Breaking Barriers: Millicent Grant's Journey to the Top

From an early age, Millicent Grant knew she wanted to become a lawyer. The proud image of her barrister uncle hung in the family home, a silent but powerful reminder of the possibilities that lay ahead. However, the world around her was not as eager to embrace her ambitions. Outdated perceptions at her school—especially about the role and abilities of Black women—left her with few qualifications and a dream that seemed out of reach.

But dreams, when nurtured, have a way of persevering. A youth leader introduced her to the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX), presenting an alternative path into the legal profession. That moment changed everything. Millicent embarked on a journey that would not only reshape her own future but also pave the way for others like her.

A Career Forged in Determination

Starting as a legal secretary, Millicent found herself in an environment where her talent was recognised and her aspirations encouraged. Her employers saw her potential and, rather than dismissing her ambition, they chose to celebrate her difference. With their support, she pursued her CILEX qualifications, laying the foundation for a long and distinguished legal career.

In 1991 she was admitted as a Fellow of the Institute, a qualified Legal Executive lawyer. Over the years, she built an impressive legal portfolio, advising on commercial litigation, employment law, general litigation, and later transitioning into policy corporate governance law. Through every stage of her career, she remained committed to delivering high-quality legal advice while challenging the barriers that kept others from entering the profession.

Shattering Ceilings and Changing the Legal Landscape

Millicent’s journey is remarkable not just for her individual success but for the barriers she has broken along the way. In a legal landscape where representation remains a challenge—where just 3% of solicitors and 3.3% of barristers come from a Black background—Millicent has stood as a beacon of change. In contrast, 16% of CILEX members share her ethnic background, a testament to the inclusivity and accessibility of the CILEX route to legal practice.

Her leadership reached a historic milestone in 2017 when she became the first person from a Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) background to lead a professional legal membership body—CILEX. This was more than just a personal achievement; it was a moment of recognition for every aspiring lawyer who had ever been told their ambitions were out of reach.

Her impact did not stop there. In 2020, she became the first Chartered Legal Executive to be appointed an Honorary Queen’s Counsel, an accolade that acknowledged her significant contributions to the legal profession. In 2024, she took on the prestigious role of High Sheriff of Greater London, serving as a representative of the King and supporting the judiciary and wider justice system in the capital. Later that year she was elected as an honorary bencher at Grays Inn.

A Legacy of Empowerment

Despite her impressive list of accolades, Millicent remains deeply committed to giving back. She continues to support CILEX, formerly serving on its Board of Directors, the Appointments and Scrutiny Committee, and as a Non-Executive Director for the Law School. She is now a CILEX Companion, frequently engaging with students, promoting the CILEX route into law and inspiring the next generation through career talks and mentoring.

Her advocacy extends beyond CILEX. She has been a key voice on the Judicial Diversity Forum, a career coach for managers, and a mentor to aspiring lawyers. She chairs a youth work charity and serves as an elected council member at the Human Rights and law reform charity, JUSTICE, demonstrating her unwavering dedication to access to justice and a more representative legal profession.

An Inspiration for the Future

Millicent Grant’s story is one of resilience, determination, and transformation. She has not only navigated but redefined the legal profession, proving that with perseverance and the right support, no dream is too ambitious. On this International Women’s Day, we celebrate her journey—not just for what she has achieved, but for the doors she has opened for others.

Her story serves as a powerful reminder that progress is possible when we challenge outdated perceptions, embrace diversity, and create pathways for future generations to thrive. Millicent has done just that, and in doing so, she has changed the face of the legal profession forever.