Next 100 Voices

spotlight on women leaders in law

Next 100 Years and series sponsor, Irwin Mitchell, are championing those in positions of leadership to encourage the next generation of aspiring lawyers to pursue their ambitions.

In this series of Next 100 Voices, 10 emerging leaders in law from minority backgrounds and a cross-section of the profession – private practice, in-house, the Bar and the judiciary –  share how they got to where they are now, what they are doing to change their area of the profession, and what lessons they can give to the next generation.

Voice No.1: Abimbola Johnson

Abimbola Johnson is a criminal defence barrister at 25 Bedford Row with a focus on serious crime, professional discipline and inquiry work.

Last year, the National Police Chief’s Council enlisted Abimbola to chair a new independent scrutiny and oversight board to help tackle the lower levels of confidence between Black and minority ethnic groups, and the police.

Voice No.2: Ariel White-Tsimikalis

Ariel White-Tsimikalis is a partner in Goodwin Proctor’s Technology and Life Sciences group and Capital Markets practice. 

As one of only a handful of black female partners at a top law firm in the UK, Ariel  is passionate about contributing to a stronger pipeline of diverse lawyers in the legal profession and is therefore particularly active in the Diversity & Inclusion space both within her firm and externally as well as part of her broader ESG practice.