Bethany Walker

Bethany has supported aspiring and junior lawyers since 2021, when elected to the Surrey Junior Lawyers Division (SJLD) Committee as the universities and colleges representative.

Bethany created the position herself to adopt an active role in bridging the gap between aspiring lawyers and junior lawyers in Surrey.

She recognised the absence of this structured support, given aspiring solicitors are not eligible to be members of the Law Society, emphasising the importance of the work of local JLDs and the national JLD in guiding the next generation of solicitors into the profession.

Bethany was then elected as the SJLD chair (2023/24) and immediate past chair (2024/25).

Through her work on our Council, Bethany will be advocating for and working towards:

1. continuing to bridge the gap between aspiring and qualified solicitors and supporting work improving access to the legal profession, including addressing issues around the Solicitors Qualifying Examination
2. addressing burnout and talent retention of junior solicitors
3. working on initiatives supporting the mental wellbeing of both aspiring and junior solicitors

Bethany also sits as a committee member of our Membership and Communications Committee.

She represents the voice of junior members and advocates for the needs of aspiring solicitors set to enter the profession.