YLAL’s 20th Anniversary and Dr Laura Janes’ Honorary KC Celebration

On 23 May 2025, YLAL members old and new gathered to celebrate 20 years of YLAL, and our founder, Dr Laura Janes being awarded an Honorary KC.

London South Bank University kindly hosted us, and it was definitely a full circle moment as we celebrated our 10th birthday there too!

It was especially wonderful to see our long-term supporters and alumni continue to show their support for YLAL by signing up to our mentorship scheme, offering space for events, and speaking at our events. A huge thank you to:

• • Isaac Abraham, solicitor at Islington Law Centre;

• • Felicity Williams, barrister at Garden Court Chambers;

• • Katie McFadden, Senior Associate at Hodge Jones Allen;

• • Connor Johnston, barrister at Garden Court Chambers and lead of Law Commission’s review of Disabled Children’s Social Care law;

• • Nadia Salam, solicitor at a London local authority;

• • Ollie Persey, barrister at Garden Court Chambers;

• • Vicky Fewkes, Supervising Solicitor at Ealing Law Centre;

• • Kitan Ososami, barrister at One Pump Court;

• • Ollie Carter, associate solicitor at Irwin Mitchell;

• • Christian Weaver, barrister at Garden Court North Chambers; and

• • Kat Craig, founder and CEO of Athlead;

for speaking on our panel and sharing with us some of their favourite memories of YLAL (including the copious amounts of cake consumed), and how YLAL has impacted their careers.

We then had closing remarks by Andy Slaughter MP (MP of Hammersmith and Chiswick, and Chair of Justice Committee) on the importance of future young legal aid lawyers, and Anna Morris KC (barrister, Garden Court North Chambers) on her experience of working with and knowing Dr Laura Janes through the years. 

We can’t wait to see everyone at our upcoming events and here’s to another 20 years and more of YLAL!