Michael Beaumont: Hard of Hearing, Michael is a third year student of a LL.B. with the Open University and College of Law.

Alison Bryan: Deaf, Alison obtained her LL.B. at the University of Birmingham and since graduation has taught both in Further and Higher Education. In addition, she has worked with probation and youth justice services; and has also worked in the voluntary sector up to senior management level. Alison has managed an advice service. She is particularly interested in policy around Deaf issues plus minority languages. She has started her Legal Practice Course twice, but subsequently had to withdraw due to lack of funding for interpreters. Equal opportunties is an issue close to her heart.

Marisa Cawthorne: Deaf, Marisa is studying Law with Politics (BA Hons), a qualifying law degree, at the University of Manchester. She has a keen interest in immigration and disability and is looking to work in this field, either as a solicitor or barrister. She would be very grateful to anyone who would like to provide her with advice as to which position might be most suitable for the field.

Ian Davies: Hard of Hearing, Ian is currently studying for his CPE at the University of Glamorgan. His previous qualifications include BSc(Hons) Economics at LSE, MSc Information Technology & MBA at the University of Glamorgan. Ian has worked in IT and management consultancy in the automotive industry until recently being redundant. His move to Law is have something to keep the “little grey cells” moving! He is currently thinking about becoming a barrister if his mini pupillage goes okay.

Richard Dunford: Deaf, Richard passed his Solicitors Finals and Articles a while ago. Since he has worked as an employed solicitor for 18 years, at the London Borough of Newham, to the level of Acting Principal Solicitor for the borough. He has recently been appointed to the Head of Procurement and Contract at the London Development Agency. Outside his work, he is a trustee of Sign. Richard has been involved with the Group for Solicitors with Disabilties since its inception, and has previously been its past Chairman.

Shobha Edgell: Hard of Hearing, is an employed Barrister, who works at Hertfordshire Magistrates Court Service. She has been a member of the Bar Council’s Disability Committee, a Sub Committee of the Bar Council, for the past 7 years.

Anna Ferguson: Deaf, Anna is a student at Sheffield Hallam University.

John Savva: Deaf, John obtained his LL.B. at the University of Wolverhampton. Since graduation, he has worked in the voluntary sector as a Policy Officer, advising a Senior Management Team, and he has also been employed as an Advice Worker. His latest post was advising Deaf people via a national Helpline Service. John recently completed a mini pupillage, and has a dream to become a barrister. He currently is looking into funding for interpreters to achieve this.

Sara Smyth: Hard of Hearing, Sara is a Trainee Solicitor with Rowley Ashworth Solicitors, an Employment law firm in London. She completed her LL.B. at Queen’s University Belfast, her LL.M. in Human Rights at UCL, and her LPC at the College of Law. Sara is interested in finding out how others manage in court/tribunals as she is expected to begin advocacy work fairly shortly.

Rob Wilks: Deaf, Rob is a Solicitor and Casework Supervisor with the Royal Association for Deaf People. His specialist area is employment law, but he also practises social welfare, housing and immigration law. Rob obtained a BA in History at the University of Wales, Swansea, and having decided to pursue a career in Law, he completed the CPE at UWE, and the LPC at Cardiff Law School. Rob is currently studying for an LL.M. in Law and Employment Relations at the University of Leicester by distance learning.

Michelle Willetts: Deaf, is a qualified Commercial Property solicitor with Brabners Chaffe Street in Liverpool, having qualified with Blake Lapthorn Linnell in 2002. She studied Law at Aberystwyth and Nottingham and did the LPC at the College of Law. She is currently a College of Law mentor for students without a Training Contract, which involves giving them support and helping with applications and advice.