Conor Melvin, trainee solicitor in the Agriculture team, has joined as a general committee member, with Christopher Cole, trainee solicitor in the Commercial Property team and Calum Doherty, paralegal in the Agriculture team, taking up positions on the junior ball and charity subcommittee.
Reporting back to the national JLD, the non-profit organisation is the voice of over 1,200 junior lawyers in Bristol and the wider city region and is run by volunteer trainee solicitors, paralegals, students and recently qualified solicitors.
Among the responsibilities of committee is the planning and delivery of the division’s full agenda of activities: training seminars and workshops, charitable fundraising, sporting and social events. The biggest social event and highlight of the JLD’s calendar year is the junior ball, attracting more than 150 members of the local junior legal profession every year.
Alongside the new appointees, Thrings commercial property solicitor, Alexia Aradipiotis, has been re-elected to the position of Secretary, and Mark Holloway, costs lawyer at Paragon Costs, promoted from general committee member to vice-chair. Joining members were welcomed at the first 2018-2019 committee meeting on 11 December.
One of the first tasks of the newly-formed committee will be to choose Bristol BLS’ charity for the year. This year, £3,484 was raised for SARSAS, a specialist support service for people who have experienced sexual violence.
Conor Melvin said: “The Bristol JLD plays an important role for the junior legal profession in the city, providing relevant but also fun opportunities to share experience, develop expertise and build connections. I’m looking forward to doing my bit for this valued organisation and its members.”
Robert James, a former Bristol JLD chairman, added: “Thrings has dedicated its time and resource to supporting the Bristol JLD for many years now. Not only an important vehicle for the junior legal community’s voice at national level, it is also a great way to get to know one’s peers in the legal hub that is Bristol.”
Junior legal professionals interested in joining the Bristol JLD can do so by signing up for free here.