A CITMA webinar
Parenthood in practice: Reflections from IP professionals
Wednesday 17 September 2025
12.30 – 1.30 pm, online
This webinar aims to start the conversation on working in the IP sector, while raising a family. Join us as we discuss some of the highs and lows, and the steps firms can take to help make the sector more inclusive and supportive for working parents.
Returning to a demanding career, while navigating the responsibilities of parenthood is a challenge that remains largely unspoken within the legal profession. From the sleepless nights of caring for a newborn to re-engaging with high-pressure caseloads, the transition back to practice can be both emotionally and professionally taxing – yet the realities of this journey are often overlooked.
While all mothers and fathers in the UK are entitled to maternity and paternity leave, the length, structure, and accessibility of this leave vary widely across firms. Shared parental leave legislation offers a more flexible and equitable option, allowing parents to split time off – but how inclusive and effective are these policies in practice? Are they equally accessible to male, female, and non-binary legal professionals? And how do they differ between large firms, small practices, in-house teams, and the public sector?
We’ll explore these questions through honest and reflective discussion, focused on the unique demands of working in IP. CITMA Council Member Leanne Hall will chair the session, joined by panellists Robert Milligan, Triona Desmond and Kay Szawlis, who will share personal experiences of navigating parental leave within their respective firms.
Key learning outcomes:
- Gain first-hand insights from IP professionals on navigating parental leave and returning to a demanding legal career
- Explore current parental leave policies across various legal settings – how these differ, their effectiveness, and any challenges
- Learn practical ways firms can better support returning parents, from flexible working to shifting workplace culture
Whether you’re planning to take parental leave, have recently returned to practice, or are shaping policy within your organisation, this session will offer valuable insights into how the IP sector can evolve to better support working parents.
Who is it for?
This event is open to non-members and members of CITMA.
Registration
Please follow the Book to Attend link at the top of the page, or click the button below.