Amy Clowrey of Switalskis and Charlotte Parkinson of Addleshaw Goddard have been elected to the chair and vice chair roles of the Law Society’s Junior Lawyers Division (JLD).
Clowrey (pictured, left), the new chair of the JLD, is a child abuse lawyer at Yorkshire firm Switalskis. Parkinson, the new vice chair, is a director at Leeds Law Society and a commercial disputes associate at Addleshaw Goddard in Leeds.
“We work behind the scenes, campaigning and lobbying on issues affecting junior lawyers including responding to consultations that affect our members and the wider profession,” Clowrey explained. “We also organise regional and London-based training and networking events, build upon relations with bar organisations in other jurisdictions and generally offer guidance and support for members.”
Parkinson said the JLD will have three big focuses for their term: “They are technology, mental health and wellbeing, and the new SQE. I want to have a voice at the table to ensure our profession maintains a strong future outlook. The next two years will be key for the development of training and education of solicitors in England and Wales.”
She added: “One policy I would like to progress over the next 12 to 24 months is in relation to technology. Having recently read Richard Susskind’s Tomorrow’s Lawyers, I believe the JLD should be supporting all junior lawyers in understanding how our profession might change in the future and how best junior lawyers can position themselves for these changes.”
Commenting on Clowrey’s election as chair, David Greenwood, director and head of the child abuse department at Switalskis, said: “Switalskis Solicitors is very proud of Amy’s work with the JLD and we continue to encourage and support her role there. Her focus and hard work are sure to improve the outlook for new solicitors and junior lawyers across England and Wales, which will benefit the industry as a whole.”
Parkinson concluded: “I believe the new chair, Amy Clowrey, and I will make a great team as we are both 100% committed to the role and care about our profession. Amy is at the five-years PQE end of membership, working in legal aid, while I have just completed my training contract and am encountering all the new issues that come with being an NQ in a large commercial law firm. Together we will offer a strong voice for junior lawyers and ensure the right issues are considered to develop and future proof our profession.”
