Tipperary solicitor awarded inaugural European Trophy For Equality

On March 18 in Paris, Carrick-on-Suir’s Maura Derivan, Past President of the Law Society of Ireland was awarded the inaugural Trophée De L`Égalité, in recognition of the work, actions and contribution she has made in promoting Gender, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in the Law Society and in the Irish Solicitors profession.

The award was given to Maura Derivan, at the recent Summit of Women Leaders in Law, Business and the Public Sector, held at the City Hall in Paris and hosted by the Fédération des Barreaux d’Europe an organisation who represent over one million solicitors/lawyers in Europe across twenty five countries.

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The event was hosted by the Law Society of France and chaired by the Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo.

In presenting the Trophée De L`Égailité to Maura Derivan, the President of the Law Society of France, Julie Courturier praised the work and contribution carried out by Ms Derivan over the past number of years, to promote equality and diversity within the Law Society and the Irish Solicitors profession.

Actions taken by Maura Derivan resulted in the GEDI Policy being adopted by the Council of the Law Society and resulted in the Law Society preparing and implementing a GEDI policy, not only for the Law Society, but also creating a GEDI Charter for implementation by the Irish legal profession.

Madame Courturier recognised the sterling work Ms Derivan has done, over the past decade including a campaign of engagement with a professional networking and lobby group dedicated to supporting LGBTQ+ individuals and allies within the Irish legal sector, as well as a campaign to promote and increase disability access to the Law Society, which was implemented with great success.

In her acceptance speech, Maura Derivan stated that all the women who went before her, who have been brave and fearless in striving for Gender, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and on whose shoulders, she has stood, should be recognised and that the award also belonged to them.

She called on women today to continue to reach for full recognition and implementation of Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion and said that women of the future also needed their shoulders, upon which these women could stand to reach for 100% inclusion.

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“I am very honoured to be the first person awarded this prestigious trophy,” she said.

“I am so proud of what we have been able to achieve in Ireland and I acknowledge all the assistance I received from my fellow peers in ensuring that our profession continues to be inclusive and forward thinking. I would like to thank the people of South Tipperary and its environs and particularly the people of Carrick-on-Suir for the support given to me, during my Presidency of The Law Society of Ireland and during my Presidency of the Tipperary Solicitors Bar Association. I would also like to thank the people of Carrick-on-Suir and its environs for the good wishes expressed to me on the recent award of the Trophée De L`Égailité.”