We are proud that Khaula Bhutta, our recent Law graduate, addressed the US Congress on the peace dividend created by 25 years of peace in Northern Ireland. Khaula, a budding women entrepreneur, participated in an in-conversation segment with US Presidential Envoy, Congressman Joe Kennedy III. She spoke about her business ‘Inclusive Law’, an online platform aiming to connect vulnerable individuals from marginalised communities with legal professionals.
Congressman Kennedy noted, “Queen's University is a preeminent institution with its history, present and future critical to Northern Ireland’s success because it's an extraordinary organisation that is educating the next generation of leaders, not just in Northern Ireland but around the world. The discovery that is taking place there and the innovation that is taking place there is going to drive discovery, help create cures and solve problems.”
The event was attended by representatives from the US Government and industry. We congratulate Khaula for taking up the opportunity to talk at the US Congress; she is a tremendous ambassador for our School.
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After a competitive application process, five of our students were selected to attend the annual Lincoln’s Inn University Information Afternoon and Dinner, held on 13th March.
At this event, students heard from Barristers on a range of subjects from Training and Career Opportunities to Life at the Bar.
These valuable sessions were followed by a drinks’ reception, before Dinner in the prestigious Great Hall.
Our congratulations go to Aobh Hollywood, Eden Wilson, Ellie Massey, Tanweer Ahmad and Zana Kennedy for applying for this opportunity and for acting as such great ambassadors for the School of Law!
Lady Rita Rae's passion for law started at an early age, with her grandfather - a man she saw as her hero growing up - having served as a lawyer in his native Italy.
"He was a lawyer in Italy pre the Second World War who stood up against fascism to the extent that he wouldn't join the Fascist Party. He was a man [to whom] honesty and integrity were paramount."
After qualifying as a lawyer in 1974, her first foray into legal work would bring with it a series of challenges. Being a young woman meant she would have to work hard to get court work in what was still a male-dominated profession. One of the senior partners in the law firm she worked in claimed that “a woman is emotionally unsuitable for court-work”, with another solicitor claiming that he wouldn't instruct Lady Rita in anything other than a rape case.
"Frankly, you just got on with it. It gave me an even greater drive to succeed - the drive to undertake court-work."
To hear Lady’s Rae’s reflections about her upbringing and what she has learned during her fascinating life in legal circles, listen to the below Desert Island Discs podcast:
Desert Island Discs - Rita Rae, Lady Rae, lawyer and judge - BBC Sounds