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Charity Mafuba talks to Ella Watts, Legal Assessment Specialist at Lawhive, and Founder of Ladies of Law about her legal career and why she founded Ladies of Law.
Ella, can you please tell us about your career journey?
Funnily enough, I originally wanted to be a marine biologist when I was younger! But I discovered law during my A-Levels and immediately realised it was something I both enjoyed and had a knack for. That led me to complete my LLB at Swansea University, followed by the Legal Practice Course (LPC). I started my legal career as a paralegal working in brain injury claims, but after two years, I found myself searching for something more fulfilling. That’s when I moved into legal recruitment, which I did enjoy—I’m a natural networker and loved helping people secure roles that could shape their careers. Still, I felt something was missing. Around that time, I had already started Ladies of Law and realised how much potential there was to make an impact in the legal space in a different way. Then I came across Lawhive, a legal tech startup, and joined them. Now, I get to work at the forefront of innovation in the legal field, helping both clients and lawyers, and it feels like everything has come full circle.
What does your current role as Legal Assessment Specialist at Lawhive entail?
In my role, I speak to potential clients daily to understand their legal needs and match them with the right lawyer for their case. I tell them all about Lawhive and how we can help them. It’s varied, fast-paced, and people-focused, which I love. Every day is different—I get to engage with a wide range of legal areas, and I’m always learning. I also support new starters and assist other areas of the business where I can, which keeps things exciting and collaborative.
What led you to form Ladies of Law?
It sounds a bit cliché, but the idea quite literally came to me in a dream. I dreamt of a room full of women connecting, sharing, and inspiring each other—and I somehow knew it was my event. When I woke up, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I spent six months researching and planning and quickly uncovered how much inequality still exists within the legal industry. I knew I wanted to create a space where women could feel supported, seen, and inspired in their legal careers—regardless of where they started or where they’re headed.
Can you please tell us about Ladies of Law?
Ladies of Law is a UK-wide community supporting women in the legal field at all stages of their careers. Whether someone is fresh out of university or a career changer, we celebrate every unique journey into law. We advocate for equality, diversity, and social mobility, while also showcasing different paths into the profession. What started in 2022 as an online community has grown to nearly 50,000 followers and now includes in-person networking events, mentoring, and collaborations with partners who share our values. We’re powered by an amazing team of volunteers and ambassadors who help us reach and empower even more women across the UK.
With a full-time job and running a UK-wide community, how do you achieve and maintain a healthy work, life balance?
It definitely takes planning and organisation! I dedicate specific days for Ladies of Law work and try to stay organised, so I don’t get overwhelmed. Working at a startup is fast-paced, and sometimes I’ll take meetings during lunch breaks or evenings, and occasionally work weekends too. But I also make sure to take time for things I enjoy outside of work—it’s so important to avoid burnout. I’m lucky to have an incredible team of volunteers who help with everything from content creation to event planning, which makes all the difference.
Can you please tell us more about the upcoming Ladies of Law Legal Road Trip on which you have partnered up with The University of law?
We’re incredibly excited about the summer legal road trip! When The University of Law approached us with the idea, we were thrilled—they’ve been so supportive and truly believe in our mission. Together, we’ve organised a three-city event across Manchester, Birmingham, and London. Each event will feature inspiring talks, networking opportunities, and of course, some great goodies. It’s all about connecting and empowering women in law across the UK and celebrating the diversity of journeys into the profession.
How do you decide on which organisations to partner up with Ladies of Law?
We’re always open to conversations with organisations that are genuinely interested in learning more about what we do. I believe that openness to opportunity is one reason we’ve grown so quickly. That said, we’re intentional about who we partner with. We always ask ourselves: Does this align with our mission? Will this partnership genuinely benefit our community? We begin with a conversation to ensure the values align—our goal is to build long-term, supportive relationships that uplift our members.
What advice would you give to women in law who are considering forming organisations of their own, just like you did with Ladies of Law?
Go for it—if you’re passionate about something, that’s your sign to start. Don’t wait until everything feels perfect; just start small and grow from there. Be prepared to put in the time, and surround yourself with people who share your vision. Authenticity and consistency are key. And finally, be open to learning along the way—you don’t need to know everything to get started, but you do need to believe in your mission.
What does the future hold for the Ladies of Law?
We’ve already achieved so much, but there’s so much more to come. We want to expand our reach even further, create more in-person opportunities across the UK, and launch new initiatives that offer even more practical support—whether that’s mentorship, workshops, or advocacy. Long-term, we hope to be a key voice in shaping a more equitable and inclusive legal profession.
What does the future hold for you?
Personally, I’m excited to continue growing with Lawhive and exploring new ways to support clients and legal professionals through technology. At the same time, I’ll always be dedicated to Ladies of Law and its mission. As both the legal industry and my career evolve, I hope to keep blending innovation with impact—bringing people together, breaking down barriers, and helping women realise their potential in law.
Ella Watts
Legal Assessment Specialist
Lawhive
Founder of Ladies of Law
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ella-watts-2b2408158/
July 25
Interviewed by Charity Mafuba
Commissioning Editor,
Solicitor (England and Wales), New York Attorney