Reports consistently show that women remain underrepresented in senior positions and law firm leadership worldwide. Globally, only two in ten law firm leaders are women, and just a quarter of firms make public commitments to gender equality. At Max Engel Solicitors, we go much further and are proud to be living a different reality. As of mid-May 2026, we are once again (unintentionally) a fully female law firm.
Helen Carville and Sara Lawson both exemplify the culture of opportunity and progression at our firm. They joined Max Engel straight after university as trainees, having worked here and proved their value in placements during their studies. Today, Helen serves as Managing Partner, and Sara is the other Partner and Head of Residential Conveyancing. They are assisted in the management of the firm by Rebecca Walker as Head of Private Client and Tara Kelly as Office Manager. This demonstrates that talent, dedication and leadership are and have always been recognised and nurtured, regardless of gender.
Our team spans across a broad age range, from early twenties to late fifties, representing women at all different stages of life and career. Many of us have children and caring responsibilities, and we juggle work with other aspects of life with the support of our colleagues. This diversity is a strength: it enriches our mentoring, informs how we approach client work and ensures a breadth of perspectives in communication and decisions. Equality here at Max Engel is not aspirational; it’s operational. Leadership decisions, mentorship, career progression and client service are all shaped by ability and potential rather than gender or life stage, or indeed any other personal characteristic.
Unlike some firms which market inclusive credentials while failing to deliver in practice, we genuinely live the values we promote. Many organisations “work towards” equality, and even then, only in theory; here at Max Engel, it is tangible and visible. By sharing our story, we hope to inspire other firms to consider how real change can be achieved when equality is central to culture and leadership.
Being a women-led firm is more than a milestone. It’s a statement about what is possible when organisations commit to genuine inclusivity. It influences how we mentor the next generation of solicitors, how we structure leadership opportunities and how we serve our clients. Our experience shows that equality and excellence are not mutually exclusive; they reinforce each other.
We pride ourselves on the fact that our equality is visible, practised and effective. From our trainees in their early twenties to our support staff in their fifties, our team reflects the full spectrum of women’s experiences in the profession. Helen and Sara’s journeys from trainees to partners are proof that gender and life stage should never be barriers to your ambition. In an industry too often dominated by negative statistics and headlines, we are proud to share a positive story of leadership, progression, and inclusivity in action.
In the meantime, please note that we do remain open to applications from all genders!
Read more here about female-led law firms: https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/just-two-in-10-law-firm-leaders-are-women-global-report/5125858.article
