BIRMINGHAM LAW SOCIETY MAKES HISTORY AS IT PREPARES TO SWEAR-IN FIRST BLACK PRESIDENT IN 202 YEAR HISTORY

The Birmingham Law Society – the oldest Society outside of London – is to, today (28th July 2020), swear-in its first-ever Black President, Inez Brown.

Succeeding the Presidency of Linden Thomas – 2019-20 – Inez Brown, who is a partner of the law firm, Harrison Clark Rickerbys, is excited to be taking the helm at this period of huge change.

She comments: “The world is in a period of huge re-adjustment; economically, politically and socially.  I’m excited to be taking over the Presidency and supporting the continued growth and development of the Birmingham Law Society at this time.  I’m also supremely proud to be the first black woman in this esteemed position in its 202-year history”.

Beginning her career as a legal secretary, whilst working full time she made the decision to study law on a part time basis in 1994 and then went on to study LPC at Wolverhampton. She joined Anthony Collins in 2002 as a trainee solicitor and qualified into clinical negligence. She remained at Anthony Collins for 11 years.   However, in 2012 she moved to Harrison Clark Rickerbys to develop and expend the clinical negligence team now working as Medical Accident Group, the 25-strong team now operates nationally under her leadership.

She specialises in all types of claims including birth injury, brain injury and spinal injury and is an accredited member of Action for Victims of Medical Accidents (AvMA) and an Executive Officer of the Society of Clinical Injury Lawyers (SCIL).  She is also currently a Trustee of the Child Brain Injury Trust (CBIT) who provide support to children and young people with a brain injury.

In 2016, she was awarded Partner of the Year at the Birmingham Law Society Legal Awards.

During her presidential term of July 2020 – July 2021, Inez plans to run three initiatives:

  1. Continue the conversation about flexible working

Start a discussion between BLS member firms around flexible/agile working considering productivity; cyber security etc. together with the fact that agile working means different things for different people.

  1. Law & Technology

Arrange at least 2-3 Lawtech meetings during the year with technology companies and law firms/chambers that either have a technology sector and/or are interested in learning more about this sector. Additionally, organise a Lawtech conference in Birmingham, delegates to include individuals from technology companies, law firms/chambers and the Birmingham business community etc.

  1. Diversity Inclusion Scheme

Set up a scheme that will identify two talented students from disadvantaged backgrounds who might benefit from this scheme to enter the legal profession.  Teaming up with University of WolverhamptonUniversity of Law to provide scholarships to the successful candidates on the Legal Practice course.  In addition, working in partnership with Gatelys Plc; Harrison Clark Rickerbys in providing mentoring and work experience to the successful candidates whilst being supported by Pinsent Masons to access a virtual work experience program.

The historic inauguration ceremony of Ms Brown will take place at the Society’s AGM at No 5 Chambers, Birmingham.

Usually a private event exclusively for Birmingham Law Society members, this landmark Presidency is inviting members of the press interested in covering this appointment to witness the ceremony.