Elaine Banton

I grew up on a council estate in Hackney, and by age 7 was determined to become a barrister. This may have been influenced by what I noticed around me on the estate a sense of need for social justice. There were some extremely difficult times but, on that estate, I answered back and at school, I stood up for others. I learned to be independent, strong, and fearless all qualities that I have utilised well at the bar.

I held fast to that dream and the more I researched the career, the more it appealed to me. In my state comprehensive school, beset by funding issues, I remember being asked to slow down as my careers adviser took notes on how to qualify as a barrister, from me.

My mother, often working around the clock, was a powerful orator, active in her trade union, striking for better terms and conditions for nurses. As a young teenager, I assisted her and colleagues to successfully appeal their nursing grades. I recall compiling a detailed chart logging all the tasks she undertook at work. These were steps to ameliorate historic systemic disparities with black nurses undertaking the work of senior nurses but not being paid at the applicable grade (which stemmed from both the prescriptive and restrictive nature of their recruitment during the Windrush era). I later appreciated, looking back, that this was my first employment law win. Hence the synergy of this year's 75-year anniversary of both Windrush and the NHS resonates strongly with me, in the light of my mother's 40-year nursing career.

Role models were relatively hard to come by then, but I had the good fortune of being introduced to Courtenay Griffiths KC, before he took silk, when aged about 17. Later, attending his silks party, the support and inspiration he gave in equal measure has been something I have endeavoured to give back throughout my career, to thank the many who have generously assisted me along the way.

My role as co-chair of the equality, diversity and social mobility committee in helping to facilitate initiatives, responding to consultation, and advising on bar council policy under the auspices of access, retention and progression for women and underrepresented groups, helping to shift the dial in equality and diversity, is most rewarding. As is working with barristers from differing practice areas, other committee chairs, stakeholders, and meeting office holders such as the director of public prosecutions, attorney general etc. While taking the opportunity to discuss diversity generally.

My wide and varied practice with a theme of equality, (particularly in the financial sector) encompasses matters such as disability, fertility, pregnancy, maternity, race, equal pay, and menopause. Pro bono work can be particularly rewarding, such as advice and advocacy given in an employment matter involving sexual trauma.

I recently gave evidence in parliament to the joint committee on human rights in the inquiry into human rights at work, alongside esteemed academics, debated the cab rank rule when speaking in Amsterdam at the Federation des Barreaux d'Europe and attended the CSW 67 as a delegate for un women uk. The international facets and richness of my work at the bar has undoubtedly led me to a variety of stimulating people and activities, from differing fields, with a compelling expansive opportunity for a wider reach.

My involvement with the arts (chair of Talawa Theatre and member of Sadlers Wells Development Council) has also traversed thematic issues of diversity as well as the opportunity to work with talented creative individuals. From a board leadership perspective, there was much to learn by helping to steer a theatre through the rigours of lockdown. I have also brought these insights gleaned to representing national arts institutions and performers, and recently presented to a senior group of theatre and arts executive directors on gender critical theory.

Despite facing numerous challenges, overcoming obstacles, such as rejection, builds strength and resilience which I can attest, will serve you well during your career. Such as my appetite for appellate work stemming from my first early court of appeal group win, unled, and owed entirely to that fearlessness instilled within me.

My advice to students is to take all the opportunities that present, to utilise their time at the inn well, get involved and make connections. Attending courts and tribunals as often as you can, even outside the confines of a mini-pupillage is useful, observing a variety of advocacy styles, and discerning what is effective. Becoming comfortable in these spaces will serve you well.

Em Lawton

Being a black, disabled woman means that advocacy has always been a huge part of my life. For me, it's a survival skill. I was fortunate enough to be good at it, which is why I decided to become a barrister.

Growing up, I never saw any lawyers who looked like me. Representation was so poor that my inspiration, (Elle Woods from Legally Blonde) was a fictional character who was almost the complete antithesis of who I am. I do a lot of outreach work with children and young people, and it is always such an honour to be told that I have inspired them in some way. I didnt have that, so such comments motivate me to keep going.

To any aspiring barristers out there: be yourself. Stay true to who you are, remember where you have come from but focus on where you are going.

HHJ Judy Khan KC

I didn't initially consider being a barrister. I did a law degree because I thought it was versatile; I had initially considered being a lecturer. I applied for bar school and, thereafter, pupillage to keep my options open. I was offered pupillage, but I wasn't going to take it up because of my concerns about discrimination (class, race, and gender), but my dad read me the riot act. He said the only person defeating me would be myself if I did not go for it. Fortunately, when I started pupillage, I loved it and I have never looked back.

My biggest general inspiration was wanting to do the very best I could for each client. My biggest personal inspiration was Courtenay Griffiths kc, who encouraged me to apply to Garden Court Chambers in 1996. He is also from a working-class background and of Caribbean origin. He made me realise that I could belong, and even succeed, in this profession.

My parents came from the Caribbean in the late 50s as part of the Windrush generation. My father came from Trinidad and my mother came from Barbados. My father worked nights for London Transport and my mum came here to train to be a nurse.

My generation was the first on both sides of the family to study to university/degree level. I was state school educated at a comprehensive school in Brent.

I was called to the bar in 1989 and appointed as a recorder in 2007. I was appointed as a QC in 2010 and appointed as a senior circuit judge at the central criminal court this year.

When I look back on my early days at the bar, I felt very different to many of my peers due to my background and ethnicity. Happily, the bar has gradually become much more diverse and is very much more inclusive than it was when I started out.

Overall, my experience at the bar was extremely positive. I loved the fact that no two days were the same and I have always found criminal cases hugely interesting. I enjoyed representing defendants and giving them a voice.

In the very early years, I found it difficult when I felt that I didn't quite fit in. Sometimes things were said or done which were likely to have been based on prejudice. There were occasions when people said things that were overtly discriminatory, and I would challenge them. Otherwise, I just got on with working hard and trying to do the job and each case to the best of my ability.

I also suffered (indeed, still suffer) from imposter syndrome although this wasn't a recognised thing when I started out. I have mostly dealt with that by working hard so that I am always properly prepared for any given day and by cultivating some self-belief.