Women's Committee at the Uganda Law Society

Proposal to Establish a Women's Committee at the Uganda Law Society

Justification

Despite the significant progress made in the legal profession, women still face challenges to equal opportunities for growth within the legal profession.

I propose that the Uganda Law Society (ULS) establishes a Women 's committee specifically for the purpose of promoting the standing and influence of women in the legal profession. This, among other things, will be achieved through developing assistance programs, on-line resources, networking opportunities and mentoring programs. With this forum, ULS will be enhancing the professional interests of its women members.

The Women's Committee's mandate will be :- (members can add)

1. Personal and Professional Development
   • Develop ways to support women in the legal profession to augment their professional prospects; and

• Develop business and professional confidence for women in law firms, the Judiciary, Public Service, In-House Counsel, Law Schools/Universities, NGOs and in community leadership.

1. Networking, Mentoring and Liaising Opportunities
   • Provide a forum for networking, education, mentoring and
   Information-sharing for women in the legal profession and the young women in law schools

• Co-ordinate a mentoring system and other resources for mentoring
of women in the legal profession; and

• Liaise and share resources with other legal jurisdictions, women in the judiciary, other professions, and organizations

1. Resources
   In this regard, the following resources should be developed:

• On-line resources for women members on various topics of growth– e.g growing in the profession, on setting up law firms, leadership for women lawyers, making partner, rainmaking, etc
• Access to Practice Management
• Career Development Advice
• Becoming a Judicial Officer/Judge
• Establish a Judicial Service Mentorship
• Establish a Practice Mentorship
• Establish a Corporate Counsel Mentorship
• Direct Support - in areas like; how to make partner, client and business development workshops and guidelines on effective marketing tips, etc

1. Leadership
   Create good leadership for the WLF and its continuity.

We have the annual general meeting coming up in April, I urge women lawyers to attend to vote for establishment of this committee.

Ruth Sebatindira