Patrick McCann, former Linklaters director of learning and incoming CEO of the City of London Law Society, on being outed at work and why the legal community should stand by their trans and non-binary colleagues.
How easy did you find it to come out professionally? And what were the biggest barriers you had to overcome before you felt ready to come out at work?
I was out and proud in my last year at university. I ended up running the LGBT society, which turned out to be super-successful. I was advised by the brilliant Dean of Law to go back into the closet, so I did. Or I did in as much as ever I could.
A fellow trainee (a nasty fellow, who had been at the same uni) then outed me, I think in an attempt to derail my career, but it was essentially fine, although at least two of my bosses were uncomfortable with my queerness. My boyfriend at the time was diagnosed with AIDS and that was not something I cared to share.
The barriers to my coming out had to do with the perceived discomfort those in positions of influence may feel, and the harm that it would do to my progression. There was some truth in that.
What motivated you to actively use your voice to advocate for LGBTQ+ voices in the legal sector through initiatives you’ve been involved in, including The LLP [The LGBTQ+ Lawyers’ Programme, which was named LGBTQ+: Initiative of the Year at the Legal 500 UK ESG Awards]?
I’ve always been relatively active when I see things that don’t seem right – even at school. I try to better things. Therapy has recently revealed that the main driver for this is that the generation of gay men just ahead of me were decimated by AIDS. I saw many die – and I feel the need to honour them by being successful and helping others to be successful.
I am particularly interested in people getting into the profession and have had some wins in the field of social mobility, social welfare and LGBT work. I’m not sure why any of us are here, if not to help others.
Now I’ve become sufficiently aged – and financially solvent – I can be more outspoken about things. Most days someone contacts me privately to say that I am helping, and so I keep going. I believe LGBTQ+ people have a skillset, often hidden, gained by life experience, which can make them brilliant contributors.
How much obligation do you feel to be a role model within the industry? How helpful are role models in pushing change?
I feel some responsibility but mainly I do it because I think it’s the right thing to do – ethically, societally, mentally – and I am seeing some great, positive change through what people are doing. That in itself is a great reward and means I want to do more. I am a big believer in having role models – I can name a dozen without much effort who have inspired me. If I can do that for someone else, happy days.
What does the legal sector need to do better in order to include people from the LGBTQ+ community and provide support?
Actively reach out to recruit (I founded DiversCity, City Century and Queer City Law Career very much with this in mind). Bring queer people into work, be interested in us, promote us (especially into C-suite roles where we are noticeably absent) and support queer charities and the like.
In work, mentoring programmes and development programmes like The LLP help. Stay ahead of legal developments, reach out to impacted colleagues (trans and non-binary people in particular), enjoy difference, stay visible in your support.
What is the single biggest challenge still facing the LGBTQ+ community in City law? How can it be addressed?
Progression. I think we’re doing well in convincing emerging queer entrants to count themselves into our sector rather than out of it, and we see us do well up to the mid-levels, but we are less apparent in the senior ranks. In the 40 years I have been in and around London law, I have only seen a handful of queer managing partners. We need more Justin D’Agostinos and Clare Fieldings!
The LGBTQIA+ legal types I know are impactful, passionate, creative, empathetic, driven, personable – they have clear leadership qualities. I assess the legal scene to have some reticence about giving the really big jobs to us (although thank you to the City of London Law Society for taking me on).
The other massive challenge at the moment is the treatment of trans people – the impact I see on them from the current political and legal standpoint is devastating. The legal community could do much more to protect them.
For more, see ‘We’re all nervous right now’ – how a subdued Pride month got caught in the DEI backlash
More Pride Perspectives:
Emma Woolcott: ‘We need a plurality of perspectives around the table when decisions are made’
Cai Cherry: ‘It’s easy to think something isn’t your problem – but equality is all of our problem’
