Our brilliant former mentor Iona is a barrister based in London. She’s supported us to run two inspiring Law Conferences, with another planned for later this year. She is keen to help the girls and young women we work with to explore careers in the legal sector and connect with and learn from women who have chosen this path. In this blog, Iona shares a little of her own journey into law, along with more about the conferences. You can also catch her in conversation with our ambassadors in our recent Women in Law online workshop and being interviewed by ambassador Khushi. 

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I’m Iona Gallagher, a barrister at New Court Chambers in London. I specialise in family law and cases involving children. But my journey to the Bar wasn’t straightforward - and it certainly wasn’t something I imagined growing up.

I’m the first in my family to enter the legal profession. I went to secondary school in Ireland where studying Law for A-levels was not an option. When I started my law degree I didn’t know anyone in the field. Building my career meant figuring things out alone - networking, working different jobs, and asking questions that seem small but matter hugely, like what to wear to an interview or how to write a scholarship application. I would ask anyone who had legal connection whatsoever if I could come along and shadow them for a day. I used my annual leave days from my paralegal job to gain more experience. I’m so pleased that there are a lot more mentoring schemes and organisations to support people pursuing a career in law.

Money was a major barrier for me, to study the Bar course back when I did it was around £14,000. I was awarded an £18,000 scholarship from Inner Temple to cover all of my fees and contribute towards my rent. I studied the course full-time, I also worked part-time at a cookie shop and volunteered with a charity that supported people going through the court process alone. Without that scholarship becoming a barrister would not have been possible. That opportunity changed my life.

Today, alongside advising clients and advocating for children, parents, and local authorities in court, I also do Pro Bono work where I support people who can’t afford to pay for a lawyer. Recently, I won Advocate’s Young Pro Bono Barrister of the Year. I was very surprised to win and I had a really lovely evening celebrating!

Giving back has always been at the heart of my journey. I became a mentor with The Girls’ Network in 2019 because I know how overwhelming big life decisions can feel without guidance. Supporting young women through those steps has been one of the most rewarding parts of my career.

In 2022, I partnered with The Girls' Network Ambassador Community to create our first Women in Law Day.  What started as online workshops has now grown into an annual, in-person conference - first at Middle Temple, then Inner Temple, and this year at Gray’s Inn.

Read more about our Women In Law Conference in October 2024 here. 

The Women in Law day brings together barristers, solicitors, judges, and apprentices to meet girls from The Girls’ Network. Through talks, workshops, and debates, we answer real questions like:

• How do you start a legal career?

• What’s the difference between a solicitor and a barrister?

• What should you wear to an interview?

Most importantly, it shows girls that the legal profession is a space where they belong - by meeting lawyers who share their backgrounds and experiences.

We’re proud to be hosting our third Women in Law Day this October 2025 and if you want to get involved please email [email protected] 

I'm excited to continue working with The Girls’ Network to open more doors for the next generation of changemakers in law.

Watch Iona chat to our ambassadors about careers in law here.

Watch ambassador Khushi interview Iona about her career here.

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Huge thanks to Iona for her ongoing support, enthusiasm and for helping us to plan for another brilliant event later this year. Look out for more on this soon and if you'd like to join us email our Ambassador Community Lead: [email protected]