Race & Ethnicity (BAME) Network: "Black History month: The next generation of leaders"

Please join the InterLaw Diversity Forum Race & Ethnicity (BAME) Network for a Black History Month event celebrating the next generation of black leaders in the legal sector.

We have put together a very special panel of future leaders from the legal sector to discuss the current challenges for black lawyers, the outlook for the future, and their role in changing the landscape of the profession for black and BAME lawyers. 

Joining us are:

Daniel Burnand, Associate, BCLP

Daniel Burnand is an associate at BCLP, specialising in commercial real estate and development. He developed a passion for issues relating to inclusivity and diversity following his undergraduate degree in history, which focussed on the impact of colonialism, and his masters in Race and Resistance. Prior to joining BCLP, he worked overseas for four years, predominantly based in Vietnam. He now regularly volunteers at a free legal advice centre, is actively involved in a range of inclusivity and diversity initiatives and acts as a mentor both within the firm and through networks outside of work.

Isaac Eloi, Trainee Solicitor, Freeths; Co-founder, Black Men in Law Network

Isaac Eloi is a Trainee Solicitor at Freeths LLP and is the Co-Founder of the Black Men In Law Network. The 210 student & professional members-strong Network launched in March 2018 to increase the numbers of trained and retained Black men within the legal profession. Alongside mentoring aspiring lawyers, Isaac’s interests lie in the intersections of his Blackness, Caribbean heritage, gender and queer identity and has written in publications such as AZ Magazine which promotes the work of LGBT people of colour. He also is the 2018 UK Diversity Legal Awards recipient of the BSN Network’s Rising Star in Entrepreneurship Award.

Nicolle Odutoye, Associate (Banking & Finance), Reed Smith; Co-Chair, Reed Smith Multicultural Network

Nicolle is a newly qualified associate in the Banking & Finance team at Reed Smith LLP. She is also co-chair of the firm’s Multicultural Network (MCN) which exists to give employees and clients of the firm opportunities to celebrate their differences and to raise awareness of and discuss the issues that are pertinent to black, Asian and ethnic minority (BAME) legal professionals. The MCN also works closely with graduate recruitment and HR to have a tangible impact on the recruitment and retention of BAME employees. Nicolle also acts as secretary for the steering committee of NOTICED, an inter-firm diversity network. 

Lauren Pinnock-Monteith, Legal Counsel (EMEA), Expedia Group

Lauren has recently joined the Expedia Group Legal Department working as their lodging lawyer solely responsible for the EMEA super region. Lauren also supports the Health & Safety team around the world. Lauren started her journey at IKEA UK & Ireland in 2012. She rose through the ranks from being a cashier at IKEA stores right through to training and qualifying as a solicitor at the company in 2017. Lauren was IKEA's first "home grown" lawyer and has set a great precedent for future IKEA lawyers. Alongside her legal career, she is an avid motorcyclist and runs a female motorcycling influencer page with over 270,000 followers.

Daniel Winterfeldt, Chair, InterLaw Diversity Forum (Moderator)

Date:  Wednesday, 2 October 2019

Location: BCLP, Adelaide House, London Bridge, London EC4R 9HA

18:00 Arrival and Registration  
18:30 Meeting Starts
20:00 - 21:00 Networking Drinks

Thanks to BCLP for generously hosting this event!