Female Supremacy Articles - Page 12

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'My generation learned that women can do what men do,' says Kelsey, 24, who graduated from Oxford with a degree in jurisprudence before gaining a pupillage and finally being called to the Bar.

'Future generations will learn that they can do what men do, but as women, rather than having to act like men. Certain strengths which are seen as feminine strengths - empathy, communication - are huge assets in criminal and family law.'

The daughter of a legal secretary, Kelsey says that the flexibility and challenge of life in chambers appealed: 'Few professions offer that combination of the benefits of self-employment, with the structure and support of working for chambers. Your career is what you make it - if you need to work fewer days a week, you can.'

The legal world remains divided by gender: while women tend to dominate criminal law, commercial law - often better paid - remains a male preserve. But while Kelsey doesn't think the idea of 'having it all' - a demanding job and a family - is particularly helpful, she points out that life involves choices for both men and women: 'You have to work out for yourself what you value and I sometimes pity men, as it is perhaps less accepted for them to choose the more family orientated route and work less - whereas women can do either.'