Moderated by Amanda Adeola from Resolution's Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee this online event brings together a variety of speakers to discuss their experiences with inequality in their profession.
6th August (4-6pm UK time – BST)
Online
An excitingly diverse panel with members of Resolution’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee and their esteemed guests which will highlight the importance of diversity and inclusion not just within Resolution but in the legal profession generally. The panel will share experiences of inequality, prejudice and racial bias to illustrate the effect on their lives and careers. The aim is to educate, encourage and to ultimately create a more inclusive Resolution and legal profession.
Speakers:
HHJ Fayyaz Afzal OBE
Fayyaz was appointed District Judge in 2017, following his appointments as Deputy District Judge in 2010 and Recorder in 2015. On 6 March 2020, the Queen appointed him a Circuit Judge and the Lord Chief Justice has deployed him to the Midland Circuit, based at Derby Combined Court Centre with effect from 16 March 2020. As a District Judge, he had a formidable reputation and this promotion is a recognition of his abilities. Fayyaz has dedicated tremendous time and energy to his role as President of MALA.
Natasha Shotunde
Natasha Shotunde is a barrister at Garden Court Chambers, an elected Bar Council member sitting on the Bar Council’s Equality, Diversity and Social Mobility Committee and the Co-founder and Chair of the Black Barristers’ Network. Her practice has encompassed a variety of practice areas and has a current focus on family law and human rights, as well as working on the Dame Linda Dobbs Review. She her passion for social mobility has driven her to be one of the Bar Council’s first tranche of Social Mobility Advocates, speaking on Channel 5 News and at various events about the subject. She is currently focused on improving the working lives of Black Barristers, increasing their visibility and lobbying for change within the profession.
Alexandra Wilson
Alexandra is a family and criminal law barrister at 5 St Andrew’s Hill. In her family practice, she specialises in children and finance law, particularly cases with an international element. Alexandra founded ‘Black Women in Law’ and co-founded One Case At A Time, a charity to assist disenfranchised minorities in the justice system. She also runs an informal mentoring scheme through her social media ‘EssexBarrister’. Alexandra has written a book, which is published on 13 August 2020 about her experiences of race and class in the justice system. Her book is titled: “In Black and White: A Young Barrister’s Story of Race and Class in a Broken Justice.
Malvika Jaganmohan
Malvika is a family barrister at St Ives Chambers in Birmingham, practising in all areas of family law including public and private law children, and matrimonial finance. Malvika spent nine months as a Legal Officer in a Local Authority legal services department within their childcare team before completing a specialist family law pupillage in London. Malvika is on the Young Legal Aid Lawyers (YLAL) national committee and she is part of The Transparency Project core group. She is also a founding member of Women in Family Law.
Andrew Powell
Andrew Powell is a barrister at 4 Paper Buildings, called in 2008. He specialises in the international movement of children, surrogacy , adoption and child protection cases. He grew up in Birmingham and was one of the first in his family to go to university. Andrew is widely recognised for his expertise in cases concerning children. He is also in demand in cases where the local authority is involved, including those with complex medical evidence and allegations of sexual abuse. He is currently being led by Alex Verdan QC representing a core participant in the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse.
Claudene Howell
Claudene is a Family Law Solicitor at Pearson Hards LLP. She advises clients on all aspects of private family law including divorce, financial and children matters and nuptial agreements. Claudene can assist you with any issue that arises from a relationship breakdown. Claudene is committed to dealing with matters in a non-confrontational and constructive way and as such now sits on the Surrey Resolution Regional Committee and Resolution’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee. Resolution is a group of family lawyers that aim to act in a conciliatory manner.
Moderator:
Oluwapelumi Amanda Adeola
Amanda is a Partner and Solicitor-Advocate at BHP Law in Darlington. She specialises in private family law advising clients on all issues of divorce, financial matters, children act proceedings etc. She is an advocate for diversity in the region where she practices and she amplifies the voices of young lawyers through her monthly #meetayounglawyer series. Amanda also gives time to mentor others seeking to come into the legal profession. Amanda sits on Resolution’s EDI Committee.