Alex Watson-Lee
Chair
“I enjoy working as part of a solid team and I know that the SJLD committee is a great example of this from the work that I have witnessed SJLD complete to date.”
Alex is a Private Wealth Disputes Associate at Charles Russell Speechlys, having trained and qualified with a Top 100 UK law firm in 2023 before moving to CRS in 2024.
Bisma Hussain
Vice Chair
"As an unregistered barrister, I am keen to reach out to those who are also choosing whether to be a barrister or a solicitor."
Bisma is a Trainee Solicitor at Blackfords LLP.
Bethany Walker
Immediate Past Chair
Bethany Walker is an Associate in the Private Client team at Russell-Cooke. Bethany sat as the SJLD Chair for the 2023/24 term as well as the Universities & Colleges Representative from 2021 to 2024.
For the 2024/25 term, Bethany supports the Committee in her role as Immediate Past Chair, alongside her new role on the Law Society Council of England and Wales as a Council Member for the Junior Solicitors (0-6 years’ PQE) constituency.
Seema Gill
Treasurer
Seema is a commercial property solicitor at Howell-Jones LLP and oversees the committee’s finances in her role as Treasurer for Surrey JLD.
Seema is happy to offer guidance to members on the SQE, having been amongst the first cohort to take the exams. Having worked full-time as a legal secretary/paralegal whilst completing her LLB and SQE part-time, she is also keen to support others going through non-traditional routes to law.
Daisy Welland
Secretary
“SJLD has been crucial in helping me to improve my networking skills and expand my legal connections. Their events are great to help get your foot in the door and I would not be where I am today without them."
Daisy Welland is a Trainee Solicitor at Moore Barlow LLP due to qualify in September 2026. Having attended our events since 2020 as a first year LLB student with no legal background, Surrey JLD was her first real experience of networking with paralegals, trainees, solicitors, and barristers.
Daisy recently completed her LPC LLM at the University of Law, where she received a Distinction grade. At university, she was a Student Ambassador and also participated in events, such as the Surrey Law Society Client Interviewing Competition and Crown Court Mock Trials. Daisy also received an award for achieving the highest grade on her LLB, with an average percentage of 86%.
As Secretary of the Committee, Daisy helps with the administration for the Committee meetings. Daisy also organises events aimed at people pursuing a career in law, including talks on vacation schemes and training contracts.
Daisy is passionate about networking and providing support to other law students.
Daisy Daynes
National JLD Representative
Daisy Daynes is a second year trainee solicitor at McDermott Will and Emery LLP, currently within the litigation and disputes team. Daisy completed her LLM (SQE1&2) at the University of Law’s Guildford campus, where she also acted as national Women’s Officer. Before joining McDermott Will and Emery LLP, Daisy also worked in the legal department at the Bar Standards Board, gaining valuable experience in regulation and legal procedure.
Having previously hosted an event in conjunction with the JLD, Daisy applied for the role of JLD National Representative with a view to connect with other legal professionals and share experiences.
As part of her role, Daisy represents Surrey at national JLD committee meetings at The Law Society. The JLD national committee represents JLD members across England and Wales, providing a forum for issues affecting junior lawyers to be discussed and policy positions to be settled.
Katie Foulds
Surrey Law Society Representative
“You can’t keep picking fruit from a tree without nurturing its roots”
Katie is an Associate at Charles Russell Speechlys, specialising in Private Wealth Disputes (contentious trusts and estates). At university, she loved being a part of various committees and particularly enjoyed her role as Secretary of Oxford’s First-Generation Society – a society for students who were the first in their family to go to university. Katie and her fellow committee members ‘revamped’ the Society, completely rebranding and reorientating it so that their events were better publicised and attended.
Katie was also the Academic Affairs Officer at her university college which entailed representing the student body at important meetings with senior academics. Similarly, she had a key role in a charitable start-up (Project Access UK) focused on access to top universities. As Head of UK Campus Teams, she worked with campus leaders at various universities to coordinate messaging and events and acted as the go-between between campus teams and Project Access’ senior team.
Katie is originally from the Midlands but has settled into life in Surrey. She is excited to connect with the local legal community through her role as Surrey Law Society Representative.
Bethany Catchpole
Digital Marketing Representative & Diversity & Inclusion Representative
Bethany qualified as a Private Client solicitor at Charles Russell Speechlys LLP after completing her training contract with the firm.
Bethany is passionate about increasing diversity, equity and inclusion within the legal profession and has carried out research into the best ways of facilitating change across all levels of career progression. As part of her role as DEI Representative, Bethany arranges events which gives a platform to individuals from a range of backgrounds, enabling them to share their experiences and advice with SJLD members.
Bethany is also our Digital Marketing Representative, and is in the process of updating the SJLD’s marketing channels to promote engagement - keep your eyes peeled for updates coming soon!
Joanna Earl
Charity Representative
“Every action makes a difference.”
Joanna is a trainee solicitor at Moore Barlow LLP due to qualify in September 2025 and has immersed herself in a number of charity roles and projects over the years. At school she volunteered at a community shop and was a Charity Prefect. At university she was Fundraising Officer for the Equestrian Society and organised pub quizzes, a Christmas and Spring charity dinner along with a sponsored walking challenge to raise money for that year’s chosen charity.
In addition, Joanna was on the Pro Bono Society committee at university, working specifically with penal reform charity The Howard League. She also volunteered at a Citizens Advice Bureau alongside her studies. This makes her a natural fit for the role of Charity Representative.
Kali Phelan
Events Representative
Kali is currently a Legal Assistant at Moore Barlow in Guildford and a recent LLB graduate from Royal Holloway University. With extensive experience in planning and organising events, both as a student leader for a university charity and in previous professional roles, Kali has developed strong project management and communication skills.
Driven to become a Solicitor, she understands the competitive nature of the legal profession. This motivated her to join the SJLD, where she aims to assist and support others on similar career paths. Kali is dedicated to fostering a supportive community for aspiring legal professionals and is eager to contribute her event-planning expertise to the SJLD.
Astor Chan
Events Representative
Astor is currently training to become a solicitor at Penningtons Manches Cooper, with a strong passion for championing diversity, inclusion, and mental health and well-being in the workplace. In addition to her professional interests, she is dedicated to various social causes, including promoting animal welfare and assisting the homeless through charitable fundraising and volunteering.
In her free time, Astor enjoys a range of hobbies, such as fine art and music. She is recognized by her friends and colleagues for her outgoing personality and her exceptional ability to organize memorable events, which she attributes to her international background and unique cultural experiences. Astor's attention to detail and commitment to building strong, trusting professional relationships create an enjoyable and engaging environment for all.
Ellie Sullivan
Sponsorship Representative
Ellie is a private wealth disputes solicitor at Stevens & Bolton LLP and initially joined SJLD as an events representative for the 23/24 term.
As Sponsorship Representative, Ellie is responsible for developing and managing relationships with our sponsors and ensuring that the SJLD has links with the wider community to assist the events representatives with the delivery of events for the SJLD members.
Akarsshaa Bhargava
Universities & Colleges Representative
Akarsshaa sits as the SJLD’s Universities & Colleges Representative and is a second-year law student at the University of Southampton actively involved in various initiatives. She has gained hands-on experience in commercial law, intellectual property, and client communications, something she hopes to develop as an aspiring commercial/IP lawyer. Additionally, her participation in her university’s Pro Bono Clinic led to her gaining a certificate of recognition.
Akarsshaa has developed strong leadership abilities, founding her school’s Law Society and magazine and currently holds multiple ambassadorial roles promoting legal awareness, opportunities and education.