Ask an ambassador: disability and social mobility
To mark Disability History Month, the fourth episode of our Ask an Ambassador podcast series is about the similarities, intersections and differences between social mobility and disability
Hosts Sam Butler and Alice Kinder are joined by fellow social mobility ambassador Lynette Weiland, to discuss personal experiences and perspectives and offer insights on how the profession can be inclusive of people from all backgrounds including;
- the impact of language
- support networks
- recognising the benefits of diversity
- fostering an inclusive culture
Episode guest
Lynette Wieland (she/her)
Lynette is a solicitor at Browne Jacobson and specialises in health and social care advisory and inquest work, advising healthcare providers and commissioners.
This includes providing guidance on the mental health law, best interests decisions in the Court of Protection and representing healthcare clients at inquests.
She received a scholarship from our Diversity Access Scheme when entering the profession, is a social mobility ambassador for the Law Society and was recently recognised as Champion of the Year by Next 100 Years.
As an advocate for social mobility, she shares her experience as a neurodivergent solicitor and as someone who took a non-traditional route into law.
Hosts
Sam Butler (he/him)
Sam is a social mobility ambassador for the Law Society, serving a two-year term. Having trained and qualified as an employment solicitor at international law firm DLA Piper, Sam moved in-house to the legal team of the University of Manchester.
Before entering law, Sam studied a history degree and was twice elected president of his student union. He studied his Graduate Diploma in Law and MSc in business, law and management at the University of Law in Bristol.
Sam has continued to contribute to the higher education sector, sitting on boards and committees for the University of Law, NUS Services Limited, and the University of Liverpool.
Alice Kinder (she/her)
Alice has an active role in the Birmingham legal community.
She is chair of the Birmingham Law Society Social Mobility Sub-Committee and also sits on the Birmingham Law Society Council, and Equality and Diversity Committee.
Alice became a social mobility ambassador for the Law Society in 2021.
Other episodes in the series
Resources mentioned
Dis-abled? Language as the great leveller
Reasonable adjustments in organisations – best practice for disability inclusion
Legally Disabled? research reports
The Bridge Group research: Pathways to partnership