Representing 10,000 solicitors across Westminster & Holborn, providing a forum of networking and promoting professional legal services in the 21st Century.
©Copyright 2026 Westminster & Holborn Law Society, thank you to all our sponsors - Privacy Notice
WESTMINSTER & HOLBORN LAW SOCIETY NEWS
Westminster & Holborn Law Society AGM 2024
October 2024
At our AGM last night Philip Henson outgoing President passed over the chain of office to Nicola Wainwright, our new President. ‘Nicola has some great ideas and plans to implement them. She will have my full support for her presidential year and beyond. Nicola is a dedicated professional and someone that I trust. She, and the new officers, will be great. I’ve given Nicola the heads up about the barrage of emails that she will receive, whilst balancing a full time job and other responsibilities, and I look forward to forwarding those on to her!
Our thanks to Farrer & Co for kindly hosting us last night and for their valued support.
Philip said ‘I have every confidence that the new committee will continue to develop, expand and modernise the society.
It has been a great honour to have served the members of Westminster & Holborn Law Society as their President. What an amazing journey it has been over the last 12 months. I am delighted to have worked with such talented and dedicated professionals and talented colleagues.
We have hosted events and talks on key issues including being a parent whilst having a career in the law, climate change, and changing careers. Next month we have an event focused on mentoring (organised by our fabulous Juniour Lawyers Division). I encourage all members to attend.
As I mentioned during my speech at the House of Lords I’ve been very fortunate to work with a dream team on our board and our subcommittees and I want to pay tribute to all the team for their dedication and hard work. In particular to the hugely talented Suzanna Eames.
It has been an honour to represent the society at prestigious events around the world to develop and expand relationships, including the kind and hospitable professionals who run the bars/law societies of: Barcelona, Milan, Warsaw, Paris, Dallas and their academic colleagues.’
Legal Links London 2025
5-7 June 2025
A taste of legal London. An event driven by purpose, teamwork, and international collaboration.
Nicola Wainwright President of WHLS was present, as was Dana Denis-Smith who has been recently elected Deputy Vice President of The Law Society.
We welcomed lawyers from prestigious European Bar Associations including the Fédération des Barreaux d’Europe (FBE), Poland (Krakow and Gdansk), Italy (Palermo), Austria (Vienna), Spain (Bilbao and Murcia) and Romania (Cluj). FBE was represented by its current 2nd Vice-President, Michele Calantropo and Past President Izabela Konopacka.
Dawson Cornwell LLP hosted the welcome reception in their offices in Staples Inn. The evening brought together international legal professionals who fostered new professional connections, engaged in thought-provoking conversations, reflections, exchange of ideas, a fun quiz hosted by Professor Lizzette Robleto de Howarth from the University of Law, on how the English Legal System differs from other jurisdictions.
WHLS and international guests were also hosted at Solicitors’ Greenwoods Legal LLP’s offices in Lincoln's Inn Fields, by Eleni Nicolaou. It was an opportunity to see similarities and differences between practice areas and synergies between our respective firms. IP partner, Jim Boff and Head of Tax, Roger Harding attended and brought their respective specialisms into the mix.
Barristers’ Church Court Chambers held a captivating discussion on the life of barristers.
Our guests also enjoyed visits to The Old Bailey (Central Criminal Court), Royal Courts of Justice, The Law Society and its preparations just before an admissions ceremony, The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple.
We are grateful to Mark Evans and Brett Dixon for giving us the small tours.
The evening ended with dinner at Brasserie Blanc.
There were also opportunities to hold meetings and networking with solicitors and barristers and visit Greenwich park and the Maritime Museum.
In the words of our President Nicola “above all else what made our Legal Links London 2025 event a true success is that everyone formed new connections and made new friends. We enjoyed celebrating friendship, community and tolerance”.
The International Committee WHLS would like to thank all the guests and hosts who joined the event in London. It was an absolute pleasure to connect with so many brilliant legal minds from around the world. Your energy, insights, and enthusiasm made the event truly special.
INTERNATIONAL LEGAL EVENINGS
Tips on How to Pass the SQE as a Foreign Lawyer While Working Full-Time
Led and moderated by WHLS International Committee member Marta Sánchez Merino
Panellists: Hugo Bittencourt, Milly van Beyere and Yang Yu (Rhea Yu)
Hosted by Irwin Mitchell LLP in its London Office.
An inspiring evening packed with refreshing insights about the real challenges international lawyers face from language barriers and financial strain to time management, burnout, and mastering a new legal system.
The panellists also shared their experiences and practical tips on preparing for the SQE whilst working full time - from revision strategies and fitness routines to exam-day mindset and career.
The event closed with an open Q&A with the audience followed by a vibrant networking reception with drinks and refreshments courtesy of Irwin Mitchell LLP.
INTERNATIONAL LEGAL EVENINGS Social Media for International Lawyers October 2025
Hosted by JMW Solicitors LLP
The session explored how international lawyers can harness the power of LinkedIn and Instagram to enhance visibility, credibility, and professional connections across borders.
Led and moderated by:
Marta Sánchez Merino, Council Member at The Law Society, member of the International Committee at the Westminster & Holborn Law Society, and a dual-qualified lawyer specialising in cross-border commercial and company law.
Our Expert Speakers:
Julia Splavska (Founder of Intelligence & Influence, Co-Chair of the WHLS Social Media Committee, and Employment Lawyer)
Aleksandra Kowalska (dual-qualified lawyer, Legal Counsel at a London-based charity, lecturer, and Founder of Alex Legal English), shared practical insights on building a strong online presence, avoiding common pitfalls, and maintaining authenticity in a digital world.
Julia highlighted the importance of not leaving our LinkedIn profiles empty, and of paying close attention to our profile photo, bio, and skills section - all key elements to how we are perceived professionally online.
Alex stressed the importance of knowing our audience on Instagram, having a clear strategy and a well-defined “why”. She also shed light on risks and safety when using social media as legal professionals.
Marta closed the session with a series of face-to-face networking tips drawn from her journey as an international lawyer - reminding us that while social media helps us get noticed, real trust is built one conversation at a time. In her words: “Networking isn’t about collecting contacts; it’s about building trust and community.”
A huge thank-you to our moderator and speakers, JMW Solicitors LLP and Nicola Wainwright for hosting, and to everyone who joined us for another lively and insightful discussion.
The International Legal Evenings series is created and led by our international committee member Marta Sánchez Merino and was born from the idea that international lawyers are their own category. It brings together professionals from different jurisdictions to share experiences, exchange knowledge, and explore the challenges and rewards of practising law across borders.
Palermo Bar Association Legal Exchange November 25
Our International Committee took part in a legal exchange with Palermo Bar Association one of our twinned bar associations.
A huge thank you to Luciano Termini and Michele Calantroppo for hosting us and for showing us the beauty, history, and legal culture of Palermo.
During the visit, the committee toured the local tribunal, observed a hearing, met with local lawyers, and discussed key topics such as current challenges facing the profession, routes to qualification, and the differences between our legal systems.
They also had the opportunity to visit the offices of Judges Borsellino and Falcone, as well as the Palazzo Chiaramonte Steri, which once served as a prison during the Spanish Inquisition, a powerful and moving experience.
