Baroness Helena Kennedy is one of the most acclaimed lawyers in the United Kingdom, known for her commanding presence as a keynote speaker. A compelling advocate for justice, human rights, and gender equality, she brings both gravitas and clarity to her talks. Perhaps her most distinguished achievement is her appointment as Chair of the High Level Panel of Legal Experts on Media Freedom in 2024, underscoring her global influence in legal reform and human rights.
Baroness Kennedy’s career began with humble yet determined roots in Glasgow, where she was born into a politically active and devoutly Roman Catholic family. After excelling at Holyrood Secondary School, where she was appointed Head Girl, she pursued legal studies at the Council of Legal Education in London. Called to the bar at Gray’s Inn in 1972, she cut her teeth on challenging criminal defence cases, notably serving as junior counsel in the high-profile 1974 Myra Hindley trial. These early experiences laid the foundation for a distinguished career in criminal law, marked by courage and an unwavering commitment to justice.
Over the past four decades, Baroness Kennedy has presided over landmark cases such as the Brighton bombing trial, the Balcombe Street Siege, and the Guildford Four appeal. She was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1991, created a life peer in 1997 as Baroness Kennedy of The Shaws, and has since become a prominent Labour member of the House of Lords, known for her principled dissent. Her many roles include President of Justice, Chair of the Booker Prize Foundation, Principal of Mansfield College, Oxford, and Chancellor of Sheffield Hallam University. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, a Commander of the Order of Academic Palms, and recipient of the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic. She holds over forty honorary degrees and is an Honorary Fellow of the British Academy.
Audiences benefit from her deep insights into legal reform, human rights, and gender justice. She speaks with eloquence and authority on issues such as domestic and sexual violence, media freedom, social mobility, and the rule of law - topics which are ever more vital in today’s global climate. With her extensive experience in law, politics, academia and broadcasting - including co-creating Blind Justice and presenting Heart of the Matter - Baroness Helena Kennedy is a keynote speaker of rare depth and credibility, ideal for conferences seeking to engage, challenge, and inspire.
Books
Eve was Framed: Women and British Justice
Just Law: The changing face of justice and why it matters to us
Eve Was Shamed: How British Justice Is Failing Women
Misjustice: How British Law is Failing Women
Helena Kennedy's speaking topics are listed below:
- Law and legal
- Campaigning for changes to the law
- Television presenting
- Media and broadcasting
- Human genetics commission
Official Feedback from In-Person & Virtual Events
Feedback from In-Person Events:
"Helena was great. She was very professional, personable, and interacted well with the crowd. Her stories were personal and yet really hit home about serious topics, and she really connected with our audience about what's going on in the world. We would highly recommend her and really appreciated her speaking at our event". - Melina, Preqin
- 2024 – Appointed Chair of the High Level Panel of Legal Experts on Media Freedom, succeeding Lord Neuberger
- 2024 – Appointed a Lady of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle by King Charles III
- 2023 – Participated in the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, carrying the Queen Consort’s Rod with Dove
- 2021 – Recognised as one of the BBC's 100 Women of the year
- 2018 – Appointed Chancellor of Sheffield Hallam University
- 2011 – Became Director of the International Bar Association's Institute of Human Rights
- 2011 – Appointed Honorary Fellow of the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS)
- 2010 – Appointed Honorary Fellow of Lucy Cavendish College, University of Cambridge
- 2010 – Elected Principal of Mansfield College, Oxford, serving until 2018
- 2006 – Appointed Commander of the Order of Academic Palms
- 2005 – Appointed Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists
- 2005 – Appointed Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
- 2004 – Awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
- 2004 – Chaired inquiry into Sudden Infant Death, producing a national protocol
- 2001 – Completed tenure as Chancellor of Oxford Brookes University
- 1998 – Appointed Chair of the British Council
- 1998 – Appointed Chair of the Human Genetics Commission
- 1998 – Appointed President of the National Children’s Bureau
- 1997 – Chaired the Power Commission examining democratic disengagement
- 1997 – Created a life peer as Baroness Kennedy of The Shaws
- 1994 – Appointed Chancellor of Oxford Brookes University
- 1991 – Appointed Queen’s Counsel (QC)
- 1974 – Acted as junior counsel for Myra Hindley in her prison escape plot trial
- 1972 – Called to the bar at Gray’s Inn
How to hire Baroness Helena Kennedy
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Baroness Helena Kennedy for your next event, today. To get in touch, simply call an official booking agent on 0207 1010 553 or email us at [email protected] for more information.
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