My Story and CV

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Thank you for visiting my website. I am a barrister, continuing to develop a successful career in law.  I am also the Founding Chair of the Association of Disabled Lawyers, a community and network for disabled lawyers. I help organisations to become diverse and inclusive in addition to my legal career.

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My journey to a career as a barrister started at 14. It was built upon a strong desire to help others achieve justice and find entitlement or redress in the complexities and technicalities of the law. The road to law was not an easy one to navigate.  I was told that I would fail in building a legal career because of my impairments and special needs education. Nevertheless, I will always be proud to be a disabled person and of the special needs education that gave me the best foundation to develop my personality, drive and ambition. 

I moved from special needs education to a mainstream college to complete my A-levels. The best colleges in the North-West offered me unexpected offers because of my social class and special needs education. The belief they invested in me seems to have been justified because I attained solid grades and the Student of the Year Award for each year I was at college.

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I left Manchester to attend Queen Mary University of London, a Russell Group university, to complete a qualifying Law degree. As an undergraduate, I obtained an upper second-class degree (2:1). I also undertook several campaigns to improve equality, diversity, and accessibility. One led to an equality and diversity policy being enacted. Another was awarded ‘Campaign of the Year 2013’ after leading to £400k being dedicated to improving accessibility on campus. I have also led teams that have published guidance on discrimination rights.

I wanted to enhance my legal knowledge and skills to maximise my chances of becoming a barrister. I undertook master's degrees in Human Rights Law and Bar Professional Training to achieve this aim and complete the university part of qualifying as a barrister. The academic demand of these courses was significant, especially whilst managing my impairment and overcoming societal barriers, discrimination and prejudice, but I was graded Distinction in both courses.

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On this journey, I enjoy working with non-governmental organisations to contribute to the social good. NGOs campaign on essential issues, such as animal rights, human rights, environmental protection, access to justice, etc. Working for NGOs provides the opportunity to push for change. I previously worked with Disability Rights UK ('DR UK') as a trustee and Chair of the Income Generation Committee. DR UK works with its members to influence national policy on independent living, benefits, education, employment, transport, human rights and other issues. It also shapes such policies through direct experience and expertise.  We also work with our local individual and organisation members to empower and influence local policy and services. I have also been responsible for policy, procedures and youth groups as part of my trusteeship with Regard. I wrote and maintained the charity's policies and liaised with youth groups to provide knowledge, support and expertise. Regard is a national organisation of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender and queer people ("LGBTQ") who self-identify as disabled. It aims to provide information, advice and support to LGBTQ disabled people, raise awareness and campaign on issues affecting disabled LGBTQ people and combat social isolation among LGBTQ disabled people.​

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