Anything is possible with hardwork

Baroness Patricia Scotland was born in Dominica in 1955. After graduating with LLB Hons (London), Baroness Scotland was called to the Bar, Middle Temple, in 1977, she received Silk in 1991 and became a Bencher in 1997. Appointed as Attorney General by Prime Minister Gordon Brown on 28th June 2007, the Rt Hon Baroness Scotland QC is the first female and ethnic minority person to hold the post.

“The order went White Male, Black Male, White Female, Black Female. That might have been a totally incorrect perception, but that was the perception then,” recalls Baroness Scotland of when she started at the Bar. Now the foremost legal advisor to the Government as Attorney General of England and Wales, she has successfully fought against these perceptions. One of her priorities is to encourage young BME students looking to go into the legal profession. Here she gives advice to young people with an interest in Law.

BHM: Can you tell me about our “Less talk, More Action” bi-annual event.
Baroness Scotland: The event aims to give legal professionals from all across the UK the chance to meet and exchange ideas, but more importantly, offers BME students the opportunity to meet role models. The event aims to inspire young students that anything they set their mind to was possible, as long as they work hard.

BHM: Can you describe how attitudes have changed since you were fist called to the Bar in the 70s?
Baroness Scotland: When I came to the Bar, someone was telling me ‘The Bar is dead’. There was no future and certainly there was no future for someone who was black or female. This is in no way meant to belittle the battles students face today, but that being successful in the legal profession will always be a question of resilience and courage and determination.

BHM: In the light of Obama’s historic victory in the USA, what is your view of a black Prime Minister making it into No 10?
Baroness Scotland: We are living in an age where anything is possible with hard work. So when people ask if we’ll see a black Prime Minister in our lifetime, I say: “why not?”

BHM: What would be your key advice to minority graduates/young professionals who are pursuing a career in the legal profession?
Baroness Scotland: Work hard. Nothing worth achieving is easy. Never let anybody else’s issues hold you back or become your burden and don’t be afraid to believe in yourself, your dreams and talents. I would also recommend every single law student to get involved with a law clinic at university. And if their university hasn’t got one, I recommended that they go and make one. Most universities that have done this have seen that those who participate in law clinics do about 25% better than anybody else.”

BHM: What would you say were the four key qualities you had or still have which helped you to succeed in a career in Law?
Baroness Scotland: Passion, courage, strength and resilience.