Birmingham-based barrister Grace Rose Gwynne is one of the youngest barristers in the UK after being called to the Bar at just 21 years old. Grace is a media broadcaster appearing regularly on TV, radio and podcasts and writing columns for national newspapers. Now aged just 28 Grace is working at one of the leading Chambers in the country where she practices family law, personal injury and clinical negligence.
She has also practised law in the US, where she worked as an attorney for several litigation firms specialising in criminal defence, most notably dealing with firearms offences and drug trafficking. The young, inspiring lawyer and TV broadcaster was propelled into the public eye after speaking out about the sexist and ageist prejudices she has experienced as a young female junior barrister working in a male-dominated profession.
Grace has recently delivered a Ted Talk about her experiences at the Bar called "Fighting For A Place In The Old Boys Club".Despite becoming an inspiring barrister at such a young age, it has not been an easy road for Grace – working in one of the most competitive professions in the world with thousands of applicants applying for each role, Grace has faced immense challenges and competition to reach where she is today. Now, taking these lessons of resilience to teams, Grace talks candidly about the drive, tenacity, ambition and motivation required to be the best of the best. Grace was the first person in her family to go to university and was not Oxbridge-educated. Her many challenges only made Grace even more determined to follow her dream and achieve it.
Grace has proved that women can succeed in a male-dominated profession and advocates for more young female representation at the Bar. Grace is now writing a book about her experiences to encourage and inspire other young women to become barristers, too. Grace says: "I am writing this book for my 21-year-old self as a guidebook to give an insight into the realities of the Junior Bar. Despite the challenges and the hurdles I have faced, the Bar needs more young, talented women, and I am a huge advocate for that, and I will push that message as far as I can."
Grace Rose Gwynne discusses her journey and challenges in breaking into male-dominated fields, advocating for gender equality and inclusivity in traditionally exclusive spaces.
Grace has spoken in the media frequently over the last few years about gender inequality in the workplace, and the sexism and ageism challenges she has faced as a young female barrister. Grace speaks eloquently about this in a Ted Talk called Fighting for A Place in the Old Boys Club. Grace has proved women can succeed in a male-dominated profession and she is advocating for more young female representation at the Bar. Grace is now writing a book about her experiences: to try to encourage and inspire other young women to become barristers too. Her advocacy for gender equality in the legal profession serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of fostering an inclusive environment. Grace has also launched a national campaign about revenge porn, to remove the word Revenge from the name of the crime, to help de-stigmatise victims.
Grace, a young female barrister, has faced significant challenges at the Bar, where resilience has been crucial. Despite the intense competition in this demanding profession, she has emerged as an inspiring figure. Grace, the first in her family to attend university and not Oxbridge-educated, has overcome ageism and sexism, which have only fueled her determination. She shares her personal lessons on resilience, discussing the drive, tenacity, ambition, and motivation needed to excel. Attendees will learn from Grace's experiences about the importance of resilience and the qualities required to succeed in a highly competitive field.
Grace is a dynamic, impactful and motivational public speaker: a powerhouse that will ignite the fire within your audience. Her captivating storytelling and transformative insights inspire and motivate teams. As well as her very moving and motivational Ted Talk, Grace has given many inspiring presentations for major brands and companies both in the UK and the US. As well as being able to give top tips on how to deliver amazing unforgettable presentations, as a former professional actor, Grace is well used to conquering stage fright and can give advice on how to conquer anxiety when speaking publicly and how to turn stress into a positive.
Grace has faced numerous professional and personal rejections, but she understands the importance of a growth mindset and viewing challenges as opportunities. Despite years of hard work to qualify as a barrister, she couldn't secure pupillage in the UK. Determined, she moved to the U.S. at 21 to specialize in criminal defense, notably in firearms and drug trafficking cases. This experience enhanced her CV, leading to her dream job upon returning to the UK. Grace's story of resilience, motivation, and hard work will empower attendees to overcome challenges and achieve extraordinary results.
