Sally Penni, Women in the Law UK's chair and founder and the vice chair of the Association of Women Barristers, shares her inspirations and role models within the profession
What was your route into the profession?
I took the traditional route, reading law at university before attending Bar school and undertaking pupillage. It was intended that I would become a doctor but I was distracted elsewhere.
What has been your biggest career challenge so far?
Having children and rebuilding a practice afterwards.
Which person within the legal profession inspires you most?
There are so many it is hard to choose. Once in practice I looked up to senior juniors and Silks, such as Mrs Justice Laura Cox who, until she retired, was a patron of the Association of Women Barristers and vocal outside her 'day job'.
When I came to the Bar you didn’t see a lot of women or those from BAME backgrounds. Apart from my fantastic pupil master, I found Anesta Weekes QC and Baroness Scotland QC truly inspiring.
Others include: Dame Linda Dobbs; Lady Justice Anne Rafferty, with whom I marshalled at the Old Bailey; HHJ Sarah Singleton QC, Presiding Judge for Lancashire; and, of course, the wonderful 'usual suspect' speakers at Women in the Law UK events in Manchester.
I had a great pupillage at Albion Chambers which give me the opportunity to work with and learn from a number of great advocates.
If you weren’t a lawyer, what would you choose as an alternate career?
I would have been a doctor but realised I was not a fan of blood. I would also have loved to be an author and writer. I love writing now, both legal texts and articles for legal sector magazines.
Who is your favorite fictional lawyer?
It is Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird. It was one of the first books I read as a child and one of the first films I watched as an adult.
Another early influence was watching John Mortimer’s Rumpole of the Bailey on TV and reading the books. I was totally absorbed by the thrilling cases.
What change would you make to the profession?
I would increase gender diversity. I would also increase social mobility by making it compulsory for everyone in the profession to speak in schools as part of their CPD requirements.
I would love to make our profession more accessible.
How do you relax?
I practise yoga. Before I had children I ran marathons and cycled as well as yoga and pilates. Nowadays I do yoga to relax, and chill out with my children.
Sally Penni FRSA, Barrister at Law (crime and employment), Kenworthy’s Chambers; founder and chair, Women in the Law UK; and vice chair, Association of Women Barristers
