Once regarded as on the radical left of the Bar and anything but mainstream, Vera Baird, QC, 57, finally came in from being an articulate voice of criticism outside the Government and joined it. One of the first two-woman team at the law officers, the Solicitor-General has turned her advocacy talents - honed through years of criminal defence work (she was at Tooks Court, the chambers of Michael Mansfield, QC) in which she acted in several landmark cases involving battered women who kill - to criminal justice policy areas such as rape and domestic violence. She is the author of several publications on those issues. Elected Labour MP for Redcar in 2001 she joined the Government in 2006 in the Department for Constitutional Affairs, where her responsibilities included legal aid. Her interests include travel, reading, running and Zack, her rescued Bedlington Terrier. She was widowed in 1979 and has two stepsons.

Back to the full Law 100 2008

Did we get it right? Tell us your picks

Law 100: women | Law 100: corporate and business | Law 100: public, criminal and human rights | Law 100: judges

Explore Law

• Columnists

• Law Panel

• Law Reports

• Student Law

Times Recommends

• BGC 'set aside £40m to lure Tullett brokers'
• Legal aid review to ensure value
• Fears as 21 magistrates' courts face closure