An interest in protecting human rights is what draws many to the law, but only a select few manage to forge a career in this fascinating and important branch of the legal profession.
Getting ahead requires not only intelligence and excellent legal skills, but also passion and commitment to the principles of justice. A resolve to forgo the lavish perks of junior City lawyer life is also central to building a career in this area. The reward is some of the best quality and most varied and fulfilling work around.
On the evening of Wednesday 20 February Legal Cheek is partnering with The University of Law (ULaw) to hold an event for aspiring human rights lawyers -- featuring a Question Time-style panel discussion followed by drinks and networking.
On the panel will be leading human rights lawyers: Stephanie Hill, a solicitor in Leigh Day's human rights department; Joanna Bennett, a solicitor in Hodge Jones & Allen's civil liberties department; Lisa Busch QC, a human rights barrister at Cornerstone Barristers; and Garry Green, a criminal law barrister at Doughty Street Chambers. They will be joined by Anitra Hussain, a part time senior lecturer at ULaw and a part time district judge with a background in public law and human rights.
The session will commence from 6pm. After the panel session, chaired by a Legal Cheek journalist, there will be drinks, nibbles and networking with the speakers, trainees and pupils from their firms and members of their graduate recruitment teams.
SPEAKERS
Stephanie Hill, Leigh Day
Stephanie is a solicitor in Leigh Day's human rights department. She frequently acts for clients in immigration detention, including in judicial review proceedings challenging unlawful detention and delays with section 4 bail accommodation. For clients released from detention, she acts in private law compensation claims for false imprisonment and claims relating to curfew conditions. Stephanie also acts for clients in planning and environmental matters and in other challenges to public authorities.
Joanna Bennett, Hodge Jones & Allen
Since joining Hodge Jones & Allen's civil liberties department in 2016, Joanna Bennett's work focuses on claims against the police and other public authorities, including civil actions for assault, false imprisonment, malicious prosecution, discrimination and breach of the Human Rights Act, as well as complaints and public law challenges.
Lisa Busch QC, Cornerstone Barristers
Lisa Busch QC specialises in planning, environmental, local government and public law, including human rights and equalities. Before taking silk, Lisa was on the Attorney-General's A Panel of Counsel (having previously been on the B and C Panels) representing public bodies in some of their most high-profile and challenging cases. She was also on the Panel of Counsel established by the Equality and Human Rights Commission between 2015 and 2018.
Garry Green, Doughty Street Chambers
Garry is consistently instructed to appear in serious crime and high profile cases, notably in homicide trials at the Central Criminal Court (the Old Bailey). The Doughty Street barrister has also been instructed in extradition cases and regulatory hearings. As a result of his expertise Garry has been approached by a number of media organisations including the BBC, ITV and Channel 5 to give an insight about his work on homicide cases and joint enterprise in particular.
Anitra Hussain, ULaw
Anitra Hussain is a part time senior lecturer and part time district judge who presides over cases concerning civil litigation, human rights and tortious claims. She has taught civil litigation and judicial review on the BPTC at the University of Law. Having studied international human rights at the University of Oxford and the London School of Economics, Hussain practised human rights law and immigration law at the Bar before entering academia. Many of her cases involved constructing submissions based on the European Convention of Human Rights, particularly on the use of torture.
Apply to attend below. You’ll be asked to submit a CV and two questions for the panel.