International Women’s Day – what it means to us

Sintons is proud to mark International Women’s Day, and to take the opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women across the North East, UK and the world.

As a law firm which has one of the highest proportion of female partners and senior lawyers in the North of England’s legal sector, we have long been an advocate of the importance of offering equal opportunities for progression and development.

Here, some of our leading female lawyers share their thoughts on what International Women’s Day means to them…

Karen Simms, head of corporate and commercial and ‘leading individual’ in the North of England (Legal 500 2018):

“As head of corporate and commercial at Sintons, I have the privilege of working with many fantastic female role models, from colleagues and business connections to clients.  It is a pleasure to work with the female founders of Myndr, Emma Reilly and Lizzy Hodcroft. At Sintons we are proud to be supporting the upcoming 50:50 Future event at which the Myndr team will be sharing their journey and inspiring others.  I am also looking forward to meeting like-minded women to celebrate International Women’s Day at Newcastle University.”

Amanda Maskery, head of NHS healthcare and ‘leading individual’ in the North of England (Legal 500 2018):

“I am lucky to work with so many inspirational women, both within Sintons and among my clients and professional circle. Healthcare is a fast-paced and constantly-changing area, and women are frequently found to be leading the way in this regionally and nationally. I am proud to be the advisor to so many determined and driven female innovators, professionals, leaders and entrepreneurs, supporting their visions and ambitions to help them achieve their goals. Within Sintons, while law has traditionally been viewed as a male-dominated sector, we were one of the first law firms to truly embrace opportunities for women and offer progression to senior levels, and we continue to have one of the highest ratios of women in senior roles in the region’s legal sector.”

Lucy Carlin, tech specialist senior associate and ‘future generation lawyer’ (Legal 500 2018) and ‘associate to watch’ (Chambers 2019):

“Working in technology, International Women’s Day gives me an opportunity to reflect on the achievements of women and girls in this field.  In 2018, I was inspired by the Tech for Life team’s Ada Lovelace event which brought together a panel of STEAM experts with the wider community including girls from the North East interested in STEAM opportunities.   Another highlight for me was attending the Turing lecture presented by Sue Black OBE – professor of computer science at Durham University, Bletchley park campaigner and CEO of #techmums (a social enterprise teaching mums about tech skills). Thanks to the women and girls who inspire me; I hope I am paying it forward.”

Kate Nicklin, neurotrauma associate and ‘associate to watch’ (Chambers 2019):

“In my role as a serious injury solicitor, I represent many women whose lives have been devastated by life changing events. My clients are often women holding together a fractured family because of the loss of a loved one, mums caring for and advocating on behalf of their severely injured child and injured women fighting to regain even a fraction of the lives they led before their world was turned upside down. I am regularly amazed and humbled by such women who show such strength and power in the face of adversity.”