McFarlane, whose practice focuses on clients in the public sector, particularly in the emergency services, specialises in industrial relations, complex discrimination cases and whistleblowing. He has been an employment lawyer for more than 20 years, writes regularly on the subject for the national and specialist press, and also serves as a Black Solicitors Network board member and appointment panel member of press regulator IMPRESS.
Aside from work, he is a keen runner, having completed five marathons and raised thousands of pounds for charity.
McFarlane, who is the first ELA chair with Afro-Caribbean heritage, said: ‘If you know anything about me, it is that I am passionate about improving diversity within the legal profession more widely and the employment law community specifically.
‘When I entered the employment law world over 25 years ago, I recall having the feeling of being isolated. There were very few people who looked like me or with my background in the legal profession, let alone practising employment law. (My parents are both Jamaican, I went to a comprehensive school and was the first in my family, in this country, to go university, albeit non-Russell Group one).
‘As I have progressed, I feel that it is vital that I use whatever platforms I have to help those, with backgrounds similar to me making their way in the profession, not feel how I did back in the 1990s.’
He paid tribute to work done in this area in the past 18 months, including the launch of ELA’s Race Equality Committee (REC), which aims to improve access to careers in employment law for people from BAME backgrounds; and create a network of BAME employment lawyers and non-BAME allies who can share insight, experiences and provide mutual support to those already within the profession.
He said upcoming initiatives and events will include a pilot reverse mentoring scheme; a career in employment law event aimed at students; and working with the [ELA] Legislative & Policy Committee on the equitable briefing as it relates to race.
He also wants to ‘ensure that ELA cements its reputation as being the authoritative and effective voice of employment lawyers in the UK.
‘Key to this is ensuring we maintain the excellent working relationships we have with key stakeholders in the employment world eg the employment judiciary, ACAS and the Department of Business Enterprise and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and internationally’.
McFarlane acknowledged the immense pressure on employment lawyers, during the COVID-19 pandemic and now with the current cost of living crisis. He said he hoped to build on efforts to improve members’ wellbeing that began during the pandemic, with the establishment of the ELA’s pastoral committee and series of wellbeing events.
‘While COVID appears to be dissipating, the work load pressures on employment lawyers have not decreased,’ he said.
‘On the contrary, the nature of the work employment lawyers do often has life/business changing implications. With the cost of living crisis hitting our economy and individuals hard, this give rise to additional pressures being put on employment lawyers for their advice.’
He expressed his hope that he will improve member engagement during his term in office and that members will feel more supported by ELA.
Paul McFarlane, partner, Capsticks Solicitors (www.capsticks.com) was recently appointed Chair, Employment Lawyers' Association (www.elaweb.org.uk)
