In today's ever-evolving society, women across various professions are shattering glass ceilings and assuming leadership roles like never before. Orlagh Kelly, CEO of Briefed, is at the forefront of this movement, driving positive change for women.
Let's delve into the story of Orlagh Kelly and her inspiring efforts to champion gender equality within the legal landscape.
Orlagh Kelly - A Trailblazing CEO:
Called to the bar in 2003 she has had over a decade’s experience as a barrister and had successfully represented clients in over2,000 family law cases. After managing her own practice for years and seeing a niche in the market in 2011, she developed an innovative piece of technology to help self-employed barristers manage their entire practice online and all in one place.
Over the years, she has become a renowned authority on data protection and GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) and has helped many different industries and organisation in the UK and Ireland.
Briefed has now further evolved into a central hub for barristers and chambers to aid them in meeting their regulatory training requirements including bar-specific training in Equality,Diversity, and Inclusion to help break down barriers in all types of discrimination.
Orlagh prioritises enhancing efficiency while bridging the gender gap in the industry, ensuring that women barristers have equal opportunities for success. Her commitment to diversity and inclusivity has led her to forge this strategic partnership with HerBar.
United in Cause –HerBar x Briefed
HerBar and Briefed have joined forces, co-operatively seeking to combine technology and gender equality, envisioning a future where women barristers can excel without limitations. While hosting a live event for all members as an introduction to the HerBar ecosystem, Orlagh [Briefed] highlighted the importance of strategic networking for barristers and chambers staff. She stressed that connecting and forging key relationships with people both online and offline was paramount in ensuring further practice success.
“Developing your professional relationships and network is intrinsic to the success of your career,” Mrs Kelly stated.
“Whether that be in the hopes of advancing to KC [King’sCounsel], judiciary or leading chambers in due course.”
Strategic networking is a cornerstone of success for barristers and chambers staff. Through networking, they can secure new clients, form valuable industry relationships, and stay updated on the latest legal developments. Collaboration and partnerships with peers lead to collective expertise and shared resources. Moreover, networking paves the way for career advancement, as it results in referrals for high-profile cases and recommendations for judicial appointments.
Mentorship and guidance also play a pivotal role in the careers of barristers and chambers staff. Through networking, they can connect with experienced professionals who become their mentors, providing invaluable insights and direction. These mentors, often well-versed in the intricacies of the legal profession, offer not only technical expertise but also practical advice on career strategies, ethical considerations, and personal development.
The newly formed partnership between HerBar and Briefed holds great promise for female barristers, positioning them for success in the legal profession. HerBar's founders, Nasreen Shah and Rachel Bale, have taken a significant step forward by engaging in a personal mentorship with Orlagh Kelly. Orlagh's wealth of experience in the legal domain, coupled with Nasreen and Rachel's forward-thinking vision, presents a unique blend of knowledge and innovation. Together, they are poised to translate their shared vision of enabling women barristers to excel without limitations into a tangible reality.
This mentorship embodies the essence of the partnership's mission, where the exchange of insights, guidance, and innovation will propel female barristers toward greater success, visibility, and recognition in the profession, setting the stage for a more inclusive and equitable legal landscape.
