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11 July 2014 / Brie Stevens-Hoare KC
Issue: 7614 / Categories: Features , Profession
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Raising the Bar (2)

We must work at inclusion to achieve a diverse profession, says Brie Stevens-Hoare QC

The legal profession achieved gender equality at entry level 20 years ago. Many in the legal profession understand the business case for inclusion. The strands of diversity that most law firms (if not chambers) are conscious of have expanded beyond gender and ethnicity. A significantly greater proportion of women than men leave the legal profession around 12 years into practice. What can those who lead and influence their organisations do to ensure that inclusion reaches all strands of diversity and that the diverse talent is then retained?

A tall tale

Less than 15% of American men are over six foot tall and less than 4% are six foot two inches or taller. In America 60% of corporate CEOs are over six foot tall and 36% are over six foot two. Does being six foot tall mean they are innately better CEO material than those who are five foot something? Does that extra two inches or more over six foot

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

NLJ Career Profile: Ken Fowlie, Stowe Family Law

NLJ Career Profile: Ken Fowlie, Stowe Family Law

Ken Fowlie, chairman of Stowe Family Law, reflects on more than 30 years in legal services after ‘falling into law’

Jackson Lees Group—Jannina Barker, Laura Beattie & Catherine McCrindle

Jackson Lees Group—Jannina Barker, Laura Beattie & Catherine McCrindle

Firm promotes senior associate and team leader as wills, trusts and probate team expands

Asserson—Michael Francos-Downs

Asserson—Michael Francos-Downs

Manchester real estate finance practice welcomes legal director

NEWS
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Artificial intelligence (AI) is already embedded in the civil courts, but regulation lags behind practice. Writing in NLJ this week, Ben Roe of Baker McKenzie charts a landscape where AI assists with transcription, case management and document handling, yet raises acute concerns over evidence, advocacy and even judgment-writing
The cab-rank rule remains a bulwark of the rule of law, yet lawyers are increasingly judged by their clients’ causes. Writing in NLJ this week, Ian McDougall, president of the LexisNexis Rule of Law Foundation, warns that conflating representation with endorsement is a ‘clear and present danger’
The Supreme Court has drawn a firm line under branding creativity in regulated markets. In Dairy UK Ltd v Oatly AB, it ruled that Oatly’s ‘post-milk generation’ trade mark unlawfully deployed a protected dairy designation. In NLJ this week, Asima Rana of DWF explains that the court prioritised ‘regulatory clarity over creative branding choices’, holding that ‘designation’ extends beyond product names to marketing slogans
From cat fouling to Part 36 brinkmanship, the latest 'Civil way' round-up is a reminder that procedural skirmishes can have sharp teeth. NLJ columnist Stephen Gold ranges across recent decisions with his customary wit
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