My legal journey
When I started out as a paralegal in a large international law firm, the legal industry was a very different place: conservative, homogenous, traditional. While there are still pockets of the industry like that today, thankfully, things have improved considerably. Back then I was not out and, frankly, if someone had told me that one day I would be out at work I would never have believed them.
I distinctly recall attending my firm’s annual Pride lunch, under the guise of being an ally. Before the first course had even been served, I fled to my desk, ripping off my rainbow lanyard and discarding it in a potted plant. That is how much I did not want anyone to think that I might be part of the LGBTQIA community. Nobody ever said to me: 'If you come out, your career will be over.' But as one of the few Black people at my firm, I was already hyper aware that I was different to most of my colleagues and I did not want to add my sexuality into that mix.
Then I met a lesbian lawyer working at another firm. She assured me that most of her experiences of being out in the workplace had been positive. Buoyed by this revelation, I made a life-changing decision. I would start my training contract at Clifford Chance by being out. Later on, I became the firm’s LGBTQ+ trainee representative. Unfortunately, when I left Clifford Chance, I went back in the closet for a while. I mention this because coming out is not a one-time event or a linear journey.
I have now been at Hogan Lovells for almost four years and I sit on the UK Pride Network’s Steering Committee. I consider myself very fortunate that I can be out at work.
Why I founded Legally Lesbians
Looking back at when I first entered the legal industry, my Monday morning commute was routinely spent mentally rehearsing my answers to the much-dreaded question: 'What did you do at the weekend?' I was terrified of outing myself by revealing too much. I founded Legally Lesbians because I remember that being in the closet was so frightening, limiting and isolating.
The Legally Lesbians initiative involves lesbians, in the legal industry or in-house lawyers, writing about their careers and reflecting on the importance of lesbian visibility. These powerful personal stories are collected and published by DIVA, the world’s leading magazine for LGBTQ+ women and non-binary people. I have been extremely fortunate to have forewords for Legally Lesbians written by leading human rights lawyer Baroness Helena Kennedy KC, and Baroness Brenda Hale, the first female president of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom.
Another reason why I founded Legally Lesbians is because it is important to me that the legal industry is as diverse as possible. In a speech in the House of Commons in March 2014, Lord Neuberger explained that a diverse pool of candidates for judicial appointments ensures the highest quality of judges:
'Diversity is sometimes said to be the enemy of merit. I do not agree: provided that diversity is properly invoked, it is not merely consistent with merit: it reinforces merit… The more inclusiveness we have, the bigger the pool of potential judges, and the bigger that pool the higher the quality of judges.'
Highlighting some of the individuals who have taken part in the initiative
Since its inception, Legally Lesbians has included some truly incredible participants. Aderonke Apata, who took part in 2023, shared her inspirational journey. Originally from Nigeria, Aderonke was almost forcibly removed from the UK on a Home Office charter flight to Nigeria in January 2013. Her asylum claim, based on the fact that as a lesbian who had been persecuted in Nigeria her life would be in danger if she was returned there, had been rejected. Happily, in 2022, Apata was called to the bar.
Haylea Campbell, a colleague of mine at Hogan Lovells, took part in Legally Lesbians in 2024. A human rights lawyer in our pro bono team, Haylea has cultivated a varied and thriving practice. In recognition of her exceptional work, she was recently shortlisted for the Diversity Champion of the Year award at the DIVA Awards 2025.
Significantly, Legally Lesbians welcomes non-lawyers too. Georgina Court, who took part in 2024, is an equality campaigner and award-winning diversity and inclusion leader who has spent her career working in DEI roles at various law firms. You would be hard pressed to find someone as passionate about advancing diversity, equity and inclusion.
The importance of initiatives such as Legally Lesbians
On the subject of diversity in the workplace, in February 2021 the Law Society conducted a survey called 'Pride in the Law'. LGBTQ+ legal professionals and allies in the industry were invited to share their experiences.
A lack of LGBTQ+ role models at work was the most cited pressing issue for 55% of lesbian or gay women. I can certainly relate to this statistic. Indeed, I don’t think it is a coincidence that I felt a lot more comfortable being out at work when I interacted or worked with other lesbian lawyers. The importance of positive representation cannot be overstated. Without visible lesbian leaders, there is a danger of perpetuating the notion that we do not exist or that we cannot reach the upper echelons of the profession.
To date, 50 lesbians have taken part in Legally Lesbians. All these individuals are unique, yet the one trait they share is that they have progressed through their careers by displaying authenticity. There are so many brilliant LGBTQ+ people working in the legal industry today. I do not want a single one of them to feel they must hide their identity. I know how damaging and difficult that can be.
Ultimately, Legally Lesbians exists to create the representation that has been lacking for far too long, and to let ourselves and everyone else know that we are here. We are doing important work in this industry and making a valuable contribution to society. The truth is our diversity only makes us, and the legal industry as a whole, even stronger, and that is something worth celebrating.
Jacqui Rhule-Dagher is a litigation solicitor at Hogan Lovells International LLP and a member of the LGBTQ+ Solicitors Network committee
