Birmingham Law Society has made history on 28 July when it swore in its first Adventist president in the association's 202-year history. Seventh-day Adventist church member Inez Brown is a partner at Medical Accident Group, part of West Midlands practice, Harrison Clark Rickerbys, and will now commence a one-year tenure as the Society's president.
She began her career as a legal secretary before joining Anthony Collins in 2002 as a trainee and then qualified in clinical negligence. After 11 years with the firm, Ms Brown moved to Harrison Clark Rickerbys to develop and expand its clinical negligence team and now specialises in all types of claims including birth and brain injuries and is a member of Action for Victims of Medical Accidents.
When interviewed by Business Life journal, Inez Brown said, "the world is in a period of huge re-adjustment economically, politically and socially. She also added, "I'm excited to be taking over the presidency and support the continued growth and development of the Birmingham Law Society at this time. I'm also supremely proud to be the first black woman in this esteemed position in its 202-year history."
In developing her strategic plans for the year ahead, Inez Brown said she would focus on three key themes during her presidency. 1) keep flexible working at the top of the agenda among the Society's membership, especially in relation to areas such as productivity, cyber security and how agile working means different things to different people. 2) to arrange meetings between technology companies and law firms which already have a tech team or wish to move into this field. She also wishes to 3) set up a scheme to identify two talented students from disadvantaged backgrounds who might benefit from a programme to enter the legal profession.
In responding to her appointment, NEC President Pastor Richard Jackson said,
"The Seventh-day Adventist church in the British Isles, is blessed to have members working within a plethora of industries, at various levels. This week however I was honoured and proud to hear that Inez Brown, NEC Executive Committee member, was appointed as the President of the Birmingham Law Society.
This appointment is historic for two reasons; this is the first time in the Society’s 200 year history that a black president has been appointed, however it cannot be ignored that Inez is also the first female black person to appointed into this role. The legal profession has had a history of being a male dominated profession and so this appointment is ground-breaking for two reasons.
As a formidable member of the NEC Executive Committee, Inez has provided us with invaluable advice and support in the context of her role for which we are grateful. The Committee joins with Inez’s family and friends in celebrating this historic achievement. We know that this appointment will be a source of inspiration across the NEC."
See here for the full article in the Business Life.
