Welcome to the Young Lawyers Programme

As Joint Chairs of the Young Commonwealth Lawyers Association Committee, we invite you to join us on Sunday 5th March for a bespoke Conference day designed with young lawyers as the focus.

The Programme will give participants an immersive experience through a series of talks, interactive sessions and mentoring, led by a group of experienced international legal professionals from around the Commonwealth.

The day will provide access to expert knowledge and training along with a unique opportunity to network and connect with peers and invited guest speakers.

We expect those attending to leave having been inspired and encouraged after spending the day listening to, and engaging with, fellow young lawyers and those with many years of experience.

The event will close with access to a networking welcome cocktail reception at the Taj Hotel rooftop Terrace.

We look forward to welcoming you

Joanna Robinson

Joint Chair, Young Commonwealth Lawyers Association

Head of Quality & Standards at the Council of the Inns of Court in London

Darshani Parsuramen

Joint Chair, Young Commonwealth Lawyers Association

Eligible to attend : The programme is open to all lawyers or students of law who are under the age of 40 years.

Testimonials from the Young Lawyers Day at the CLC21, Nassau

"The Commonwealth Law Conference attracts some of the best and brightest from across the globe, including Attorney Generals, Chief Justices, Prime Ministers and Presidents of Law Societies. As a Young Lawyer it can be intimidating attending a conference with such high-profile delegates. The CLA recognises this and wants everyone to feel welcome and valued. That is why the first day of the conference is dedicated specifically to the Young Lawyers. The day is the perfect opportunity for Young Lawyers to get together and meet with each other in a supportive and friendly environment. Last year's Young Lawyer's day was my introduction to my first conference and I loved it. There were interactive presentations on topics from ESG to Ethics from sitting Appeal Court Judges, and then the opportunity to ask questions of Justice Ministers and the President of the Nigerian Law Society on anything from equality and diversity to career progression. I was hugely impressed by the amount of time and energy these senior figures invested in me and the other young lawyers. It really made me feel like a part of the conference and I made some wonderful connections that I have kept up with since the conference ended."

Max Davis, Dubai

I gained a wealth of insight and knowledge from the sessions I was able to attend. I was also very privileged to meet and interact with some very important and highly esteemed senior lawyers, retired judges and principals of various international bodies, who imparted great wisdom and shared their war stories in the field of Law. I certainly look forward to attending and participating in Goa.

 

Stella, Zimbabwe
Young Lawyers Day Programme
TIME TOPIC
9.00 – 9.20 Introductions and President’s Welcome

Introductions:
Joanna Robinson Co-Chair of YCLA
President’s Welcome:
Dr Peter Maynard KC – Covering the work of the CLA and the importance of input from the junior profession.
David White – Senior Political Advisor at the British High Commission in India – welcome from sponsor.
Esther Hadassah Igoche –YCLA Committee member for Nigeria
9.20 – 10.00
Daye Gang

Discomfort in Growth: Law and Life after Lockdowns

Daye Gang is a junior lawyer from Australia who has undertaken work which has had an impact across jurisdictions.
10.10 – 10.30 Break
10.30 – 12.00 Ethics in Action
Ethics is integrity; calamity is the test of integrity

Interactive session where Jerome Lynch KC will take those present through a series of ethical dilemmas.
12.00- 12.40
Moray McLaren

Navigating the career that I want in law

Moray McLaren will present via a recording.
13.00 – 14.00 Lunch
14.00 - 15.00 Thoughts from Bar Leaders

Bar Leaders talk about the challenges facing the profession in their jurisdictions and what young lawyers can bring to that table.

To be chaired by Joanna Robinson

Nick Vineall KC – Chair of the Bar Council of England and Wales
Karen Cheah Yee Lynn – President of the Bar Council Malaysia
Ruggles Ferguson – President of OCCBAR
15.00 - 15.30 Break
15.30 – 17.00 Speed Mentoring

Attendees will be split into small groups where mentors will answer their questions. Topics of interest might include specialisation, advancement and CPD. It is expected that those present will learn from the mentors but also from hearing from each other.
  Free time
17.30 onwards Networking Reception

Young lawyers and invited senior practitioners will have the opportunity to meet each other prior to the start of the full conference welcome reception and dinner at 6.00pm.

Meet at the Rooftop Terrace at the Taj Hotel