One of Bermuda's leading lawyers has said that during her career on the Island she has encountered little prejudice against women or racial discrimination while practising law.

In fact Dianna Kempe QC said that it was not until she took up positions in international bodies that she came up against discrimination against women.

Speaking at a lunch for Women in International Trade on women of influence on the Island, Mrs. Kempe, a senior manager and partner in the law firm Appleby, Spurling and Kempe, described her shock at coming across discrimination abroad.

She said: "In Bermuda while I practised, I met little or no prejudice of any sort. People were just looking for a good lawyer. They were not concerned about colour or gender.'' Mrs. Kempe added that she in fact had such a smooth ride when she arrived on the Island that later in life, when confronted with prejudice, said had little experience and handled it badly.

"I wish in fact I had come across more prejudice. I have since had problems which I have not dealt with as well as I could have had I had more experience.

"Certainly in the legal profession, if you are good and work hard then you will get to the top. But in management it is different.'' The 51-year-old worked in litigation and insolvency practice when she came to Bermuda from the UK. But 10 years ago, her career in management started at AS&K. Overnight she was in charge of 200 people and had to start learning the rules of the board room.

Now she manages 400 people -- 65 of them lawyers -- and is not only the first woman president of the Bermuda Bar Council, but is about to take over the prestigious role of president of the International Bar Council.

"When I went into management in Bermuda, I was accepted. But I went right back down to the beginning again. I had to re-prove myself with the partners, and it was a lot more difficult. It has been quite difficult, but I feel I have made it. In my bar career I did not find any particular prejudice.

"Then I met the worst side of it at the International Bar Association. The majority of members were not particularly accepting of a woman being at the top, and it was hard dealing with that.

"I was used to running a multi-million dollar organisation, and now I was to be the token woman.'' And Mrs. Kempe found the role very difficult to handle. So difficult in fact that many times she thought about resigning.

"I didn't get invited to the lunches, the dinners, even some meetings. When confronted, they would say `didn't you get my memo?' And, like a fool, at the time I thought that it was true.

`Bda more accepting of women at the top' But it was the strength she took from her colleagues, who urged her to brazen out the attack, that kept her firm.

Now she is about to be appointed president of the same association, and is continuing to be a trailblazer and lead the way for other women lawyers.

At the lunch she told gathered lawyers and business women that it was important to have allies on your side to get ahead.

"I would never have made it here without some of the people in this room, and people I have worked with.

"In my career in the International Bar Association I would have quit five years ago -and it has only been an eight year career -- if it had not been for the support of these people. I took my strength from them and you must do the same.'' Leading lady: Dianna Kempe QC, senior manager and partner at Appleby, Spurling & Kempe, spoke to a business women's group of struggle against prejudice outside Bermuda.

BUSINESS BUC