Carol Hopwood: Thirty Years of Progress and Perspective
Carol Hopwood
|04 August 2025
In a powerful and personal reflection, Carol Hopwood shares her journey through the evolving landscape of the legal profession.
From her early days in Bootle to leading the Serious and Catastrophic Injury Team at Carpenters Group, Carol’s story is one of resilience and progress. As part of Modern Law Magazine’s special “Women in Law” supplement, she offered a candid look at how far the sector has come and the work still to be done to ensure equity, and opportunity for women in law.
When I look back over the past 30 years, the legal profession has changed in ways that once felt unimaginable. Women are now visible at every level, from trainees to managing partners, from in-house counsel to Judges.
I grew up in Bootle, a place not typically associated with legal careers but very much associated with community spirit and looking out for each other. There were no barristers or solicitors in my family, no well-trodden path into the profession but I was determined and driven by the desire to help others achieve justice. I had experienced unfairness and prejudice growing up and wanted to change that. With the unwavering support of my parents, I set off on my route to becoming a Solicitor.
"Women now make up over 53% of Solicitors in the UK and nearly 40% of Judges. However, only 32% are full equity partners, so there is still some work to do."
I qualified, built my own firm, sold it, and now lead the Catastrophic Injury Teams at Carpenters Group. That journey wasn't the norm for someone from my background, but that is changing. Women now make up over 53% of Solicitors in the UK and nearly 40% of Judges. However, only 32% are full equity partners, so there is still some work to do.#
The legal sector is better for women than it was three decades ago. Flexible working is more accepted, maternity and paternity policies have improved and there's a growing recognition that diverse teams perform better. The help from the Government on free childcare for some parents helps and it's a long time since anyone has asked me in a meeting if I was there to take the notes.
That's why I'm passionate about mentoring. I've been fortunate to have people who believed in me, and I want to pay that forward. Whether it's offering guidance to a junior colleague, opening doors for someone who's been overlooked, or simply being a sounding board-I believe we all have a role to play in lifting others as we climb.
The legal sector needs women. Not just for balance, but for brilliance. Women bring empathy, resilience, and a collaborative spirit that enriches the way we practise law. We lead differently and that difference matters.
At Carpenters Group, we're proud to support initiatives that champion women in law. But real change doesn't come from policies alone. It comes from people who are willing to challenge the status quo, to speak up, and to create space for others to thrive. So yes, we've come a long way but let's keep pushing, keep mentoring, and keep believing in the power of women to shape the future of law.
Credit: Modern Law Magazine
