With this year’s theme being #AccelerateAction, we want to highlight the steps women at the Bar are taking to drive change and the work that still needs to be done. This International Women’s Day, Cobden House Chambers highlights the experiences of the talented women who have shaped our chambers—overcoming challenges, breaking barriers, and inspiring future generations of legal professionals. Sharon Leene, Bethany Pitt, Chetna Parmar, and Stefanie Cochrane share their insights on resilience, mentorship, and the ongoing journey toward equality in the legal profession.
Sharon Leene’s journey as a barrister has been shaped by perseverance and confidence. Early in her career, she found herself in the midst of a high-stakes Crown Court trial—a "baptism by fire" that tested her skills and resilience. “It was intimidating at first, especially as a woman in a male-dominated space,” Sharon admits. “But I soon realised that if you show up and do your job well, confidence follows.”
Over time, Sharon has witnessed positive changes in the legal profession, particularly the growing representation of women at the junior bar. However, she acknowledges that progress is still needed at senior levels. “The Bar is becoming more inclusive, but I look forward to seeing even more women in senior judicial positions,” she says.
Beyond her own career, Sharon is committed to supporting the next generation of female barristers, encouraging them to step forward with confidence. “Don’t let anyone make you feel like you don’t belong. Work hard, keep pushing forward, and trust that persistence will pay off.”
Bethany Pitt’s journey to the Bar was influenced by her upbringing as the daughter of foster carers “As foster carers, my parents inspired me to become a barrister. I have grown up with many foster siblings, and I was always interested in the legal route of how the children were placed into our home,” she shares.
While she explored other careers, Bethany always felt drawn back to the Bar. Her journey wasn’t without challenges—at times, she found it difficult to access opportunities and didn’t always fit the traditional expectations of a barrister. “I pushed through knowing this was the career I wanted to pursue, and it is the best decision I ever made.”
For young women starting out in law, Bethany’s advice is to explore all areas of the Bar and not be intimidated by fields where men have traditionally been the majority. “Try to get as much experience in different specialty areas, including those you don’t expect yourself to enjoy—you might be surprised,” she encourages. She hopes that increased representation will empower more women to pursue careers at the Bar with confidence.
For Chetna Parmar, becoming a barrister was a natural progression, but balancing her career with family life has been a significant challenge. “I love my job and have always been very passionate about it despite the challenging hours, I’ve been fortunate to have a Chambers that supports me as a parent,” she shares.
Chetna believes that advocating for better work-life balance within the profession is key to retaining talented women. “There is a lot more support now for women in the legal profession, particularly when it comes to balancing work and family,” she says. However, she recognises that more structural changes are needed to ensure long-term progress.
Her advice to aspiring female barristers is clear: “Know what you want, and don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t have both a successful career and a fulfilling family life. It’s not always easy, but it’s absolutely possible.” By continuing to push for flexibility and support, Chetna hopes to see a profession where women no longer feel they have to choose between success and personal commitments.
Stefanie Cochrane knew early on that she wanted to be a barrister and was determined to succeed. “Once I set my mind on a career in law, I knew it would be as a barrister,” she says. “Although law was traditionally male-dominated, by the time I was called to the Bar in 2008, it had been over 80 years since Ivy Williams and Helena Normanton QC became pioneers for women at the Bar. Their trailblazing efforts meant I could focus on being a strong candidate for pupillage, not on being a woman trying to break into the profession.”
Stefanie's belief in herself was reinforced by the inspiring women she encountered throughout her journey. “My tutor, Tracy Stobbart, was a successful barrister and someone I admired greatly, both professionally and personally,” she recalls. “In my mini-pupillages, I worked with women barristers who became my mentors not ‘women barristers,’ but just barristers who happened to be women.”
While Stefanie has been inspired by other women, she emphasizes the importance of support from everyone in the profession, regardless of gender. “I’ve had great support from both male and female colleagues, and I’ve always felt included and encouraged in my journey,” she reflects.
However, Stefanie acknowledges that more work remains. “The recent Bar Council report highlights an earnings gap across all practice areas and levels of experience. While it’s a start to have this formally recognized, we must understand why this gap exists and work toward closing it.”
Stefanie encourages others to take action in their own way. “The Bar needs to take big steps toward gender equality, but small steps are just as important. Get involved, initiate change, and make sure you’re contributing to the ongoing progress.”
The experiences of Sharon, Bethany, Chetna, and Stefanie reflect both the progress made by women in law and the work that remains. While the profession has become more inclusive, accelerating action remains essential whether through mentorship, advocating for flexible working, or increasing representation in senior roles.
As Sharon Leene puts it, “Women are on their way to senior judicial positions. It’s just a matter of time.” The achievements of these barristers and many others—serve as an inspiration for future generations, reinforcing the importance of persistence, support, and belief in one’s abilities.
At Cobden House Chambers, we celebrate the invaluable contributions of women in law and remain committed to breaking down barriers to ensure that talent and ambition can thrive, regardless of gender. Through mentorship, advocacy, and action, we continue to push forward toward lasting change.
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