Our Tenth Celebration of Our Inspirations in Law
– 4th November 2025 –
Venue: DLA Piper, London

On 4th November 2025, Next 100 Years and Host Partner, DLA Piper, 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 2025:

Ammara Haider • Laura Wattley • Fiona Donnelly • Misha Salehuddin • Hanisha Patel • Geeta Nayar • Sana Butt • Mila Trezza • Sarita Patel • Emma Davies

Thank you for all the work you do to ensure that equality and diversity continue to grow in the legal profession and for inspiring those who seek to follow in your footsteps!

Paralegal of the Year: Basia Ahmadi, Pearls Eddo, Ammara Haider

Ammara, Global Real Estate Paralegal at Eversheds Sutherland, overcame early self-doubt to excel in law. She leads international portfolios, champions inclusion through Ethnicity and Faith networks, and mentors underrepresented lawyers. They founded “Ammara’s Legal,” which empowers women pursuing legal careers by exemplifying leadership, resilience, and impactful mentorship.

In-House Lawyer of the Year, Sponsored by Obelisk Support: Irene Kamya, Susanna McGibbon, Laura Wattley

Laura Wattley is Senior Legal Counsel at E.ON UK, leading a legal team supporting its multi-million-pound district heating and
generation business. Renowned for promoting workplace inclusion and wellbeing, she co-founded E.ON’s Fertility Forum, helped establish an unlimited paid leave fertility policy and supported paid donor leave. She drives personal and professional thriving across the legal and energy sectors

Legal Academic of the Year: Dr Blerina Xheraj, Dr Amy Elkington, Fiona Donnelly

Fiona Donnelly, Solicitor (Northern Ireland), is a distinguished legal academic and educator with nearly 30 years’ experience. As Associate Director of the Institute of Professional Legal Studies and a faculty member of NITA (USA) and the University of Strathclyde, she has designed and delivered innovative professional legal training, specialising in advocacy and law for vulnerable persons. Reason for winning: Pioneering bespoke training for lawyers on communicating with vulnerable persons, including the creation of the Vulnerable Person Practitioner Certificate and delivery across multiple law societies and professional programmes.

Law Student of the Year, Sponsored by BARBRI: Yuliia Bashkirova, Karen Sullivan, Misha Salehuddin

Misha, a final-year law student, demonstrates outstanding leadership and commitment to inclusion as the President of Women Breaking Barriers and the founder of the Asian Law Students’ Association Leeds, empowering underrepresented students through visibility, mentorship, and community.

Barrister of the Year: Adele Akers, Finalist: Anna Yarde, Hanisha Patel

Hanisha Patel, Barrister at 7 Bedford Row, focuses on family law for vulnerable women from minority backgrounds, including cases of forced marriage, FGM, and honour-based violence. Chair of the Association of Asian Women Lawyers, she has expanded mentoring programmes and created collaborative spaces for women at the Bar. She champions diversity through events, judging, and her role as Equality and Diversity Officer.

Solicitor of the Year, Sponsored by Pickering Pearce: Emma Mack, Juliet Schalker, Geeta Nayar

Geeta Nayar is a Senior Associate Solicitor at Irwin Mitchell and a leading advocate for maternal health. Following life-changing obstetric injuries, she influences national maternity policy, provides peer support, and co-chairs her firm’s diversity network. She founded the landmark South Asian Maternal Health Conference, advocates for health equity, and supports clients, colleagues, and healthcare stakeholders across the UK.

Mentor of the Year, Sponsored by Thrive Law: Joanne Conway, Gillian Geeson, Alexandra Ueno-Park, Laura Barrell, Sana Butt

Sana Butt, Early Careers Talent Acquisition Specialist at DLA Piper, leads recruitment and early careers programmes in London and Dubai. A co-chair of the Mosaic network, she challenges systemic barriers, promotes social equity, and mentors colleagues to embed inclusive practices and develop talent for future legal careers.

Champion of the Year, Sponsored by Serjeants’ Inn: Micah Lee, Joan Scott, Clea Topolski, Catherine Dunmore, Mila Trezza

Mila Trezza, former General Counsel of a Fortune Global 500 energy company—the only woman in the UK to hold this role—and founder of Coaching Lawyers, combines over 25 years of international legal and board experience with a passion for mentoring. She empowers lawyers across regions to expand their leadership potential, drive results, and lead with purpose, while championing diversity and supporting women in the legal profession.

Rising Star of the Year: Maxine Mkurazhizha, Page Nyame-Satterthwaite, Sarita Patel

Sarita is a Junior Commercial Lawyer at National Grid, advising on commercial law, data protection, and AI/technology
matters. With a background in sociology and regulatory analysis, she completed a secondment at DLA Piper LLP and is
committed to widening access, social mobility, and equality in the legal profession.

CILEX Lawyer of the Year, Sponsored by CILEX: Joanna Bailey, Helen Sandrone, Emma Davies

Emma Davies is a Non-Executive Director and Trustee at CILEX, former President, and founding member of a local branch recognised for innovation. She practises Employment Law, Personal Injury, Regulatory Law, and Civil Litigation at Everys Solicitors LLP. Emma’s commitment to advancing CILEX routes and mentoring members demonstrates outstanding leadership and advocacy.

Lifetime Achievement Award: The Rt Hon, the Baroness Hallett DBE PC

Baroness Heather Hallett DBE PC is a retired British judge of the Court of Appeal and a crossbench life peer. She was the first woman to chair the Bar Council in 1998 and the fifth woman to sit in the Court of Appeal. She served as a High Court judge in the Queen’s Bench Division from 1995 and was later appointed to the Court of Appeal in 2005, ultimately becoming Vice-President of its Criminal Division in 2013. She has led several high-profile inquests, including the 7/7 London bombings inquests (2005–2010), and conducted independent reviews, such as the Hallett Review on administrative schemes in Northern Ireland (2014). Since 2021, she has chaired the UK COVID-19 Inquiry, overseeing an extensive examination of the government’s handling of the pandemic. Created a life peer in 2019, Baroness Hallett continues to influence the legal profession through her leadership, integrity, and commitment to justice. She also served as Chair of the Diversity Committee of the Judges’ Council for several years, promoting the encouragement of lawyers—regardless of race, gender, or background—to consider a career on the bench.

A special thank you to our excellent keynote speakers for the evening: HHJ Khatun Sapnara, Kirsty Brimelow, Terry Miller CBE,