Our Ninth Celebration of Our Inspirations in Law
– 5th November 2024 –
Venue: Clifford Chance, London

On 5th November 2023, Next 100 Years, Headline Sponsor, Fulcrum GT, and Host Partner, Clifford Chance, invited patrons, sponsors, and guests from across the legal profession to gather together in celebration of ‘Our Inspirations in Law’. It was a privilege to bring so many inspirational women together in celebration of their peers, and a delight to see old connections reunite and new connections being forged.

We are excited to announce our ‘Inspirational Women in Law’ winners for 2024:

Gbemi Akanbi • Tamina Greaves • Professor Paula Giliker • Jodiann Gayle • Emma-Louise Fenelon • Jacqueline McGuigan • Anuja Dhir KC • Molly Lewis • Jessikah Inaba • Sally Sargesson

Thank you for all the work you do to ensure equality and diversity continues to grow in the legal profession, and to inspire those who seek to follow in your footsteps!

Paralegal of the Year: Ella Lawrence, Alexandra Simpson, Gbemi Akanbi

Gbemi Akanbi is a skilled paralegal with expertise in immigration and family law. Gbemi is also the founder of BlackWomenAspiringLawyers, a non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting Black women in pursuing successful legal careers. Additionally, she is a Masterclass Programme Candidate at the Patchwork Foundation, a charity that encourages the positive integration of underrepresented, disadvantaged & minority communities into British political society. Akanbi is extremely well-deserving of this award, her work consistently displaying a keen commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion.

In-House Lawyer of the Year, Sponsored by Obelisk Support: Alexandra Wilson, Helen Wilson, Tamina Greaves

Tamina Greaves deserves recognition for her impressive contributions as an in-house lawyer, particularly through her work with the Crown Prosecution Service in the West Midlands. She plays a pivotal role in advising on complex criminal matters, making key decisions on investigations and managing cases from start to finish. Additionally, as Co-Chair of Birmingham Black Lawyers, Tamina is actively working to increase diversity within the legal profession, particularly in the Birmingham and West Midlands regions. Her dedication to both legal excellence and community empowerment makes her extremely deserving of this award​.

Legal Academic of the Year: Professor Erika Rackley, Doctor Judith Bourne, Professor Paula Giliker

Professor Paula Giliker is an impressive legal academic who has made outstanding contributions to legal academia, particularly in the field of comparative and European private law. One of her recent achievements includes the publication of the third edition of her book, Vicarious Liability in Tort: A Comparative Perspective, which has become a leading text in the field. Her work significantly influences both academic discourse and practical legal application, particularly in understanding the complexities of liability law across different jurisdictions. As a professor at the University of Bristol, she has also played a key role in mentoring young academics and advancing legal scholarship.

Law Student of the Year, Sponsored by Barbri: Comfort Adeoje Sulaiman, Dineshtga Frandsen, Jodiann Gayle

Jodiann Gayle is an exceptional law student who has displayed her commitment to diversity & inclusion in the legal industry by founding Legalnable, a platform aimed at making legal information more accessible to the public. In addition to her academic excellence, demonstrated by her strong performance in national mooting competitions, Jodiann’s initiative with Legalnable highlights her commitment to empowering others through legal knowledge. Her leadership in bridging the gap between the law and everyday people, combined with her passion for social justice, makes her a standout law student.

Barrister of the Year: Racheal Muldoon, Saira Kabir Sheikh KC, Emma-Louise Fenelon

Emma-Louise Fenelon is a barrister at 1 Crown Office Row, specialising in clinical negligence, personal injury, and public law. She is known for her expertise in human rights and medical law. In addition to her legal practice, Emma-Louise is a prolific podcaster and contributor to online legal commentary, particularly as a presenter on the “Law Pod UK” podcast, which discusses significant legal issues and cases. Her podcast has significantly raised public awareness of complex legal issues, making law more accessible. We hope to draw attention to Emma-Louise’s combination of legal expertise and commitment to education by granting her this award.

Solicitor of the Year, Sponsored by Honey Legal: Emma Mack, Shainul Kassam, Jacqueline McGuigan

Jacqueline McGuigan is the Co-Founder and Principal of TMP Solicitors, specialising in employment and discrimination law. Recently, she has successfully represented whistleblowers and employees in high-profile cases involving workplace harassment and unfair dismissal, demonstrating her commitment to justice for vulnerable individuals. Jacqueline’s leadership and expertise in employment and discrimination law have made a significant impact in advocating for fair treatment in the workplace, and her work reflects a deep commitment to justice and equality in the workplace.

Mentor of the Year, Sponsored by Fulcrum GT: Cheryl Jones, Domenica Giorgianni, Rosie Hendon, Justice Judith Gleeson, Anuja Dhir KC

Anuja Dhir KC deserves recognition for her outstanding mentorship in law, particularly through her extensive involvement in training and supporting aspiring legal professionals. As a former barrister and current Circuit Judge at the Old Bailey, she has dedicated her career to fostering talent and promoting diversity within the legal field. Anuja has served as Master of Students and Master of Debates at Gray’s Inn, where she has developed and implemented initiatives aimed at supporting underrepresented groups in pursuing legal careers. Recently, she has been actively involved in mentoring candidates for judicial appointments, providing invaluable guidance on navigating the selection process and enhancing their professional skills.

Champion of the Year, Sponsored by Serjeants’ Inn: Maybo Chong-Brewster, Nedra Daniel, Rachel Pears, Laura Brunnen, Molly Lewis

Molly Lewis is a lawyer and Associate in the commercial dispute resolution group at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer. She has experience in a variety of business sectors, including financial institutions, professional services firms, and corporates. Lewis is also a board member of PRIME Commitment, a social mobility organisation that works to challenge barriers for students from less privileged backgrounds. She mentors students on the Aspiring Solicitors START and APP schemes, and supports other social mobility schemes at Freshfields. Her work highlights her commitment to justice and makes her a deserving winner of this award.

Rising Star of the Year, Sponsored by Pickering Pearce: Eleanor Ruiz, Tawana Robertson, Jo-Anne Dodd, Amelia Platton, Jessikah Inaba

Jessikah Inaba is a remarkable woman, particularly but not exclusively because she is the first blind Black barrister in the UK. She completed her legal studies at the University of Law and was called to the Bar at the prestigious Inner Temple. What makes her achievement remarkable is that she studied without access to key learning materials, due to delays in braille transcription, overcoming significant challenges with determination and hard work. Jessikah is a vocal advocate for accessibility in education and the workplace, and her resilience in the face of adversity is truly inspiring.

CILEX Lawyer of the Year, Sponsored by CILEX: Joanna Bailey, Caroline Sandiford, Sally Sargesson

Sally Sargesson deserves recognition for her outstanding work as a CILEX lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, where she specialises in contentious probate and inheritance disputes. Her contributions to complex cases consistently showcase her commitment to and expertise of her field. In her role, Sally is not only dedicated to her clients but also contributes to the wider legal community by mentoring aspiring legal professionals. She actively supports junior lawyers and paralegals, sharing her knowledge and experience to help them navigate the complexities of the legal field. Her dedication to fostering the next generation of legal talent reflects her passion for the profession and her commitment to making a positive impact in the legal community.

Lifetime Achievement Award: Baroness Harriet Ruth Harman

Baroness Ruth Harriet Harman is a distinguished British politician and solicitor, recognized as one of the longest-serving Members of Parliament in UK history. Since entering Parliament in 1982, she has championed numerous causes, particularly in the realms of employment rights, equality legislation, and social justice. Harman has held various influential roles, including Secretary of State for Social Security and the first Minister for Women, where she advanced policies like the minimum wage and improved childcare provisions. Her leadership during her tenure as Deputy Leader of the Labour Party and her role as a prominent advocate for women in politics solidified her reputation as a trailblazer in the field. Her tireless advocacy for equality and social reform makes her a deserving candidate for recognition, reflecting her enduring impact on British society and politics​.

A special thank you to our excellent keynote speakers for the evening: I. Stephanie Boyce, Baroness Shami Chakrabarti, Millicent Grant KC (Hon), Baroness Harriet Ruth Harman, and Lady Simler!