We are a voluntary Law Society-affiliated organisation focused on helping make the world around us a better, happier place for Surrey's junior lawyers. With the help of our energetic committee, we organise exciting networking and educational events, fundraisers for charities close to our hearts and support sessions for our members.
Like the Junior Lawyers Division, membership with us is free and automatic. If you're a junior lawyer, you're a member. Our members currently include LPC and BPC students and graduates, paralegals, chartered legal executives, conveyancers, trainee solicitors, solicitor apprentices, solicitors of up to 5 years’ PQE, pupil barristers and junior barristers of up to 5 years’ practice.
To visit the LinkedIn pages of each of our committee members, just click their photo.
“It is so reassuring to be able to inform students of the brilliant work and support that Surrey JLD is able to provide.”
Bethany Walker is a solicitor in Private Wealth at Moore Barlow. As Chair, she is responsible for managing our committee as well as deciding it’s direction for the year.
As Universities & Colleges Representative, she liaises with local sixth forms, colleges, and universities, targeting those who may be interested in a future career in law, along with being a point of contact for students looking to find out more about what Surrey JLD can offer them as aspiring and junior lawyers.
Bethany had no legal connections or general knowledge of the legal profession system prior to applying for vacation schemes and training contracts, so she would have loved to have known Surrey JLD was on hand for discussions and support throughout her junior career. Due to the diversity and inclusion issues with which the legal industry still grapples, she feels it is so important to widen Surrey JLD’s outreach to aspiring lawyers to support them on their journeys to becoming junior lawyers.
“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 solicitor at Moore Barlow LLP having qualified with the firm in March 2023. He currently leads the Moore Barlow Surrey Young Professionals Group, a committee of the firm’s junior lawyers that meet to arrange quarterly networking events for junior professionals in Surrey.
"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 and assists Bethany and Alex in managing the committee. Bisma also looks after our sponsors and ensures Surrey JLD partner and work with all organisations who can provide insight and support to our members.
Her love for social media and marketing still stands today, being involved in the marketing and website management of Neurodiversity in Law as part of its advisory committee.
Bisma went on to study her MA in Law conversion course before going down the route to the Bar and completing the Bar Practice Course. She was called to the Bar of England and Wales in July 2022.
“One of my favourite things about JLD committee members is that none of them have had a golden path into law. They know the pain and the struggle, and they want to help."
Martin is a property solicitor at Julie West Solicitors, and as our national JLD representative, he 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.
During the lockdowns, Martin kept Surrey JLD active with the ‘Cocoa With The Committee’ and ‘Surrey JLD on Tour' initiatives, preventing Surrey JLD from falling dormant like other JLDs. He also set up a working group for local JLDs in the Home Counties, comprised of Surrey JLD, JLD Berks, Bucks & Oxon, Herts JLD, and Northants Bucks JLD.
Martin has been recognised for his efforts in supporting aspiring and junior lawyers, including being shortlisted for The Law Society's Legal Heroes in 2023 and winning Surrey Law Society’s Rising Star of the Year in 2021.
“I am a firmer believer in the idea that intellectual diversity is just as important as cultural diversity.”
Kabina is thrilled to introduce herself as the Digital Marketing Representative, dedicated to connecting our vibrant legal community through the digital realm.
Kabina is currently enrolled in the LLM SQE 1 and 2 programme at the University of Law, having obtained her LLB at the University of Reading. Her experience in managing social media handles, leading committee members, and effectively promoting events across universities as the Social Media Manager and then President of her university’s Nepalese Society makes her a great fit for the position of Digital Marketing Representative.
She is committed to enhancing communications, fostering connections, and community engagement. She is excited to contribute to the growth of the Surrey Junior Lawyers Division.
“I feel incredibly lucky to have been welcomed with open arms to SLJD events. At first, I was nervous as I was so early on in my legal career and thought I would be the ‘odd one out’, but I have never been made to feel like that, I have only ever felt supported and at any event I attend, I feel able to speak to anybody there.”
Daisy Welland is an incoming trainee solicitor at Moore Barlow LLP and is currently completing her LPC LLM at the University of Law’s Guildford campus, where she is a student ambassador for the University. 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.
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.
Seema is a commercial property solicitor at Howell-Jones LLP and, as well as being Treasurer, she started the role of SQE Representative for Surrey JLD.
As Treasurer, Seema oversees the committee’s finances. In her role as SQE Representative, Seema offers guidance to anyone with questions about the SQE, whilst offering personal insight through being amongst the first cohort to take the exams.
Having worked full-time as a legal secretary whilst completing her LLB and SQE part-time, Seema appreciates the importance of, and hard work that goes into, non-traditional routes to law.
“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.
Alexandra Pruvost
“It’s good to talk.”
As a Blackfords LLP solicitor who specialises in childcare proceedings, Alexandra readily appreciates the demanding nature of the legal profession and the need for individuals to prioritise their well-being.
Over the years, she has used mindful techniques to physical exercise, which she has found to be effective ways to switch off, recharge and promote a positive state of mind. Alexandra hopes that she can share her experiences with other individuals within the legal field who struggle to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Daniella Mcleod
“I’d say the purpose of any local Junior Lawyers Division is making you feel better.”
Daniella is an in-house contract manager at Cisilion having finished her LPC in 2022 and trying to qualify as a solicitor via alternative means. Being an in-house lawyer presents different challenges to private practice so she is keen to bring wellness, mental health and positive thinking to the forefront of people’s minds.
Daniella prides herself on being outspoken and having a passion to speak up for the little guy, which may be the main reason why she has wanted to work in law since about the age of 10. She often finds that those in law don’t realise how much their mental resilience is depleted until reminded, so considers perhaps the most important aspect of her role is gently reminding people to look after themselves and then signposting ways in which they can achieve better wellness.
“Enjoyment is always at the forefront of my mind when organising events.”
Daniel is a trainee solicitor at Howell-Jones LLP and part of the firm’s Social and Fundraising Committee. In this role he has been involved in the planning of events such as a bowling event, escape room and the firm’s summer party, where the raffle and silent auction were among his responsibilities. As Events Representative Daniel not only organises events but, most importantly, makes sure everyone is having a great time!
“The ability to network, learn from and socialise with other lawyers is of the utmost importance within our industry and is something which I personally advocate for.”
Ellie is a private wealth disputes associate at Stevens & Bolton LLP. She was an events representative for the Kent JLD and organised a range of events from shuffleboard to a cheeseboard & quiz night, along with the annual Junior Lawyer award ‘s at the Tonbridge and Tonbridge Wells Law Society annual dinner. Ellie is keen to organise social and networking opportunities for junior lawyers in Surrey.
“I understand how tough it is to crack into law and have seen first-hand how taxing the profession can be. I massively value the work SJLD does to assist, advise and support both aspiring and junior laywers within the community and cannot wait to get involved".
Joe is a Legal Assistant at Hart Brown in the Corporate and Commercial team, based in the Guildford office. Joe hopes to start his SQE and formal training to become a solicitor next year and, in the meantime, will take up the role of Events Representative of the SJLD, alongside Daniel Hart and Ellie Sullivan.
Joe has a long history of planning fantastic events, for example whilst in the role of Careers Officer for Cardiff University Law Society, and cannot wait to incorporate this experience into planning brilliant events for SJLD's members that have a D&I and mental health focus.
“You can’t keep picking fruit from a tree without nurturing its roots”
Katie is a trainee solicitor at Charles Russell Speechlys, due to qualify in August 2024. 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.
“There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.”
I am very delighted to introduce myself as the SJLD Career Changer Representative. As a current LPC student at The University of Law, Guildford, I am very enthusiastic to see people move forward towards their dreams and ambitions.
My background is Nursing, I worked as NHS Advanced Practitioner for over 10 years, having obtained my BSc Hons at Kingston University London and Post Graduate Degree at Surrey University Guildford. I decided to pursue a career in law and studied Graduate Diploma in Law at The University of Law, Guildford.
As the Class Representative for LPC at The University of Law Guildford and having worked various volunteering roles as Legal Adviser for The University of Law, Citizens Advice, Walts Disney, and Boyes Turner LLP. I have excelled in proactively supporting students from diverse backgrounds to pursue their dreams as aspiring lawyers.
I am committed to using my transferable skills in providing support to Surrey JLD members and Law Students from different career backgrounds towards their route to law.
“I hope that by joining the SJLD, I am able to share the benefits of a career in-house. We are trusted advisors and business partners and help drive the strategic direction in organisations. Working in-house gives greater opportunity for influence and is the perfect environment for early-in-career legal professionals to mean fully broaden and enrich their experience”
Jasmine is in-house legal counsel and trainer solicitor at QinetiQ. She has completed a seat in Intellectual Property and is currently undertaking a seat in Employment. With Corporate and Commercial seats to follow, Jasmine is due to qualified in October 2024 and thoroughly enjoys the creativity and flexibility working in-house offers.
Having worked in support roles in private practice for several years, Jasmine is now passionate about raising awareness around the benefits of working in-house and wants to go encourage others to pursue in-house opportunities and alternative routes to legal practice. Jasmine most enjoys working as an integrated part of the business and engaging in a strategy and collaborative work for her stakeholders and the wider company.
“I am proudly an Asian woman and throughout my professional career I have been, and will continue to be, an advocate for equality and inclusivity for all, regardless of any protected characteristics they may have.”
Lavanya is a private client solicitor at Howell-Jones LLP. She completed her training contract with a national firm and was part of the Diversity, Equality, and Inclusivity Committee, where she was particularly focused on identifying what the firm could do better and shared her findings with the Committee to understand what was working well and what needed to be improved.
Since joining Howell-Jones LLP she assisted its Diversity, Inclusivity & Equality Committee, and the firm by organising the data required to be shared on its website, to make sure it was all the more easily accessible and legible.
“I aim to foster an environment that celebrates the unique perspectives and experiences of my fellow colleagues within the profession where every voice is heard, valued, and empowered to make a lasting impact.”
Julia is a family solicitor at Blackfords LLP where she encounters a range of clients from various walks of life. She believes it is paramount that their individual and unique characteristics are celebrated and not subdued, and that by embracing differences, we unlock innovation, creativity, and a deeper understanding of the people we serve and encounter.
“My name is Joshua Schonegevel, and I am a current MA Law (conversion) student with the University of Law’s Guildford campus. As the ULaw Representative for the Surrey Junior Lawyers Division, I strive to help students build their network and aim to facilitate mentoring opportunities with practising lawyers to launch their legal careers.”
Joshua is studying an MA Law conversion course at the University of Law in Guildford, following a History degree from University College London. Having been part of the UCL Law For All Society, he appreciates the usefulness to students of networking with practising lawyers and the value of Surrey JLD in providing such opportunities to connect.
As ULaw Representative, Joshua strives to build up awareness of Surrey JLD at the Guildford campus and beyond, happily being a chief point of contact for students to make any enquiries or voice any concerns or suggestions which may benefit our members.
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