Endeavour to publish 'compelling' memoir of young barrister's experience

Octopus imprint Endeavour is to publish In Black and White: A Young Barrister's Story of Race and Class in a Broken Justice System by Alexandra Wilson. 

Publishing director Claudia Connal acquired UK and Commonwealth rights from Haley Steed at the Madeleine Milburn Agency. Endeavour will publish the book in September 2020. The book has already been optioned for TV by Mam Tor Productions. 

Wilson is 25 years old, mixed-race and from Essex. In Black and White will follow the young barrister as she navigates a criminal justice system still divided by race and class. She talks about what it feels like to defend someone who hates the colour of your skin or someone she might suspect is guilty. Wilson will also talk about what motivated her to practice law, beginning with the murder of a close family friend and her own experience of knife crime. 

Wilson commented: "My story details the experience of being a young, mixed‐race female barrister. It wasn't easy to break into the profession. Barristers represent people from all walks of life and it is so important that the Bar reflects the diversity of society. I am so grateful to be able to share my story."

Connal added: "Alexandra beautifully re‐creates the tense court room scenes, heart‐breaking conferences with teenage clients, and moments of frustration and joy that make up a young barrister’s life. Most importantly, she shows us the many inequities that result when you have a legal profession and laws that represent a small portion of society."