4 minute read
International Committee
International Committee Update
The International Committee had a busy time as we hosted lawyers from across Europe during June. We were delighted by the response from members wanting to meet them, both at the lunch in Middle Temple and for the evening dinner. Particular thanks to Eleni Nicolaou from Greenwoods for hosting at her firm Greenwoods. You can read more about the event in the article by Alex Kowalska and Sara Chandler.
Thanks to Marta Sánchez Merino, our international legal evenings have continued, and Marta outlines the most recent, where there was a discussion on the challenges of studying the SQE as a foreign lawyer whilst in full-time work.
There are changes to the committee as we say goodbye to Jessica Bennett who has helped organise our magazine contributions. Good luck with all your future plans Jessica. Below we introduce new member Lizzette and returning member Olivia.
New Faces at the Committee
Olivia Longrigg
We welcome back Olivia Longrigg, a longstanding member of the International Committee, from maternity leave. Olivia is a specialist family law practitioner at Forsters LLP. She says that her time away offered a valuable opportunity to reflect on the importance and practicalities of family life and relationships –both personally and professionally – and how best to support clients with sensitivity and care. It also marked the beginning of a new chapter, bringing a renewed sense of purpose and a fresh perspective to her work in family law.
Olivia will continue to support our international outreach as a German speaker. Having lived and worked in Germany during her year abroad at University, she values the opportunity to build connections across borders and promote collaboration between legal professions in different jurisdictions. This work also complements her practice, where she enjoys advising German-speaking clients navigating family law issues in England and Wales.
Olivia is excited about the opportunities that lie ahead, both in her family law practice and through her involvement with the Society. Her return marks not simply a continuation of her career, but a chance to refocus on what matters to her the most: guiding clients with empathy and clarity through the challenges and complexities of relationship and family breakdown. ■
Lizzette Robleto de Howarth
We are also very pleased to have a new member joining the committee, Lizzette Robleto de Howarth, a Senior Lecturer at The University of Law. She is a Birkbeck PhD candidate and her thesis entitled “A Clash Among Unequals” focuses on the tensions between international law, international economic law, and foreign policy in the power dynamics at global level.
She is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and the Chartered Management Institute, a Senior Member of the Inter-American Bar Association, and a Member of the Honourable Society of Inner Temple. In 2022. She was awarded the 2022 Rule of Law Award for her contribution to advancing the rule of law. In 2023, she was shortlisted for the Justitia Award for her work on gender equality in the legal profession.
Lizzette’s stellar career includes working as Chief Programmes Officer at Advocates for International Development (A4ID) and as International Programmes Manager at the Law Society of England and Wales. She has over 24 years of combined experience in international development, the legal sector, and academia, working on areas such as capacity building, policy, research, advocacy, and fundraising at global level. She has also published several articles and reports on topics such as gender equality, human rights, governance, and environment. She says “I am passionate about promoting the rule of law, social justice, diversity, and inclusion in the legal profession and beyond.” ■
Congratulations
We are delighted that committee member Dr Eunice Shang-Simpson has been inaugurated as the President of the Kent Law Society.
Sara Chandler was awarded a lifetime achievement award by Modern Law Awards
For future events, please keep an eye on LinkedIn and /or the website where the international committee posts upcoming events. ■
