On 29 November the University of Westminster Legal Advice Clinic hosted the first Social Justice Law Fair with 31 exhibitors from across the social justice sector and over 100 attendees. Attendees left the fair feeling inspired and with new knowledge and important connections in the social justice sector.
The Social Justice Law Fair was an opportunity for students committed to human rights and social justice and curious about a career in the sector to meet professionals in the field. In addition to interacting with exhibitors, attendees also heard from a panel of speakers comprised of Grace Brown of Garden Court Chambers; Toufique Hossain of Duncan Lewis Solicitors; and Ife Thompson of 1MCB Chambers, Black Protest Legal Support and BLAM UK CIC.
Toufique Hossain, Director of Public Law at Duncan Lewis, spoke to attendees fresh off the back of the Supreme Court decision on the Rwanda case. He emphasised the importance of public law in checking executive powers. His team represented many clients in that case and as one of the lead solicitors, he was able to give an insight into the case and into life as a public law lawyer more broadly.
Grace Brown of Garden Court Chambers and Ife Thompson of 1MCB Chambers, BLAM & Black and Protest Legal Support, spoke about their paths to the bar as working-class Black women. Having been called to the bar in different decades, they were able to paint a picture of the advancements that have been made in representation at the bar and the work still to do.
The Social Justice Law Fair was brought into being by Legal Practice Course graduate Karen Doyle. She said: “As a mature student, charging careers after a lifetime of immigrant rights activism, I was frustrated by the lack of representation of the social justice sector at the law fairs I attended. At the University of Westminster Legal Advice Clinic, I am passionate about advocating for access to justice and developing the next generation of social justice practitioners.
“Sometimes it can feel like a career in the social justice sector may not be viable given the lower wages and a cost-of-living crisis. The Social Justice Law Fair showed that there are people who have worked their whole lives in the sector and the deep satisfaction gained from the work outweighs financial concerns.”
First year Law LLB Honours student, Oluwademilade Adewakun, said: “I found this experience helpful as I could meet and discuss with many others in the legal discipline, gain beneficial advice and learn about several volunteering opportunities. Another beneficial part of my experience was exploring the social justice side of the law. Hearing Karen Doyle talk about her passion for this aspect of law and how greatly it helps and changes people's lives further stimulated this interest. I also learnt more on immigration law and its various complexities. Achieving justice for the vulnerable is something I would love to use my legal knowledge to do in the future.”
Iona Bryant, Talent Acquisition Business Partner from Thompsons Solicitors, said: “I found it insightful and refreshing to see so many students with a passion for social justice. It was well planned for the first event of its kind – I have highly recommended we attend in the future and would like to see more representatives from Thompsons join. Everyone that attended our stand has contact details for our talent team with the premise that we plan to offer work experience opportunities where possible for those who wish to do so.”
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