JLD BB&O Committee Members
Rebekah Sutcliffe
President
I am a Trainee Solicitor at Clifton Ingram LLP, currently in my first seat within the family department.
I have been part of the committee for a number of years, firstly as Marketing Secretary, then Vice President and eventually taking over as President in September 2019. I am hoping to continue with the great work that the JLD BB&O has always done in organising a diverse range of social and educational events for our members.
Emma Docking
Regional Representative
I am finishing the last leg of my Training Contract with Kidd Rapinet LLP and qualify at the beginning of July this year into Company and Commercial with Kidd Rapinet.
I am the Regional Representative liaison for Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire. I bring a lot of enthusiasm to the table and encourage individuals in our local regions to join the JLD BB&O as much as possible and bring new ideas to the table on new events, marketing, and networking.
Having spent the last two years as the Administrator of the BB&O (Inc.) Law Society (BB&O Inc. Law Society), I have extensive background in how Law Societies run and use this knowledge to assist with the growth of the JLD BB&O as much as possible. Outside of the normal working and JLD BB&O, I like to eat (a lot!), travel and try to do as many activities and sports (as my ongoing sports injuries allows) as possible.
Isabel Searle
National Representative
Following completion of my Law degree at the University of Exeter and the LPC/LLM at the University of Law, I commenced my training contract in September 2020 with Allan Janes. I joined the committee as the National Representative and my responsibilities include participating in national committee meetings and supporting and raising awareness of national JLD issues and events.
Jessica Holt
Social Secretary
Hi, I am Jess! I am a first year trainee solicitor at a dispute resolution and litigation firm in Buckinghamshire. I graduated with an LL.B from the University of Law in Leeds in 2018, and then went on to complete my LPC and Masters of Law in Professional Legal Practice in 2019 at the London Moorgate campus. Before starting my training contract in August 2020, I worked for the Serious Fraud Office in London, undertaking evidence and document review for the bribery and corruption team.
Sophie Stone
Website Secretary
I am a Regulatory Paralegal at Blake Morgan LLP and I am the Website Secretary for the BB&O JLD committee. As Website Secretary I hope to aid the JLD in providing useful and fun events that assist aspiring solicitors to enter the profession and build their professional network.
Isabel Boyce
Marketing Secretary
I am currently a Trainee Solicitor at Osborne Clarke, having previously worked as a Paralegal at Berwin Leighton Paisner and Mishcon de Reya. I joined the Committee as Marketing Secretary in October 2019 and I am involved in helping to promote the BB&O JLD and its events across various social media platforms.
Tanis Everest
Sports Secretary
I am a Trainee Solicitor at Bower Bailey Solicitors, having previous worked as a Paralegal in the Matrimonial and Family Department. I graduated from the University of Law with the GDL in August 2020 and I am currently studying towards the LPC LLM part time alongside my training contract.
I joined the Committee in November 2020 as the Sports Secretary with a view to promoting a sense of community within the legal industry in Berks, Bucks and Oxon through the power of social sports and exercise!
In my spare time I can mostly be found tearing around a netball Court at full speed.
Poppy Holmes
Education Secretary
I am a family solicitor at Penningtons Manches Cooper in Reading. I was recently on the Hertfordshire JLD committee before moving to my new role as Education Secretary for JLD BB&O committee. I am looking forward to getting involved in the committee, meeting new people and supporting a huge range of educational events.
Ellen Hitchman
General Member
I am a newly qualified Solicitor in the Dispute Resolution Department at Blaser Mills Law. As a general committee member, I am keen to get involved with the JLD Committee in as many ways as possible. I joined the committee to connect with other young professionals and to support the wider junior lawyers profession in as many ways as I can.
Louise Low
General Member
I am a trainee solicitor with Blandy & Blandy Solicitors and a General Member for JLD. I wanted to join the committee in order to both support and benefit from the community of junior lawyers. I hope to assist in continuing the support they provide.
Marketing Secretary
Marketing Secretary
I am a Solicitor specialising in private family law at Rayden Solicitors, having qualified in September 2020.
I initially joined the JLD BB&O Committee in September 2018 as a General Committee Member, and then, in September 2019, I took on the role of Diversity & Inclusion Secretary.
During my time as a Trainee Solicitor, I found the JLD BB&O events to be really insightful and a great place to meet likeminded junior legal professionals. Therefore, in my new role as Marketing Secretary, I take pleasure in helping to promote those events and I hope to encourage many junior lawyers to take advantage of the fantastic opportunities that the JLD BB&O has to offer.
Ola Szymaniec
General Secretary
Hi, my name is Ola and I recently qualified as a Solicitor in September 2021!
I completed my Law degree at the University of Bristol and then did my LPC with Masters part-time at the Reading campus. I’m now a NQ Solicitor at Clifton Ingram LLP and I’m specialising in Wills and Inheritance.
I spent the last two and a half years doing my training contract alongside my LPC and so I’ve suddenly got free time again and I thought joining the committee would be a great way to meet like-minded people!
I’m looking forward to helping out as best as I can!
Laura Christodoulou
Treasurer
My name is Laura and I qualified as a Court of Protection solicitor in September 2020. I moved to Oxford in February 2021, to work at Royds Withy King Solicitors LLP in their Compensation Protection Unit.
Before moving to Oxford, I worked for 5 and a half years Anthony Gold Solicitors LLP in Central London, 3 years as a paralegal before completing my training contract and staying on as a newly qualified solicitor. My legal journey started after I graduated from the University of Nottingham with LLB Law with European Law and completed my Legal Practice Course at the University of Law, Bloomsbury London.
I joined the BB&O JLD as Treasurer because I am new to the area and would love to build up a network of contacts and provide support and fun events for junior lawyers. Prior to joining, I used to be a committee member for the South London JLD - I really loved being a part of organising useful and fun events for my peers, and hope to continue to do so more locally!
Sarah Downes
Vice President
I am a Trainee Solicitor at Herrington Carmichael, qualifying in January 2023. I studied at the University of Exeter and subsequently studied for my LPC MSc in Reading where I grew up. I am looking forward to qualifying into Private Wealth and Inheritance, with a particular interest in complex Estate work and intestacy.
I joined JLD BB&O to broaden my network, and help to coordinate the exciting events that JLD provides for junior lawyers. I was lucky enough to benefit from a strong support network of lawyers when establishing my career and look forward to supporting others.
Lewis Harvey
Sponsorship Secretary
I am a Solicitor specialising in corporate matters at Gardner Leader in the Business Team based in the Maidenhead office. I completed my law degree at the University of Reading, followed by my LPC at the University of Law, Bloomsbury campus.
I joined the JLD Committee in order to get involved in local initiatives and connect with other young professionals in the Bucks, Berks and Oxon area.
Ellis Wharton
Marketing Secretary
I am currently a Paralegal at Gardner Leader in the Real Estate team based in the Maidenhead office. I previously studied the LPC at the University of Law in Reading part-time.
I had a desire to join the JLD as I believe it is an excellent opportunity to expand my connections in the area. The JLD is the perfect environment to enable likeminded young legal professionals to forge relationships with their peers.
Having attended a JLD networking event, I found it was a great experience to meet people from other firms, and even get to know my own colleagues better!
In my role as Marketing Secretary, I am looking at furthering the promotion of the JLD BB&O and I am looking forward to seeing what this role shall bring!