Profile description
In my role as a specialist family law pupil barrister with Clerksroom I am responsible for client care, legal drafting, advising clients in conference and undertaking all forms of advocacy in court. I mainly deal with the following kinds of family law cases:
- Child Arrangements Orders (including cases featuring social services intervention and all forms of abuse)
- Divorce and Financial Settlement
- Non-molestation and Occupation Order Applications
I have the ability to work independently or as part of a team with my mentor (specialist family barrister Phil Bowen) in an organised and pro-active manner. As a result of my time working as a pupil barrister, I have developed an understanding of how multi-disciplinary teams work and how to communicate effectively with colleagues and clients during distressing circumstances. I have the ability to assimilate new information from court papers at short notice and I have become used to working in the fast paced, changeable and challenging environment of court proceedings.
Previous roles
Volunteer - Pro Bono Law Clinic
Before becoming a barrister, I volunteered with the Pro Bono Law Clinic. This role involved communicating with Litigants in Person (LIPs). During the clinic, I witnessed and dealt with a client who suffered from severe mental health disabilities and individuals whose first language was not English. Furthermore, I assisted clients in overcoming language barriers and explaining Judges' rulings. This experience enabled me to utilise my interpersonal and communication skills to good effect.
Student Representative - Inner Temple (Inns of Court)
In this role, I acted as a bridge between BPTC students (aspiring barristers) at the University of the West of England and Inner Temple Inn. I organised a number of specialist training sessions for junior members of the bar. It was my role to manage any grievances with senior barristers and to ensure that the end result was communicated effectively to the aggrieved person.
Advisor - Prison Advice Clinic
This role involved advising convicted prisoners on human rights issues, the appeals process and prison categorisation. This gave me insight into the legal sector and confirmed my desire to pursue a career in law.
Managing Director - Mia Bella Bridal Consultancy
Before becoming a barrister I successfully launched a company and ran all facets of it. My corporate experience spans close to a decade and covers business process improvement, business intelligence, marketing, financial planning, cost analysis, and financial systems development. I specialise in driving change and solving complex problems. This role greatly enhanced my skills as a persuasive negotiator; as managing director, it was imperative to have effective negotiation skills in order to obtain high quality products for the lowest possible cost.
Professional Bodies
• Called to the Bar of England and Wales on 21st October 2019
• Accredited international Commercial and Civil Mediator