At Moore Barlow, women are not just progressing but thriving, supported by a culture that values career development, flexibility, and inclusivity.
We’re proud of the fact that women make up 75% of our workforce, particularly at leadership level, where 55% of partners are women. Unfortunately, this figure isn’t reflective of the wider industry, where unfortunately female representation at the top often lags behind.
As a firm that champions gender diversity, we also recognise the importance of flexibility, with 29% of women working part-time across the organisation and 12% of female partners opting for part-time roles – a crucial enabler for balancing career progression with other commitments.
Behind these statistics, we have three remarkable women who are inspirational examples of the culture we strive to promote at Moore Barlow. Amandeep Khasriya, Sophie Winstanley, and Susannah Marsh have each carved out unique paths to success while balancing personal and professional challenges. Their stories highlight the importance of support, adaptability, and a workplace that is a true advocate for its people.
Amandeep Khasriya – championing diversity and shaping a unique career path
Amandeep Khasriya, Consultant in Major Trauma and Personal Injury will celebrate ten years at Moore Barlow in 2025.
She started as a solicitor, with a dedicated passion for securing justice for those with life-changing injuries. By 2023, Amandeep had progressed to partner, a significant milestone as a South Asian woman, in a traditionally male-dominated profession. For Amandeep, that promotion was a defining moment.
However, it’s not been a linear career path. She says, “As my personal circumstances evolved, I needed more flexibility, and Moore Barlow fully supported me in transitioning into a consultancy role. The firm’s ethos of being a true career firm – one that supports its people at different stages of their professional and personal lives – has allowed me to continue contributing at a high level while shaping my career in a way that works for me”.
“I have always believed that representation matters. Instead of waiting for change, I wanted to be part of it,” she says. Never one to sit still, Amandeep is now Chair of the Law Society Women’s Solicitors Network, and a vocal advocate for gender equality, ensuring that future generations of women do not face the same barriers.
For Amandeep, Moore Barlow has always been a place where talent is recognised, progression is based on merit, and careers are shaped around individual needs, not rigid expectations. And it’s why she’s still with us, a decade on.
Sophie Winstanley – redefining success in law
Sophie Winstanley joined Moore Barlow in 2012 as a paralegal and became a partner in 2024. Typically, many of those in the legal profession believe that constantly moving firms is essential to progress. However, Sophie has risen through the ranks – a testament to how we value our people and internal development.
Sophie says it’s the strong leadership and a supportive culture that makes Moore Barlow a place where she has always felt valued.
She says: “I have always felt at home here. My strengths have been recognised, and I have been encouraged to do my best, be my best, and give my best.”
Beyond her role as Partner in the Personal Injury team, Sophie is passionate about breaking stereotypes, both in law and in life. She’s a keen golfer, so often finds herself the only woman in a male-dominated environment but embraces the challenge.
“Law, like golf, has traditionally been an elitist space, but I don’t let that intimidate me. It’s about showing up, being present and making space for women.”
Important to her is mentoring young lawyers, ensuring they have the guidance that they need during the early stages of their careers.
“I make it a priority to check in and be available for people, as a supportive ear. And Moore Barlow lets me do that,” says Sophie. “My line managers have always been so supportive of me, and I want to do the same.”
Susannah Marsh – leading with resilience and building a supportive culture
Susannah Marsh joined Moore Barlow as a paralegal, worked her way up to partner, and now leads the financial services litigation team.
Of course, there were challenges along the way. Her 2:2 degree initially made it difficult to secure a training contract – and she’s open about that. Moore Barlow “took a chance on me”, something she remains grateful for, proving that potential is more important than traditional measures of success.
Susannah has also balanced her career with two maternity leaves. But this didn’t put a spanner in his career progress. She was promoted whilst she was on leave, a rare example of genuine commitment to gender equality.
Susannah has also led her team through the complexities of a merger and the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic – steep learning curves for anyone but something she excelled in. Although, she says, not alone.
“Support is everything,” says Susannah “There are great people behind strong independent women, and I have been fortunate to have both professional and personal support systems that have enabled me to succeed.”
A workplace that supports women at every stage
As one of the top 100 law firms in the UK, we are proud to have built a culture where women can succeed.
Career flexibility, leadership opportunities, and a strong commitment to diversity are all ways we’re proving that the legal profession does not have to be rigid or exclusionary.
At Moore Barlow, we know that balancing career ambitions with personal responsibilities remains one of the biggest challenges. That’s just a reality, so we offer pathways for progression that never force people to choose between professional success and personal commitments.
So on International Women’s Day (and in fact, every day) we celebrate both individual achievements and the importance of continuing to push for a more inclusive legal profession.
Progression in professional services should never be about fitting into a mould but about creating a career that aligns with individual ambitions, values, and life circumstances. It can be hard to move away from billable hours and targets, and they all matter, but doing a good job is more than that. At Moore Barlow, women are proving that success comes in many forms, and there is space for everyone at the top.
