Shoes of #forwardthinkers

February’s Table of Twelve followed in the footsteps of the January launch. The second of a monthly roundtable debate, discussion and brainstorm for #forwardthinking women in law. Open to all women at any stage of their career as well as women who provide expert services to the legal sector. An inclusive forum for an eclectic mix of #forwardthinkers including:

• Paralegals, Associates to Partners
• Lawyers who have made the leap to become self serving practitioners, consultants or started their own signature practice 
• Pupils, Barristers & Judges
• Tailors to Marketors, PRs to Social Media Mavens & experts in all aspects of branding - both personal & professional

Footprints Worth Following Before February’s Table of Twelve all #forwardthinkers were sent a questionnaire. To ensure everyone’s voice was heard around the table. To get insights into what they thought about challenges they felt were facing the legal sector. And to find out whose shoes they would like to try for size by shadowing them for a week and following their footsteps.

Five Wonder Women with Extra-shoe-appeal The range of responses were as wide as they was broad. They included inspiring women known personally, to personalities from within the sector to wonder women who have made their mark by becoming household names on the global stage.

Pioneering. A word that encapsulates the spirit behind the shoe. Dana Denis-Smith is quite a rare combination of high flying ex-lawyer and journalist, with an unbelievable entrepreneurial backbone.

She founded Obelisk Support to offer an alternative option to City lawyers (especially mothers) who had a desire for work flexibility. Way ahead of its time. Dana Denis-Smith also founded The First 100 Years. A groundbreaking history project to celebrate the 100 year journey of #forwardthinking women in law. The colourful stories of those pioneering female lawyers has been charted and archived by a dedicated team of enthusiasts to represent a living testimony to the women who stepped up to join the profession.

Troubleshooting. This is what Caroline Bielanska does on behalf law firms handling some of the most complex cases involving aged-&-vulnerable clients. The media regularly beat a path to her doorstep for comment, feedback and insights. Rooted in years of experience. Coupled with wide knowledge of the sector.

Solicitor, Mediator, Trainer, Independent Consultant, Former Chief Executive and former Chair of Solicitors for the Elderly, an organisation she helped to found in 1999. She’s a prolific writer and has been awarded a raft of awesome accolades including:

• Winner of the Trusted Advisor Award 2017
• Winner of the Vulnerable Client Practice Award 2017
• Finalist of the Vulnerable Client Practice Award 2018 and 2019

Bearing witness. At 19, Helen Bamber went to Belsen to help Holocaust survivors. She then dedicated her life to victims of torture - and attracted an A-list fan club along the way. Renowned for her lifetime pursuit of human rights for those who faced the worst kinds of inhumanity, she died at the age of 89 in 2014. But her legacy lives at The Helen Bamber Foundation.

The Foundation is a human rights charity that supports refugees and asylum seekers who are the survivors of extreme human cruelty. The charity delivers a wide range of integrated services that address the complex needs-&-vulnerabilities of survivors. It would be no exaggeration to say that thousands of men and women from all over the world owe this woman their lives. Their livelihoods. And their sanity.

Inspiring. Even before her rise to fame - as she was catapulted into the spotlight and became the first African American First Lady of the United States - Michelle Obama was already an accomplished lawyer, writer and community activist. Her rather unique mix of talents and accomplishments have made her a role model for millions of women around the world

Everyone has a story worth sharing. Becoming published in 2018 is Michelle Obama’s story. She describes it as as a deeply personal experience, under the pose of normalcy amidst a life that’s anything but normal. Her debut memoir talks about her roots, how she found her voice, her public health campaign her role as a mother as well as her time in the White House when she stepped outside the traditional First Lady stereotype.

Prolific. Grammy award-winning singer, songwriter, style icon, makeup entrepreneur Robyn Rihanna Fenty is also at the helm of a major luxury fashion house with a lingerie brand Savage x Fenty. An avid supporter of social enterprises and charities inspired her to launch The BELIEVE Foundation in 2006 to help terminally ill children.

Rihanna lives life in the fast lane. A true talent. The ultimate bundle of beauty-&-brains. An intuitive business women. A real #forwardthinker who understands that stepping into the shoes of her fans creates true fans. As a result she has been able to seamlessly integrate herself into their lives to such an extent the thought of not having a hint of Rihanna in their world would leave a massive void.

Forward thinkers think differently The common thread behind these five wonder women with extra-shoe appeal, is that they are all prolific, passionate and compassionate. Which resonated with everyone who attended February's Table of Twelve. They've all risen to challenges and each embraced a personal crusade that opened doors to new horizons.

If you could step into her shoes and shadow one professional woman you admire for one week who would it be and why?

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There’s nothing quite as energising and thought provoking as finding yourself in a room of like-minded-like-minds. If you’re a #forwardthinker and would like to connect with other #forwardthinking women in law then you should take a seat at a Table of Twelve. Which will be resurrected later in 2021 once the world has regained an element of equilibrium.

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Hela Wozniak-Kay @TotallyHela is an Uber-Connectress. A charismatic catalyst who connects trailblazing women brimming with entrepreneurial spirit. She is one half of the double act who runs Sister Snog. A business club for remarkable female founders. Sister Snog is one of the supporters of the Women in Law Awards 2020 & Hela has been invited to join the Panel of Judges for the awards.

Many moons ago Hela studied Law then spent a year figuring out if a career at the Bar was for her. It wasn't. However she took her branding expertise and worked on the rebrand of two law firms. So she has an insight into the nuances, idiosyncrasies and culture of the legal landscape.

Over the years she's witnessed a significant shift in the aspirations and ambitions of many Women in Law. Table of Twelve is a round table forum that brings them together.

If you have any questions or queries about Table of Twelve drop me an email : Hela@totallyhela.me