A rallying call to YRes members

YRes exists to ensure that there is an opportunity for Resolution members who are starting out on their career path to share their experiences, concerns and ideas and develop their skills and knowledge in a friendly and supportive environment.

Words by Zhenja Cann and Felicia Munde

YRes has been busier than ever empowering and encouraging the involvement of young professionals in social events, workshops and online webinars across the country.

The National YRes Committee is dedicated to ensuring the YRes regional committees are supported with anything they need, each region having an allocated National YRes representative who meet regularly throughout the year.

In 2024, it has been incredible to see how collaboration has progressed, with YRes regional committees now connecting with one another to share ideas about best practice, events, wellbeing of their members and the future of family law.

Another main focus of the National Yres Committee has been to grow and evolve the annual National YRes Conference, which takes place in November each year.

Highlights from the most recent conference included a workshop from Dr Judith Mohring about building resilience and a breathwork session from Oliver Layton.

We were treated to a deeply personal discussion with Barbara Mills KC, Nigel Shepherd and Oluwapelumi Amanda Adeola who talked about their career insights and progression.

There were also interesting talks focusing on more technical areas of financial remedies, from the pension experts Joseph Rainer and Sarah Hoskinson, to the most up to date case law on nuptial agreements from Georgina Howitt, Amy Radnor and the Committee’s own Sarfraz Ali.

It would not be a Yres Conference without a focus on the future of family law, including discussions of cohabitation reform from experts Dr Andy Hayward and Nazia Rashid, and DJ Dewinder Birk and Tricia Ashton discussing the importance of non-court dispute resolution.

Following the success of the conference, Annie Boxer and Lauren Guiler of the National YRes Committee did a takeover of Resolution’s Talking Family Law podcast, focusing on thriving in a busy working environment and the importance of wellbeing as junior practitioners. It is well worth a listen.

At the start of 2024, Polly Dallyn finished her term as YRes Co-Chair. Polly was a brilliant Co-Chair, having led two sell-out conferences and representing the voice of young members as a co-opted member of the National Committee. Although Polly steps down from her role as Co-Chair, she will continue her amazing work with the Committee.

Zhenja Cann of Thrings (Bristol) continues her role as Co-Chair together with newly appointed Co-Chair Felicia Munde of Stewarts (London/Leeds).

Felicia and Zhenja lead the National YRes Committee and are looking forward to the exciting year ahead, including the focus on Resolution’s Code of Practice.

We also cannot wait to attend the National Conference in Birmingham in May where YRes will be leading a workshop on ‘Toxicity in Family law’.

We want to hear from you

The National YRes Committee is looking to recruit family professionals who have a wide set of experiences within the family justice system, such as financial advisers, therapists and barristers. This is to ensure the Committee continue to be representative of the junior practitioners so their voices can be heard.

At its heart Resolution is made up of its members and the value that YRes members bring is second to none. You are unafraid to question, to learn, to improve and to support one another.

If you want your voice heard, whether that is to make a real difference to the future of family law or whether it is to better support you to grow your career, joining as a YRes member is the start of that.

If you have any questions about joining the National YRes committee or joining as a YRes member, please do not hesitate to get in touch with Zhenja or Felicia.

Similarly, if you do not know who your regional committee representatives are, please do not hesitate to contact any of the National YRes committee members who will be more than happy to help.