Commercial and employment lawyer to begin three-year leadership term from June 2026
The Law Society of England and Wales has appointed Eileen Schofield as deputy chair of its board for a three-year term beginning on 1 June 2026. The Law Society announced the appointment on 15 May 2026, confirming that Schofield had previously served as interim deputy chair before securing the permanent role through a competitive selection process.
Schofield runs her own commercial and employment law practice and has held several senior positions within the legal and education sectors. Alongside leading her firm, she serves as chair of the Legal Advisory Board at Birmingham City University and also acts as a school governor for an alternative provision school in Northfield, West Midlands.
Commenting on the appointment, Schofield said she was “delighted” to take on the role and looked forward to working with the Law Society’s leadership, council, and staff to support the future of the legal profession. The appointment continues Schofield’s long-standing involvement in legal sector governance and professional leadership.
She previously chaired the board of the Birmingham Law Society, one of the largest local law societies outside London, and remains active within the organisation. Her wider governance experience also includes serving as president of her local chamber of commerce.
The Law Society board, established in 2018, acts as one of the organisation’s principal oversight bodies and is responsible for overseeing the delivery of the society’s strategy and business plan. The board includes council members, office holders, senior executives, and independent non-executive members drawn from legal and professional services backgrounds.
Schofield was first appointed to the Law Society board in 2023 as one of four new independent non-executive members brought in during a wider governance refresh. At the time, the Law Society said the appointments were intended to strengthen oversight capabilities and bring additional expertise from across the legal, financial, and professional services sectors.
The 2023 appointments also included Larissa Joy OBE, alongside finance and HR specialists Krishna Vishnubhotla and Kevin Hogarth. Schofield’s appointment as deputy chair comes as the Law Society continues to focus on governance, professional standards, and support for solicitors across England and Wales during a period of significant legal sector change.
The organisation regularly engages with government, regulators, and the wider justice system on issues affecting solicitors, access to justice, and legal reform. The deputy chair role forms part of the Law Society’s senior leadership structure and supports oversight of the organisation’s strategic priorities and governance responsibilities. Schofield will formally begin the new position at the start of June 2026.