Edwin Coe LLP Lincolns Inn, 2 Stone Buildings, London WC2A 3TH
Tickets £6 for WHLS (members) I £12 (non-members)
Half of the proceeds will go towards the Day of the Endangered Lawyer Foundation.
Speakers’ costs are not applicable since all the speakers will be presenting free of charge due to public interest / pro bono.
https://buytickets.at/westminsterandholbornlawsociety/2031243
Vicarious Trauma
Wednesday 11 February 2026 18:30 – 21:00
Westminster & Holborn Law Society in association with Claiming Space and Law Care
Venue: JMW Solicitors LLP King's House, 36-37 King St, London EC2V 8BB
Tickets £10 for WHLS (members) I £15 (non-members)
Milan Bar and Commissione Rapporti Internazionali CRINT
February 2026
Our International Committee attended the opening of the judicial year in Milan,
organised by the Milan Bar and Commissione Rapporti Internazionali CRINT.
The event provided an excellent opportunity to meet lawyers from various
jurisdictions, exchange perspectives, and discuss different routes to
qualification, regulatory approaches, and the challenges
facing the legal profession across systems.
Our sincere thanks to the Milan Bar and Avv.
Francesca Maria Zanasi for the kind invitation and warm hospitality.
Vienna Bar Association
February 2026
Our International Committee visited the Vienna Bar Association.
They met with the v-ce dean Nikolaus C. Nonhoff and Sabina Schuhz,
Head of Office and discussed a lot of important topics.
- how Legal Aid is organised in Austria
- the lawyers’ pension scheme
- the structure of the Bar
- disciplinary matters
- what the future of our profession might look like
They also spoke about diversity and the growing impact of AI on our daily work,
a topic that always sparks lively discussion.
Thank you to the Vienna Bar for hosting us and
Agata Wolinska-Umschaden for organising the visit.
International Women’s Day – Westminster & Holborn Law Society
Thursday 12 Mar 2026 18:00 - 20:30
Organised by the WHLS Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Committee
Guest Speaker:
Shama Gupta, Law Society Council Member, Social Mobility Ambassador, Chair of the EDI Committee, Co-Chair of INALP, Senior Associate at Freeths LLP, and Responsible Business Ambassador.
Moderator:
Marta Sanchez Merino, new Chair of the EDI Committee. She will use this opportunity to re-launch the committee and share exciting plans to make it more active and inclusive.
This is a fantastic chance to hear from Shama, engage in meaningful conversation, and get involved in shaping the future of equality, diversity, and inclusion at WHLS.
While we have made great strides in promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion, there is still much to do. This session will highlight why the EDI Committee continues to play a vital role and why our involvement matters. We are determined to make the Committee more active and impactful, and we are looking for enthusiastic members who want to get involved, contribute ideas, and help shape future initiatives.
We warmly invite all members to sign up and join us for this inspiring session.
Venue: Dawson Cornwell LLP, 11 Staple Inn, London, WC1V 7QH
Tickets: £6 for WHLS (members) I £12 (non-members)
https://buytickets.at/westminsterandholbornlawsociety/2095426
Colombian Caravana
21st - 31st August 2026
The Colombian Caravana is a UK based charity that works to promote access to justice and uphold the rule of law in Colombia. It works together with Colombian human rights lawyers and human rights defenders to ensure respect for human rights.
The International Committee of WHLS supports the Caravana and members of our International Committee actively support it.
2026 marks the Carvana’s 18th anniversary and the 9th International Caravana of Jurists' visit to Colombia.
21st to 31st August 2026, this international convoy of lawyers which will include organisations and lawyers from Europe, Canada, and South America, are set to visit important regions in order to shed light on the pressing human rights issues and offer a platform for dialogue, advocacy, and action.
If you want to know more go to:
https://www.colombiancaravana.org.uk/support-us/join-us/
‘Finding your true North’ event Tue 28 April 2026 WHLS
Tue 28 April 2026, 17.30-19.45pm GMT.
Event description
‘Falling into’ the wrong career or legal specialism is common. Causes include: a lack of career advice when young, career options bias from parents or teachers, not making time to develop a thought through career strategy, or the needs of an employer determining which legal department a trainee has a seat during their training contract, impacting future options.
Mid-career, solicitors can find themselves lacking career fulfilment with regrets – easily preventable. There are now more career options for solicitors than ever before. How can you ensure that you find your career ‘True North’?
The purpose of the event is to support junior and mid-career solicitors to make informed career choices at major career crossroads in a fast-changing legal market, with ongoing uncertainty and the unknown impact of AI. Finding your True North is vital with longer working lives and to maximise career fulfilment
This panel event with 5 guest speakers who chose diverse careers in the law will share insights, tips and inspiration. Drinks and canapes will be served.
There will be time for networking and the opportunity to ask questions.
Participants
Suzy Eames, Current President, Westminster and Holborn Law Society, Chair
Rachel Brushfield, The Talent Liberator ™, Founder of EnergiseLegal (est 1996), Host and panellist facilitator
Philip Lewis, Business Matchmaker, Host and guest welcomer
Daniel Winterfeldt MBE KC (Hon) General Counsel | Board and C-Suite Advisor | Capital markets, M&As, Governance | FT Legal Innovator, Panel Speaker
Daniel has a portfolio career and is founder of the Interlaw Diversity Forum, established in 2008. He has won multiple awards and worked in private practice including Weil Gotshal and CMS, before moving in-house.
Rumana Bennett, senior consultant employment lawyer at Saltworks Law, Panel speaker
Rumana originally trained in immigration and litigation then retrained as an employment law specialist in the City. She works for a Community Interest Company (CIC) and is interested in BCorps.
Gabriel Rodriguez, Partner, Carbon Law Partners, Panel Speaker
Gabriel is a consultant lawyer and originally trained as an actor. He is an experienced Commercial Litigator and multi-faceted communicator. He qualified as a lawyer in 2017, joining Shoosmiths, before moving to Carbon Law Partners in January 2025.
Lydia Brookes, Arts manager and freelance musician (oboe), Panel Speaker
Lydia is a Senior manager in the music sector, including Deputy Director and Interim CEO roles at Sinfonia Smith Square and Tenebrae. She has a portfolio career combining arts management with performing as a freelance musician, and trained at Clifford Chance in London and Rome, joining the capital markets team.
Kavitha Joseph, Founder and Principal Solicitor, Lynwood Solicitors, Panel Speaker
Kavitha founded her own law firm in 2016. She has a growing team of eight, including employed and consultant lawyers, with expertise across property, private client and corporate law.
See Ticket Master link for detailed biogs about the 5 Panel Speakers.
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/westminsterandholbornlawsociety/2058548
Agenda
17:30pm Registration, drinks and networking
18:00pm Welcome and introductions
18:10pm Panel discussion
19.00pm Q+A
19.15pm Drinks and networking
19.45pm Event ends
Venue
Barclays Moorgate, 120 Moorgate, London EC2M 6UR.
Nearest tube station, Moorgate, 2 minutes’ walk.
The venue is accessible with step free access at the front and a lift.
Tickets £6 for WHLS (members) | £12 (non-members)
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/westminsterandholbornlawsociety/2058548
Book now to secure your ticket, limited availability.
Event sponsors
With many thanks to our 3 event sponsors:
Barclays – venue sponsor https://www.barclays.co.uk/
Moore Kingston Smith, Accountants and Business Advisors – catering sponsor https://mooreks.co.uk/
ByBallard – photography sponsor https://www.byballard.com/