In conversation with… Stephanie Boyce, President of the Law Society of England and Wales

In March 2021, Stephanie Boyce made history as the first black, and only sixth female, president of the Law Society of England and Wales – the independent professional body for solicitors. During this conversation, she will discuss what she thinks are some of the challenges facing the Family Court and those working with families in and around it, reflecting on what changes are needed within the system if the experiences of children and families are to be improved.

As a Council member of the Law Society of England and Wales, Stephanie represents the Women Lawyers Division and is a member of Thomson Reuters Transforming Women’s Leadership in the Law Advisory Board. She is a member of the HM Treasury and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy commission and sits as a Commissioner on the National Preparedness Commission and the Shinkwin Commission.

In 2020 Stephanie was voted on to the Governance Hot 100 – Board Influencer and made the Power List 100 Most Influential Black People in the UK in 2021 and 2022 and awarded the 2022 Burberry British Diversity Awards-Inspirational Role Model of the Year.

Stephanie is an Honorary Professor of Law, The Dickson Poon School of Law, King’s College London. Stephanie also received the High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire ward for her leadership of the legal profession during the COVID-19 pandemic and services to equality, diversity and inclusion.

The Nuffield Family Justice Observatory aims to find and fill knowledge gaps, highlight areas where change will have the biggest impact and foster collaboration to make that change happen. Find out more here.

This new ‘In conversation with…’ series will bring you leading thinkers, experts, practitioners and those with lived experience for frank discussions on a variety of themes related to children and families in the family justice system. Questions from the audience are welcomed before and during the discussions.