Chambers ENGAGE 2022: European D&I, Pro Bono and Sustainability Summit
About this event
Our inaugural D&I, pro bono and sustainability full-day summit, originally scheduled to take place in March 2020, has now been confirmed. Join expert speakers from across the UK and Europe, providing market-leading expertise from the perspective of solicitors, barristers, in-house counsel and NGOs.
Aims to:
- Create a safe, dynamic and cutting-edge environment for inclusion, pro bono and sustainability best practice
- Encourage global conversations between firms, chambers, in-house legal teams and NGOs
- Provide insights from expert speakers on key progress and future developments
Why attend?Â
- Hear from inspirational speakers from White & Case LLP, IBA, , Serle Court, Human Rights Watch and more
- During the Summit you will learn about D&I and pro bono best practice
- Network and connect with lawyers from across the profession
Event Details:
8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Luke Vincett, D&I Manager, Chambers and Partners
Luke is one of the two Diversity and Inclusion Managers at Chambers and Partners. He has seven years' experience in the D&I sector and previously worked for a social mobility NGO. His remit includes setting and progressing the departmental strategy, focusing both internally at Chambers and working externally with the market to advance ED&I. Luke works closely with market leading firms and other external collaborators to promote best practice, share success stories and strategies, and produce thought leadership content. Internally at Chambers, Luke launched and manages INSPIRE, our internal D&I and Responsible Business Committee, raising awareness of key issues and promoting an inclusive culture. He also works alongside the Executive Leadership Team to advance D&I.
Ellie Gerstz, D&I Manager, Chambers and Partners
Ellie is one of the two Diversity & Inclusion department leads at Chambers, having joined in early 2021. A passionate believer in the importance of inclusivity within the law, she utilises her background in workplace wellbeing, legal marketing and diversity advocacy to advance Chambers’ internal and external D&I programmes. Her remit includes setting and progressing the departmental strategy, which focusses on diversity both within the Chambers business and advocating for progress within the global legal industry. Ellie works with market leading law firms to promote best practice and innovative solutions within the ED&I space, advises on strategies to improve the inclusivity of Chambers’ products and services and continues to develop an internal culture of inclusion, welcoming and belonging for all Chambers employees. Ellie also works with the Chambers Executive Leadership Team to advance internal diversity and manages the Chambers internal D&I and Responsible Business committee. Prior to working at Chambers, Ellie worked as a relationship & community manager at a small industry charity and in the marketing team of numerous well known law firms. Ellie graduated from the University of Nottingham with a B.A. in Politics. A native Londoner, outside of work she volunteers with her local food bank and enjoys exploring the ever changing landscape of her home city.
Dr. Ademola Bamgbose, International Arbitration Lawyer, Hogan Lovells
Dr. Bamgbose is an international arbitration lawyer in the London office of Hogan Lovells. He is also a key member of the firm’s global Africa practice, and is admitted to practice in Nigeria, England and Wales. He represents clients in high-value international disputes and advises clients on issues spanning multiple sectors and jurisdictions, especially in Africa. He has previously undertaken a commercial litigation secondment at a FTSE 100 company in London. Prior to joining Hogan Lovells, he spent some time at the ICC in Paris and also worked at a leading commercial law firm in Nigeria. Ademola has a keen interest in Africa and regularly speaks at conferences both within and outside the continent. He is widely published, with some of his contributions featuring in widely-read platforms across the globe. His PhD thesis (completed with distinction) at the University of Warwick examined the arbitration frameworks in 19 African countries. Dr Bamgbose is chair of the Advisory Board of the Lagos Court of Arbitration – Young Arbitrators Network. He is also an honorary lecturer at University of Ibadan, Nigeria and regularly serves as guest lecturer at the University of Reading, UK. He is co-founder of Africa Arbitration; and founding director of the Africa Arbitration Academy and Africa Construction Law respectively. He is also a regional representative (Africa) of the London Court of International Arbitration - Young International Arbitration Group. He is recognised by Legal 500 (2022) as a rising star in international arbitration and a key member of the international arbitration team at Hogan Lovells. In 2019, he was also recognised and shortlisted by Chambers & Partner for the Future Leader – Minority Lawyers Award in Europe.
Professor Dr. Funke Abimbola MBE, CEO, The Austen Bronte Consultancy
Professor Dr. Funke Abimbola is a Corporate Lawyer, global Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Leader, C-suite and healthcare executive, BBC commentator, Non-Executive Director, Public Speaker, and podcast host. After a stellar 20-year corporate law career culminating in serving as General Counsel and Head of Financial Compliance at Roche (the world’s largest biotech company), Funke founded The Austen Bronte Consultancy in September 2020. The consultancy’s main goal is to empower corporates and firms to improve leadership by leveraging the impact of diversity, inclusion, belonging and equity. Clients include Levi Strauss & Co, Sky, Macquarie Group, Hiscox, Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, and Covington & Burling amongst others. Funke is a notable alumna of her alma mater, Newcastle University and her leadership and influence have been recognised by the Financial Times and the UK’s Prime Minister. She was awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in the Queen’s 2017 birthday honours list for services to diversity and young people, recognising her contributions in leading on the diversity and inclusion for over a decade. She was subsequently awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws by the University of Hertfordshire in 2019 for significant contributions to social and corporate diversity. In February 2022, Newcastle University appointed her as Professor of Practice within the Law School, recognising her contributions to her alma mater over a 30-year period. Funke is the proud mother of a 19-year-old son who is a future software engineer studying Computer Science at Newcastle University. Together, they co-host a podcast series called The Power of Privilege and Allyship podcast, showcasing exceptional role models who have used their privilege to maximise the impact of their allyship to transform lives. Now in its fourth season, the podcast has amassed a global following across almost 1,000 cities, all 7 continents, almost 70 countries and features over 90 inspiring leaders as guests across over 80 episodes. Ranked and listed on all major podcast platforms including Apple, Spotify and Google, the podcast now also has over 6,200 downloads and more than an estimated 30,000 listens.
Estelle Dehon QC, Public Law Barrister, Cornerstone Barristers
Estelle Dehon QC is a public law barrister at Cornerstone Barristers, ranked in three areas in Chambers and Partners: “an excellent advocate”, “terrific in her drafting and a real pleasure to work with". Estelle has particular expertise in climate change matters and is involved in the leading environmental cases, including the inquiry opposing a new coal mine in Cumbria and the Supreme Court challenge to new oil development in Surrey. Later this year she will represent two individuals challenging the Net Zero Strategy, partly on human rights grounds. Estelle also has a leading data protection and access to information practice and is a member of the European Commission’s Multistakeholder Expert Group on the GDPR. She is a trustee of the UK Environmental Law Association, sitting on their Diversity and Inclusion Committee; a trustee of the Women’s Environmental Network and co-Chair of the Bar Council’s Climate Crisis Working Group.
Darrell Coker, Co-Founder, Flair
Darrell is co-founder of Flair, which helps leading organisations (inc. Hogan Lovells and EY) to break down the barriers to racial equity. Flair presents employees with a safe platform to share their lived experiences, while their data analytics engine uncovers bias blind spots, benchmarks racial equity performance, and generates roadmaps to meaningful action on DE&I. Darrell is a regular speaker on topics relating to DE&I and racial equity, and was recently selected for the Forbes 30 Under 30 list. He is a firm believer that building a racially equitable culture starts with having the right data – to guide interventions and measure progress.
Jacquelyn MacLennan, Partner, White & Case
Jacquelyn MacLennan offers more than 25 years of experience for clients worldwide, representing leading multinational corporations, governments and trade associations. She practices EU law with a focus on litigation and concentrates on competition law, trade and customs law, EU internal market free movement/regulatory/discrimination issues, in addition to European human rights law. Jacquelyn has substantial litigation experience presenting arguments before the EU courts and European Court of Human Rights, as well as amicus briefs before the US Supreme Court. Before working for White & Case, Jacquelyn was part of the External Trade team of the European Commission's Legal Service. Jacquelyn set up the firm's Business & Human Rights Interest Group, advising on issues related to corporate supply chain compliance (including the use of slave, human trafficked and child labour), disclosure requirements, litigation and Business & Human Rights issues generally. She has led trainings for clients, and the firm’s global trainings on the fundamentals of business and human rights for lawyers, focusing on the scope and application of human rights laws, regulations, and disclosure requirements. Jacquelyn leads White & Case’s Global Pro Bono Practice, and is actively involved in the African Centre on Law & Ethics Programme, where she teaches legal ethics and business and human rights to young lawyers and law students.
Professor Suzanne Rab, Barrister, Serle Court
Suzanne has wide experience of EU law, regulatory, competition and trade law matters combining cartel regulation, commercial practices, data protection, IP exploitation, merger control, public procurement, State aid and human rights. She advises governments, regulators and businesses across the regulated sectors including in the communications, energy, financial services, healthcare/ pharmaceuticals, TMT and water sectors. Suzanne has advised the UK government and regulatory authorities on a range of issues relating to the impact of Brexit and has drafted legislation and guidance under the EU Withdrawal Act. Suzanne has significant experience of advising on the development, implementation and application of new regulatory regimes in line with international best practices, including in emerging markets. In private practice as a solicitor for 15 years prior to joining the bar, she has held positions at magic circle and leading international antitrust practices. Most recently she was an antitrust partner with a leading US practice. She has also held the role of director at PricewaterhouseCoopers working within its strategy, economics and forensics teams. Suzanne is also Professor of Commercial Law and Practice Chair at Brunel University London, a Visiting Professor at Imperial College London and an associate lecturer at the Open University. She is also a non-executive director of the Legal Aid Agency. In 2019 Suzanne was nominated at the Inspirational Women in Law Awards, in the Barrister of the Year category.
Aruna Kashyap, Associate Director, Business and Human Rights Division
Aruna Kashyap is the associate director in the Business and Human Rights division. Her work focuses on corporate accountability and human rights in the global supply chains. She has conducted research in numerous countries including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Nepal, and spearheaded international and regional advocacy for new regulatory standards governing corporations at the EU, OECD, and ILO. Her research has spanned different areas including labor rights, social protection, violence against women, and access to health care. As a lawyer, she has a background in strategic litigation on economic, social, and cultural rights, commercial contracting, and experience with criminal, contractual and tort law frameworks. She sits on the board of Transparentem. Previously, she litigated in India and got her law degree at the National Law School of India University in Bangalore.
Sarah Oliver Scemla, Bank of America, Moderator
Sarah Oliver Scemla is a Director and Assistant General Counsel at Bank of America. She has primary responsibility for supporting the Bank’s Global Sustainable Finance Group in EMEA and advises all business lines on legal issues in relation to environmental, social and governance legislation. In addition, Sarah chairs BofA’s EMEA Pro Bono Committee and is on the Steering Committee of the In-House Pro Bono Group.
Sonali Naik QC, Senior Public Law and Immigration Practitioner, Garden Court Chambers (Chair)
Sonali Naik QC is a senior public law and immigration practitioner with over 28 years’ experience who specialises in public law cases and in all aspects of immigration, asylum and nationality law. Sonali is ranked for immigration in Chambers UK 2022 and has a significant Higher Courts practice. She conducts almost exclusively leading work at all levels: the Court of Appeal, the Administrative Court and in the Upper Tribunal in statutory appeals and judicial reviews. She has very substantial immigration and asylum experience in her High Court and appellate court practice, acting in various country guidance asylum cases, such as AS(Afghanistan) in the Court of Appeal. Sonali has an extensive judicial review practice in the areas of Article 8 ECHR certification, nationality, challenges to Home Office policy, trafficking and unlawful detention. Sonali was Chair of Liberty from 2018 to 2021, is a trustee of Freedom From Torture and the Immigrant’s Aid Trust (charitable arm of the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants), a member of the JUSTICE Council and is appointed to the JUSTICE Working Group on Reform of Immigration and Asylum system. She won Lawyer of the Year at the Diversity Legal Awards 2018. She won Highly Commended for Outstanding Contribution to Diversity & Inclusion at the Chambers Bar Awards 2019.
George Artley, BIC Project Lawyer, International Bar Association
As an undergraduate, George studied modern history at the University of Oxford, before training as a commercial lawyer at Macfarlanes LLP in the City of London. He then returned to Oxford for graduate study, where he undertook a DPhil. on the political origins of the rule of law and judicial independence in England. In 2019, he joined the International Bar Association in the newly created position of Bar Issues Commission Project Lawyer. Part of this role includes assisting the BIC in co-ordinating and implementing projects that support member bar associations and law societies, including capacity assistance for developing bars. In addition, he works on a wide range of projects on subjects affecting the future of the profession, including the mental wellbeing of lawyers, education on the rule of law, and defending the core values of the profession - such as the principle of lawyer-client confidentiality - from attack.
Jonathan Andrews, Associate, Reed Smith
Jonathan is an associate at Reed Smith’s Entertainment and Media team, specialising in litigation matters and with experience of data protection law and commercial contracts. Jonathan has served as a trustee of various charities, including Ambitious about Autism, Stonewall and the Miranda Brawn Diversity Leadership Foundation, as well as having served in an NED/advisory capacity with the Westminster Autism Commission, various government departments, and the mental health charity Mind. He also served as the inaugural chair of the Commonwealth’s first-ever youth disability network from 2019-2021 and is a member of the International Trademarks Association’s Presidential Task Force on Diversity & Inclusion. Jonathan is a passionate advocate of D&I, having personal experience of being bi, on the autistic spectrum, and coming from a state comprehensive school to become a city lawyer. He has been recognised nationally and internationally for his achievements in this area, including as the fourth most influential disabled person in the UK by the Shaw Trust Power List (now sitting as the youngest ever judge of this list), a Queen’s Young Leader, and is the youngest ever person to receive an Honorary Degree from the Open University.
Mass Ndow-Njie, Barrister, 7BR
Mass joined 7BR in September 2021 after spending his first two years of practice at the Government Legal Department. Mass is developing a multi-disciplinary practice and welcomes instructions in civil, commercial and public law cases. He is a member of the Attorney General’s Junior Junior Scheme and receives instructions from clients across Government. In July 2020, Mass became the first ever Pupil Barrister to be awarded ‘Barrister of the Week’ by The Lawyer Publication. In January 2021, he was recognised as Advocate’s ‘Pro-bono Hero of the Month’ for his dedication to a pro-bono case and the result obtained on behalf of his client. In November 2021, Mass was presented with two awards in quick succession after he was declared as the winner of the Middle Temple Young Barristers Association (MTYBA) Rule of Law Essay Competition and commended as a Future Leader at the 2021 Chambers and Partners Awards. In January 2022, Mass was listed amongst the ‘Hot 100’ Lawyers across the UK. Mass has delivered keynote speeches within various academic and legal spaces. He has spoken to audiences in the UK Supreme Court, the Inns of Court and various universities. Mass is committed to enhancing the equality of access into the legal profession. Most notably, he is the founder and chairperson of Bridging the Bar, a charity which aims to support aspiring barristers from statistically underrepresented groups. This experience underscores Mass’ strong ability to relate to clients coming from all walks of life.
Ingrid Gubbay, European head of Human rights and environmental law, Hausfeld Global
Currently the European head of Human rights and environmental law based at the London office of the Law firm Hausfeld Global. She has been a litigator for 24 years and practicing at Hausfeld for the past twelve years. Ingrid undertakes a mix of international and domestic human rights and climate related cases, and high-level policy and advocacy work in these areas. She has won awards for her ground- breaking test cases both in Australia where she formerly practiced, and in the UK, and has been a law lecturer at both the Universities of Essex and of New South Wales. Most recently, The Financial Times awarded her team the 2021 winners of the ‘Most innovative law firm for sustainability and ESG’ for their work on climate justice, and profiled her as one of 5 ‘trailblazers’ for initiating the first climate case to the UN Human Rights Committee under the Convention on the Rights of the Child on behalf of 16 youth Petitioners against 5 respondent States. She is a visiting research fellow at BIICL as part of the climate and environment team, and she Chairs the Board of Legal Action Worldwide (‘LAW’) which brings actions on behalf of survivors in conflict zones. She is the legal trustee of the environmental social enterprise ‘Sea Rangers’, which is based in the Netherlands and now the UK. They build specially designed sailing vessels and professionally train and empower unemployed youth to work with Nations to protect their marine environments.
Yasmine Ahmed, Director, Human Rights Watch
Prior to joining Human Rights Watch, Yasmine was Executive Director of the multi award winning human rights organization, Rights and Security International. She held this position for 7 years during which time she built a dynamic organization with unparalleled expertise in national security and human rights, a global reach and sustained impact. During her tenure the organization successfully litigated and advocated on issues ranging from arms sales to Saudi Arabia, investigations into crimes committed by Government forces in Afghanistan and the unlawful detention of ISIL associated women and children in NE Syria. Under her leadership, the organization expanded in size and geographical scope and came to be respected as a leader in the fields counter terrorism, human rights and international peace and security.
Saeeda Rousselet-Yasmin, Regulatory Lawyer, NatWest Group
Saeeda Rousselet-Yasmin is a regulatory lawyer working within an in-house Legal function of a large banking institution. Her practice primarily focuses on credit regulation encompassing consumer, commercial, private and corporate customer segments, but she is currently spending time working with the NatWest Group’s Executive Committee in a Corporate Governance role supporting the area of Risk. Saeeda is equally passionate about furthering the diversity and the social inclusion agenda, with particular focus on social mobility.
Registration / Breakfast
Chambers’ Inclusion and pro bono insights
- Luke Vincett, D&I Manager, Chambers & Partners
- Ellie Gerszt, D&I Manager, Chambers & Partners
Keynote speaker
• Professor Dr. Funke Abimbola MBE, CEO, The Austen Bronte Consultancy
Pro bono in a post crisis world: creating and maintaining European human rights and pro bono partnerships in the age of Brexit and Covid 19
- Deborah Smith, Goldman Sachs
- Jacquelyn MacLennan, White & Case
- Professor Suzanne Rab, Serle Court
- Yasmine Ahmed, Human Rights Watch
- Moderator: Ellie Gerszt, Chambers & Partners
Networking / Break
How the G affects the E and S: the impact of governance on environmental and social responsibility
- Aruna Kashyap, Human Rights Watch
- Sarah Oliver Scemla, Bank of America
- Sonali Naik QC, Garden Court Chambers
- Moderator: Al Marsh, Chambers & Partners
Networking / Lunch
The legal mind: a deep dive into mental wellbeing
- George Artley, IBA
Introduced by Marlene Hermann, EMEA Research Director, Chambers & Partners
Building a culture where all ethnicities thrive
• Darrell Coker, Co-Founder, Flair Impact
N/A
The Future of D&I
- Jonathan Andrews, Reed Smith
- Mass Ndow-Njie, 7 Bedford Row
- Saeeda Rousselet-Yasmin, Natwest
- Ademola Bamgbose, Hogan Lovells
- Moderator: Luke Vincett, Chambers & Partners
Call to action: How the legal profession can work together on climate change
- Ingrid Gubbay, Hausfeld
- Estelle Dehon QC, Public Law Barrister, Cornerstone Barristers
Closing remarks with practical tips
- Luke Vincett, Chambers & Partners
- Ellie Gerszt, Chambers & Partners
Networking Drinks
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