A Year-Long Multiplatform Global Programme From WIPR

What is WIPR Influential Women in IP, and why are we launching the project?

With issues such as the gender pay gap consistently hitting headlines, there has been a lot of negative press surrounding law firms in particular, but also within IP-focused corporations.

It can be argued that the legal sector is one of the professions which already enjoys the highest number of women within its ranks but, although women outnumber men entering the legal profession, men still greatly outnumber women in the most senior positions, in law firms as well as corporations.

The possible reasons for this state of affairs are many, varied, and debatable. One thing that is certain, however, is that whether women are starting out in practice or have reached the pinnacle of their profession, it’s essential for them to be fully aware of the hidden, as well as the obvious, hurdles they face and, more importantly, how to overcome them and flourish to the peak of their abilities.

A great deal of evidence points to material differences in the success of a firm or corporation which has women as partners or at board level. These include a greater level of overall performance, improved governance, and a better reputation for the firm or company.

At World IP Review, we want to make sure that the world knows exactly what the IP sector is doing to improve gender diversity and the steps being taken to encourage women to stay in the workplace.

Agenda

10:00

Registration & coffee in the networking area

10:30

The current landscape for women in IP: How far have we come and where are we going?

  • What are the inherent workplace subtleties and how do you manage them?
  • How to empower women in your workplace?
  • What constitutes a successful career?
  • Do women want to make Partner?
  • Developing a diversity programme: What's the value for your firm?
  • How do you measure outcomes and ROI?

11:00

What in-house counsel want

  • What are the diversity and inclusion values we look for in the law firms we work with?
  • How are corporations pushing for diversity in the legal profession?
  • How are law firms meeting these demands?

11:30

Building the career you want

  • Identifying and seizing opportunities for advancement
  • Is partnership the only option?
  • Taking the unconventional path 
  • Imposter syndrome: How to overcome it
  • Preparing for difficult conversations 
  • Returning to work

12:00

How are we actively promoting diversity in our law firms?

  • Encouraging career breaks
  • Flexible working practices 
  • LGBT best practice policies
  • Establishing women and BAME groups 
  • How to be a disability advocate 
  • How can we encourage diversity of socio-economic background

12:30

Networking lunch

13:30

Roundtable discussion groups 

The power of mentoring: How do I identify a valuable mentor and what support should I expect?

How can I empower diverse individuals in my workplace? 

Negotiating Salary: Effective tactics

How do I showcase my abilities: What works and what doesn't?

How to be an ally

Wellbeing for lawyers: How do I balance the professional with the personal?

14:15

How to be an ally

  • What does a diversity ally look like?
  • How do we get men involved?
  • How do we help the next generation of diverse lawyers to progress?
  • The benefits of mentoring and championing

14:45

Closing panel and the big questions

Venue

Join us in London for our second Influential Women in IP event of 2020.

Our second networking event of the year will give you the opportunity to reconnect with peers. 

The event will take place between 1pm and 3pm on Wednesday 24th June at America Square Conference & Events Centre, London.