Dr. I. Stephanie Boyce is a solicitor, governance advisor and public leader with extensive experience in justice reform, constitutional issues and professional leadership. She served as President of the Law Society of England and Wales, becoming the first person of colour and the first Black individual to hold the role in the organisation’s history.
Raised in a low income, first generation British household on a council estate, Dr. Boyce’s career has been shaped by a commitment to social mobility, access to justice and ethical leadership. She has worked extensively to widen participation in the legal profession, strengthen inclusion, and improve public confidence in legal institutions.
Since her presidency, Dr. Boyce has continued to contribute to national debates on the rule of law, court reform, constitutional safeguards and the ethical governance of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence. She is a respected public speaker, advisor and commentator, known for her calm authority, independence of thought and commitment to public service.
Dr. Boyce currently holds senior roles across the charitable and governance sectors and remains focused on strengthening democratic institutions, protecting rights and ensuring that leadership reflects the society it serves.
In March 2021, she made history as the 177th President of the Law Society of England and Wales, becoming the first person of colour and the sixth woman to hold the position. Her presidency coincided with significant events, including the COVID-19 pandemic, Brexit, and the war in Ukraine. She is credited with providing steady leadership during these turbulent times.
Additionally, her tenure is celebrated for advancing equity and inclusion within the legal sector. She emphasised the importance of creating a profession that reflects the diversity of the communities it serves, advocating for greater representation of underrepresented groups at all levels. Dr. Boyce’s personal journey, from a working class background to the presidency of the Law Society, is widely regarded as a testament to her determination and resilience. She has spoken openly about the barriers she faced, including being told that a career in law was unattainable due to her low socio-economic background. Her story has inspired many and underpins her continued advocacy for social mobility and inclusion.
Beyond her professional leadership, Dr. Boyce is deeply committed to community engagement and education. She regularly visits schools, including returning to her former school in Aylesbury, to inspire young people and promote aspiration. She is a passionate advocate for legal literacy and has consistently championed the teaching of basic law in schools, believing that understanding rights and responsibilities is fundamental to an informed and empowered society.
Her work has been recognised with numerous awards and honours. In 2020, Dr. Boyce was named on the Governance Hot 100 – Board Influencer list and has featured on the Powerlist 100 Most Influential Black People in the UK in 2021, 2022 and 2023. She was jointly awarded the 2022 Burberry British Diversity Awards, Inspirational Role Model of the Year and received the King’s College London Distinguished Alumni of the Year Award in 2022. She has also been honoured with Lifetime Achievement Awards from Women & Diversity in Law and Justice News247, in recognition of her work on equality, diversity and inclusion and her contribution to the legal profession.
Dr. Boyce is the recipient of the High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire Award for her leadership of the legal profession during the COVID-19 pandemic and her services to equality, diversity and inclusion. Internationally, she has been awarded the Paris Bar Medal by the Ordre des avocats de Paris for promoting human rights and strengthening the rule of law. She has also received the Freedom of the City of London and is featured in the public art exhibition “100 Black Women Who Have Made a Mark”. Most recently, she received the Diamond Ladder Award from the Be The Ladder Awards in recognition of her service, achievement, legacy as President of the Law Society and her wider societal impact.
Dr. Boyce was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2026 New Year Honours for services to the Legal Profession, to Diversity, and to Access to Justice.
Dr. Boyce is deeply committed to a life of service and extends beyond her professional role. She is a proud patron of Support Through Court, a charity with over 600 dedicated volunteers, with the aim of helping people facing civil and family courts alone and Liverpool Advocates for Windrush, leading advocate for the Windrush generation and their descendants, ensuring unfettered access to justice and support. Furthermore, she serves as a trustee for Justice, a cross-party law reform charity working to build a fairer UK justice system within everyone’s reach, a Member of Alliance For Lawyers At Risk, an independent UK-based pro-bono Charitable Incorporated Organisation, of prominent members of the legal community that provides moral and legal support to lawyers and human rights defenders working in precarious circumstances. Dr. Boyce is also a trustee and chair-elect of The Solicitors Charity, a charity dedicated to helping and supporting solicitors and their dependants wellbeing in times of need and beyond, so that they can thrive.
Dr. Boyce’s story of resilience, determination, and transformative leadership continues to inspire and redefine the role of a leader in the legal profession and beyond.
