Law and Liberation: Perspectives of young Black Social Justice Lawyers

By Abigail Wonga.

Reading time: five minutes

This year, I wrote a few articles regarding Black History Month in 2024. In February of 2024, which Black History Month is celebrated in the United States. The messages uploaded throughout the content, still impact the current shape and space of Black British History. Black British History is to recognise, tell, celebrate and commemorate the work our forefathers have put in and to be our ancestors’ wildest dreams. 

Please refer to the following post I made this year during Black History Month: https://thestudentlawyer.com/2024/03/06/celebrating-black-history-month-2024/

What is Black History Month?

Black History Month in the United Kingdom is celebrated and observed annually in October, commemorating, recognising and acknowledging Black British history. This year’s theme of Black History Month is ‘Reclaiming Narratives.’ To me, ‘Reclaiming Narratives’ as a young black woman of African descent is all about retelling the very history of black history. Oftentimes, our stories are racialised, stereotyped and our pain is trivialised. It is imperative to tell my story and not have that right taken from anyone. According to blackhistorymonth.org.uk, the significance of this theme is to ‘’take control of our stories, celebrate our heritage and ensure our voices are heard.’’ By doing so, we can, ‘’discover how we can get involved and make a lasting impact on how Black history is told and taught.’’

Please refer to the further posts regarding diversity in law and stories from black legal professionals: https://thestudentlawyer.com/2024/09/30/why-diversity-in-law-matters-more-than-ever/ and

https://thestudentlawyer.com/2024/07/26/were-fighting-to-exist-angela-francis/

Law and liberation: perspectives of young Black social justice lawyers 

On Friday 4th of October 2024, I had the opportunity to attend a panel event organised by One Pump Court Chambers at Hogan Lovells’ London office. One Pump Court Chambers covers areas of law such as Civil Actions Against Public Authorities, Court of Protection (CoP), Crime, Prison and Family Law, etc. Chaired by One Pump Court Chambers’ Andrea Awoniyi (whom I had the pleasure of meeting in person after seeking her advice on numerous occasions), this panel event was to highlight the work of young Black lawyers working in social justice. The panellists included barristers, paralegals, legal representatives and trainee solicitors from firms such as Leigh Day, Bolt Burdon Kemp, and Wilson Solicitors LLP. The underrepresentation of Black lawyers in the legal world has often been discussed. Therefore, on this year’s theme of ‘reclaiming narratives’, it is imperative that the perspectives of black lawyers are heard.

As a member of the audience and hearing the panellists detail their journeys into law, I felt at home. Growing up black, I never felt alone whenever I had my brothers and sisters by my side. I was very touched by hearing the esteemed professionals’ answers on why social justice, law, and who their social justice heroes are. Social justice is recognising that society is unequal and we are fighting to eliminate it. According to some members of the panel, the law is not as neutral as we assume it is and it is a very two-tiered system. From the stories of Stephen Lawrence, Mark Duggan, Chris Kaba and many more, the law does not appear to at times, protect those who are seeking protection from matters.

Read this article to find out about firms setting the standard for inclusion in the workplace: https://thestudentlawyer.com/2024/05/28/embracing-diversity-setting-the-standard-for-inclusion-in-the-workplace/

For the panellists, the best part of working in social justice law is being an advocate for people. The legal professionals deal with clients from different walks of life on a day-to-day basis. Hearing from an immigration trainee solicitor that they have to read more than 100 pages of judgments of clients coming from a war-stricken country, diagnosed with a mental health problem and unable to defend their rights by themselves due to their limited knowledge of English, it is crucial to be at the centre of decisions being made and increasing proactivity.

We must also acknowledge the challenges of working in social justice law, whilst being black. The legal industry for so long has been overshadowed by elitism, class division and accent discrimination. The uncomfortable conversations will allow the legal industry and aspiring legal professionals like myself, to desire to dream and achieve big things.