BLACK HISTORY MONTH: CELEBRATING AND HIGHLIGHTING THE SUCCESSES OF BLACK WOMEN IN LAW
Black History Month is not only a time to honour the trailblazers who shattered glass ceilings in the past, but also a moment to recognise the new wave of black women in law who are shaping the profession today.
For decades, pioneers such as Dame Linda Dobbs DBE, the UK’s first non-white High Court judge, and I. Stephanie Boyce, the first person of colour to lead the Law Society, carried the torch of representation, often standing alone in spaces where few faces looked like theirs.
Now, a new generation of black women are stepping forward, not merely walking in the footsteps of those who came before, but carving out bold new paths of their own. From the courtroom to corporate boardrooms, from grassroots mentoring networks to the highest offices of professional regulation, their voices are being heard, their influence is being felt, and their impact is being measured in real change.
What is striking about this moment in legal history is the breadth of leadership on display. Senior barristers like Barbara Mills KC, now Chair of the Bar Council, are rewriting what leadership looks like at the top of the profession. Rising solicitors and advocates such as Mary Osofisan, Gbemi Akanbi, Jodiann Gayle, and Nadia O’Mara are ensuring that access to law is not an abstract promise, but a tangible reality for those who follow them. Meanwhile, figures such as Angela Jackman KC (Hon) and Nwabueze Nwokolo continue to link frontline advocacy with structural reform, demonstrating that excellence and equity must go hand in hand.
Together, these women show that representation is not symbolic, it is transformative. Their stories remind us that the struggle for equality in the legal sector has never been about one generation passing the baton to the next; it is about building a relay of voices, experiences, and achievements that make the profession more inclusive, more innovative, and more just.
This Black History Month, we celebrate not only the milestones already won but the women whose work today ensures that the next generation of black lawyers will not only enter the profession, but will thrive, lead, and redefine it.
Current Leaders, Award Winners and Rising Stars in the UK Legal Scene (2025)A mix of senior figures and emerging talent who exemplify leadership, impact, and excellence in law:
Barbara Mills KC — Family law barrister; elected Chair of the Bar Council (2025), first black lawyer to hold that role; Deputy High Court Judge and Head of Chambers at 4PB
Barbara Mills KC is a leading barrister in Family Law, whose expertise spans complex private law cases to high-profile public debates on equality and professional standards. In 2025, she became the first black barrister elected as Chair of the Bar Council, a milestone reflecting decades of experience at the Bar. Beyond her courtroom success, Mills advocates for diversity, mentorship, and tackling harassment, showing that leadership in law requires both expertise and courage.
I. Stephanie Boyce (Ingrid Stephanie Boyce) — Former President of the Law Society, first person of colour to hold the post; experienced solicitor with a strong record in professional and regulatory leadership
Stephanie Boyce’s rise from a council estate upbringing to the presidency of the Law Society (2021–2022) exemplifies the transformative power of representation. As President, she amplified voices calling for access to justice, equitable professional opportunities, and mentorship for aspiring black solicitors. Her journey illustrates that socio-economic and racial barriers can be challenged through determination, advocacy, and leadership.
Dame Linda Dobbs DBE — Retired High Court judge; first non-white judge appointed to the senior judiciary of England & Wales (appointed 2004); iconic trailblazer and frequent speaker on diversity and mentoring
Dame Linda Dobbs broke racial barriers when she was appointed to the High Court in 2004. Her decades-long career spans private practice, judicial office, and public service. Beyond her historic appointment, she continues to mentor and speak on judicial diversity, inspiring a new generation to believe that the highest judicial positions are achievable for black women.
Angela Jackman KC (Hon) — Senior solicitor and partner with expertise in mental capacity, education, and public law; active in human rights and DE&I conversations
Angela Jackman KC (Hon) combines legal excellence with social impact. As a partner in Irwin Mitchell’s Court of Protection team, she ensures vulnerable people receive fair representation while also leading professional education programmes in mental capacity law. Her work demonstrates that advocacy and systemic change are inseparable.
Mary Osofisan — Solicitor and trainee highlighted by the Law Society as a rising black solicitor voice; represents the new generation and access-scheme successes
Mary Osofisan represents the rising generation of black lawyers who are changing the landscape of legal practice. Recognised for her early achievements and engagement with mentorship programmes, she bridges corporate and public law experiences. Her story highlights the importance of pipeline initiatives and the value of supporting young black talent in law.
Gbemi (Olúwagbémisọ́lá) Akanbi — Paralegal / DE&I champion; founder of BlackWomenAspiringLawyers; award winner at Inspirational Women in Law; active in mentorship and recruitment access work
Gbemi Akanbi is a grassroots champion who founded BlackWomenAspiringLawyers, an organisation dedicated to mentoring and supporting black women pursuing legal careers. Through workshops, mock interviews, and networking events, she removes barriers that often prevent underrepresented candidates from succeeding in competitive legal pathways.
Jodiann Gayle — Award-winning law student and early-career solicitor; founder of Legalnable; recipient of national awards (Inspirational Women in Law)
Jodiann Gayle, founder of Legalnable, is an award-winning law student and disability advocate. She works to create equitable opportunities for disabled students and underrepresented candidates in law. Jodiann’s intersectional approach to advocacy ensures that inclusion extends beyond representation to accessibility and meaningful participation in the profession.
Nadia O’Mara — Rising public law & human rights barrister; ranked a ‘Rising Star’ in Legal 500; shortlisted for multiple awards (2024/25)
Nadia O’Mara is a public law and human rights barrister at Garden Court Chambers, recognised as a ‘Rising Star’ by Legal 500. She works on immigration, community care, and civil liberties cases, combining litigation with pro bono advocacy. Nadia’s career embodies the principle that black women lawyers are integral to protecting rights for society’s most vulnerable.
Nwabueze Nwokolo OBE — Chair of the Black Solicitors Network; longstanding advocate for black solicitors’ representation and involvement in judicial appointment discussions
Nwabueze Nwokolo has spent decades championing black solicitors’ representation in the UK. As former Chair of the Black Solicitors Network and a Law Society committee member, she has influenced policy on judicial appointments, mentoring, and professional diversity. Her work shows that sustained advocacy is essential for systemic change.
The stories of these nine women demonstrate that Black History Month is not only about recognising historical achievements but also about celebrating a dynamic, ongoing impact in UK law. Today’s black women lawyers are not simply stepping into the shoes of the pioneers, they are expanding the profession’s boundaries, influencing policy, mentoring the next generation, and fighting for systemic change.
Their collective impact is profound: courts, firms, and communities are being transformed by voices that demand equity, fairness, and excellence. As we celebrate Black History Month, these women remind us that representation is more than symbolic, it is catalytic. The next generation of lawyers will inherit a profession that is more inclusive, more just, and more reflective of the society it serves, thanks to the dedication, courage, and vision of these remarkable black women.
