Sussex Law School’s Employer Advisory Board

Sussex Law School has established an Employer Advisory Board, through which employers and other industry experts can contribute to the curriculum of our Law courses and help train the next generation of law practitioners.

Shaping our curriculum to develop future law professionals

The Employer Advisory Board was created by the Sussex Law School to strengthen our links with employers in the legal industry and related professions. Not many UK universities offer a platform like this, setting the Sussex Law School apart as a forward-thinking, ambitious place to learn.

We work with employers who contribute their advice and external perspectives on our curriculum and employability strategies, so our graduates can be prepared for their future in law.

I appreciated the chance to share a student perspective and left feeling inspired by how committed everyone was to supporting the next generation of legal professionals.” ana isip
Year Two student and attendee of the first Employer Advisory Board meeting

 

Our key objectives are to:

• identify key graduate skills – offering a formal channel for employers to define the practical skills and professional attributes they seek in law graduates
• provide strategic advice for our curriculum development – ensuring our degree programmes are up-to-date and aligned with the current demands of the legal industry
• address recruitment challenges – allowing members to share first-hand insights into the common shortcomings they see in graduate recruitment
• demonstrate commitment to career preparation – adapting our curriculum to better prepare our graduates for the evolving demands of the legal sector
• strengthen industry links – formalising our relationship with a diverse range of legal employers to create strategic and sustainable partnerships that foster collaboration.

The Board meets once per academic year, where we bring together a diverse range of expertise to discuss important themes and topics.

To start collaborating with Sussex Law School’s Employability Team, contact careersjob@sussex.ac.uk.

A fantastic opportunity for honest and open discussion about how we can work together to equip graduates with the skills they need to succeed.” iko onuh-goddard
Employability Advisory Board member and Adult Social Care & Education Solicitor (Brighton & Hove City Council)

 

• See the current Employer Advisory Board members
  • Amanda Clarke (family law barrister, Westgate Chambers/Bar course lecturer, City)
  • Simon Sinnatt (barrister, 1 Crown Office Row)
  • James Cox (in-house Senior Counsel, The AA)
  • Kris Venkatasami (CPS, Chief Crown Prosector for South-East)
  • Iko Onuh-Goddard (Adult Social Care & Education Solicitor, Brighton & Hove City Council)
  • Bethane Harland (solicitor, Social and Education Services, Brighton and Hove City Council legal team)
  • Sarah Birkbeck (IP and IT Dispute Resolution Partner and Mentor for early career lawyers, Irwin Mitchell LLP, Top 100 regional)
  • Uzair Patel (associate solicitor, Pinsent Masons LLP, top-tier international commercial firm)
  • Jo Ault (International Graduate Recruitment and Development Advisor, Pinsent Masons LLP, top-tier international commercial firm)

  Our members include Sussex Law School alumni:

  • Marcus Hayes (solicitor, Mason Hayes, boutique Commercial Law)
  • Michael Herford (criminal defence solicitor, Legal Lifelines and legal consultant)
  • Ruby Axelson (Head of Gender and Child Justice Division, Global Rights Compliance NGO)
  • Mo Abbas (founder of Trademark Brothers, supporting new businesses with trademark and IP protection)
  • Fleur Laffont (Head of Graduate Recruitment, FDM group)
  • Caroline Wright (HR manager, DMH Stallard LLP, Top 100 regional)

  The Board also includes student representatives and Sussex staff members with key responsibilities in education and employability.

See our full terms of reference [PDF, 108KB].