To mark International Women's Day five Hewitsons solicitors met with around 30 students at Northampton Academy, joined by a senior female audit manager from professional service company KPMG's Milton Keynes office. In groups of three to five, the Year 12 students were able to ask questions of each of the six professionals in turn, in a speed dating style format, with each round lasting eight minutes. Topics included subject choices, university selection, work experience and potential obstacles to career progression. Many of the 16 and 17-year-olds were particularly drawn to Hewitsons trainee solicitor Motunrayo Adeeyo, as she had formerly completed her GCSEs and A-levels at the academy.Mo, 23, said: "It was a real privilege and pleasure to spend time with the girls. They seemed really interested and engaged and they asked intelligent questions. I was very impressed.The other solicitors included newly qualified Alexandra Svennevik; Katie Wall, a Senior Solicitor; Lynne Adams, an Associate; and Patricia Kempson, a Partner, two of whom were also able to speak about their experience as mothers working in the legal field.Trish Kempson, a partner in the firm's Real Estate team, said many of the girls had seemed surprised to learn that 70 per cent of all lawyers working across Hewitsons' offices in Cambridge, London, Milton Keynes and Northampton were women. She added: "Several of them seemed interested in pursuing a legal career, which was great. We all felt it was important to reassure them that there really is nothing that can stop them if they put their mind to it."