Hodge Jones & Allen run a number of events throughout the year, including networking and fundraising events. We regularly engage with local communities and offer support when needed.
Events at HJA
Past Events 2023
Afternoon Tea For Amputees In Aid of Limbless Association
12/07/2023
Hodge Jones & Allen were pleased to support the Limbless Association Afternoon Tea For Amputees at our London office. The Personal Injury team, have organised this event which involved lots of amazing cakes, scones and biscuits whilst drinking plenty of teas or coffees in return for a donation!
Action Mesothelioma Day
07/07/2023
We are pleased to have had the opportunity to extend our support to Action Mesothelioma Day at the Merseyside Charity, a meaningful event aimed at honouring the memory of individuals who lost their lives as a result of asbestos exposure. Our Partner, Joanne Candlish, along with Paralegal Trish Monks from our Asbestos and Mesothelioma team, joined local Asbestos campaigners. Together, they participated in a ceremony held in Liverpool, where doves were released as a symbolic gesture of remembrance.
The London Performing Academy of Music
21/06/2023
We were pleased to have hosted a concert to support the London Performing Academy of Music (LPMAM), where the talented Ukrainian musicians played beautiful songs throughout the event. It was a splendid night with good music and great atmosphere!
Overall, Hodge Jones and Allen raised £665 towards the LPMAM Ukrainian Student Funds.
Brake: After The Crash
20/06/2023
Brake ‘After The Crash’ conference, was hugely insightful and highly informative sessions from hearing the panel discussions of their amazing speakers. A special thanks from the Personal Injury team Partners Leticia Williams, Ken Brough and Associate Sarah Townsend who were pleased to be at this event.
London Legal Walk
13/06/2023
Our HJA walkers had an amazing time at this year’s London Legal Walk, the biggest fundraising event in aid of free legal advice, raising vital funds to ensure that legal help reaches our community’s most vulnerable people. Thank you to everyone who sponsored our walkers!
All in all we have raised £800.38
Headway Suffolk Conference
17/05/2023
Our Partners, Leticia Williams and Riffat Yaqub from our Personal Injury team attended this year’s Headway Suffolk Conference, supporting people with brain injuries, strokes and neurological conditions during Action for Brain Injury Week.
LCNUK Conference
11/05/2023
The LCNUK was a wonderful conference to support and celebrate International Nurses Day 2023 with our Partners, Isobel Lovett, Joanne Candlish and Solicitor Katherine Currie, from our Asbestos team who were very excited to be at this event.
Hestia
11/05/2023
Our Housing team Paralegal Oliver Edwards and Solicitor Aneela Samrai, were delighted to host this training session event to support the Hestia Charity. We also want to thank all our attendees and the Helen Bamber Foundation for coming along.
Personal Injury Annual Quiz
20/04/2023
We were delighted to host our annual charity quiz night in the Draught Orders bar and raise a total £4120, in aid of Brake Charity and the Child Brain Injury Trust!
Thank you to our sponsors: Kain Knight, Farrar’s Building, Temple Garden Chambers, Evolution Costs, 42 Bedford Row Chambers, 12 King’s Bench Walk, Deka Chambers and Markel Direct for their kind donations.
Criminal Records Quiz
23/02/2023
We enjoyed hosting our annual Criminal Records quiz in the Draught Orders bar and welcomed guests from Doughty Street Chambers, Garden Court Chambers, Kingsley Napley, Corker Binning, 25 Bedford Row and ABV Solicitors, who made it a great night!
Sherlock Holmes Production
17/02/2023
Millie Mittoo Children’s Projects in conjunction with HJA and Baron Productions held a performance of Sherlock Holmes in our Atrium. This performance was well attended and praised by audiences!
National Neurological Alliance Away Day
08/02/2023
We were pleased to host the National Neurological Alliance Away Day. Delegates attended from leading Neuro charities including Child Brain Injury Trust, Parkinson’s UK, Epilepsy Action, MS Society, Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association and The Brain & Spine Foundation.
Georgina Carr, CEO of The Neurological Alliance, is pictured with Leticia Williams, Head of our Personal Injury team.
Past Events 2022
AvMA 40th Anniversary Gala Celebration Dinner
02/12/2022
Lawyers from our Medical Negligence and Private Client teams had an excellent evening at the Action Against Medical Accidents’ 40th Anniversary Gala Dinner, along with guests from National Bobath Cerebral Palsy Centre, Yellow Jersey PR and Old Square Chambers.
The Bobath Centre – Annual Review Report Launch
29/11/2022
Our Medical Negligence Team, headed by Agata Usewicz were delighted to be able to host an important launch event for the incredible Bobath Centre.
Guests heard about the Bobath’s new review service and certainly left the event with a greater insight into what life is like for an adult with Cerebral Palsy.
They heard some powerfully moving stories from the panel of speakers, along with some striking statistics. The panel included four speakers living with CP and they agreed with the Centre’s research findings that over 70% of people aren’t offered an annual review of their condition by healthcare professionals.
Youth Practitioner’s Association Conference
23/11/2022
This conference was based around ‘Youth Justice SOS: everything you need to know about representing children in the youth justice system today’, and was held in our Draught Orders bar. It was a well attended and informative evening for guests.
No5 Chambers Networking Event
01/11/2022
Solicitors and barristers were invited to join us at our Draught Orders Bar to meet their colleagues face-to-face. This was a great networking opportunity, where guests enjoyed food, drinks and entertainment from a magician.
AGloha! 2023
13/10/2022
Our Personal Injury team attended the Child Brain Injury Trust’s annual AGloha! event, which raises thousands of pounds vitally needed to help children affected by brain injury.
The event, which takes places after the clock goes back, aims to raise awareness as we go into the winter months to ensure children can ‘Be Seen, Not Hurt’.
London Legal Walk
28/06/2022
Each year we take part in the fundraising event London Legal Walk, to raise much needed funds for the London Legal Support Trust.
The LLST is an independent charity that to help raise much needed funds to support free legal advice charities and pro bono agencies which help the most vulnerable people in London and the South East.
Altogether we raised £1,153.
HJA Drinks Reception In Liverpool
26/05/2022
Patrick Allen, Senior Partner welcomed guests including Lady Anne Dodd, patron of the Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital Charity (LHCH). Guests included doctors, barristers, local asbestos groups, financial experts and charities, and from the fifth floor of the hotel, they enjoyed panoramic views of the city whilst making new contacts and fundraising for the LHCH charity.
Mary Liley and Robyn Sefton of the Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital Charity (LHCH) were grateful for the donations received on the night.
Past Events 2021
London Legal Walk
18/10/2021
Our employees have been taking part in the London Legal Walk every year to raise much needed funds to support free legal advice charities and pro bono agencies which help the most vulnerable people in London and the South East. The pandemic has dramatically increased the need for free legal advice, particularly in the areas of debt, homelessness, benefits and domestic violence.
This year we raised a fantastic amount of £1,316.69.
London 10K Run
25/07/2021
Louise Jukes, Katherine Currie and Alisa McNeil ran the ASICS London 10K to raise much needed funds for the Child Brain Injury Trust.
The Child Brain Injury Trust (CBIT) is a charity that supports children, young people, their families and professionals and helps them come to terms with what has happened and how to deal with the uncertainty that the future may hold following a brain injury.
Our team raised £1,140.
Social Support for Suddenly Bereaved Families
25/03/2021
We are proud to support the work of Sudden Charity, and to be able to sponsor their webinar. Sudden is a charity that provides emotional and practical support to those bereaved by an unexpected death.
The free webinar analysed the importance of having a strong social support for people facing the shock of a sudden bereavement; from families and friends, to communities and local professionals in key roles.
- How can we enable community support to be unlocked and harnessed for people who are in shock and often facing isolation?
- How can we help concerned local people to help better?
Speakers:
- Jane Shackman, consultant and trainer in psychological trauma, crisis and victim support
- Nicola Waldman, Partner and Head of Wills & Probate, Hodge Jones & Allen
- Suzannah Phillips, Associate Director, Winston’s Wish
Past Events 2020
Annual Medical Negligence AvMA Fundraiser
26/02/2020
Our Medical Negligence team hosted its annual charity fundraising event on the 26th February 2020 for AvMA (Action Against Medical Negligence). This was the last event held at our infamous Draught Orders bar before the coronavirus pandemic hit us.
Over 100 guests attended the Rock & Roll Bingo event and auction. The team raised a fantastic £4,920.30.
Virtual INQUEST Quiz
4/12/2020
For the past 12 years, our Civil Liberties and Human Rights team have organised the “INQUEST Festive Quiz”, to raise money for INQUEST. Despite the ongoing pandemic, they were determined to host the quiz in December 2020, so that they could raise much needed funds to support INQUEST in their vital campaigning work, and for their provision of support for bereaved families.
The virtual event was held on the 4th December 2020, and was once again sponsored by Doughty Street Chambers, Matrix Chambers and Garden Court Chambers.
Total amount raised was £6,196.83.
London Legal Walk
June & October 2020
Employees of HJA participated in the London Legal Walk, on both the 8th June #10kStepsForJustice and the 5th October #10xChallenge. The event was organised by The London Legal Trust. Due to the ongoing Covid-19 restrictions, this event turned virtual.
Participants were given the opportunity to participate in any way and any place they like. Together we raised £1,423.45. The funds will support free legal advice charities and pro bono agencies which help the most vulnerable people in London and the South East.
Great Legal Bake Sale
12/02/2020
Every year, our colleagues participate in the Great Legal Bake Sale organised by The London Legal Support Trust, a charity that raises funds for free legal services in London and the South East.
This year, we decided to have our own mini HJA Great Baker competition. The winner was Aneela Samrai, our trainee solicitor, who was awarded the title ‘HJA Star Baker 2020‘. Her vegan chocolate cake was mouth watering.
We raised a fantastic £188.12, which beat our last record of £178.60.
Past Events 2019
Christmas Carols in the Bar
03/12/2019
Hodge Jones & Allen hosted its eighth Carols in the Bar on the 3rd December 2019, supported by the Lawyers’ Christian Fellowship.
Our guests enjoyed mulled wine, mince pies and carol singing, as well as an interview with a special guest, His Honour David Turner QC, High Court Judge.
Guests also had a chance to hear about the work Centre for Women’s Justice do on behalf of women within the justice system, and they had the opportunity to support their work through voluntary donation.
Annual INQUEST Festive Quiz
29/11/2019
Thanks to our regular sponsors, Doughty Street Chambers, Matrix Chambers and Garden Court Chambers, our Civil Liberties and Human Rights team organised its annual “INQUEST Festive Quiz” on the 29th November.
Every year, we aim to raise as much money as possible to support INQUEST in their vital campaigning work and their provision of support for bereaved families.
£5,407.58 was raised.
JFK Football Tournament
04/10/2019
Since 2012, HJA has been a proud sponsor of the JFK/HJA 5 a-side Football Challenge Cup, raising funds for children and young people who access legal support from Just for Kids Law.
For many years, we have competed in the JFK Charity Cup Tournament but never won. Finally, in 2019, this all changed when we won the tournament after a helping ‘foot’ from a female player.
London Legal Walk
17/06/2019
Each year employees of HJA take part in the fundraising event London Legal Walk, to raise much needed funds for the London Legal Support Trust.
The LLST is an independent charity that raises funds for charities that provide ‘life changing legal advice and free representation to those in need’ in London and the South East.
From a starting line at the Law Society, walkers followed one of two routes. ‘River and bridges’ crossed the Thames at Blackfriars, and went along the south bank to Vauxhall Bridge. ‘Parks’ took a long loop through Green Park, St James’s and Hyde Park, returning via The Mall and Strand.
£1,543 was raised.
Personal Injury Annual Charity Quiz
20/06/2019
Our annual charity quiz took place on the 20th June. This year, our team chose to raise money for two charities, the Child Brain Injury Trust and Headway.
The event began with a champagne reception, followed by the quiz, an auction and then a raffle. This year’s quiz winner was Temple Gardens Chambers. Anne Sander, partner in our Personal Injury team contributed to their win.
£2,414.78 was raised.
Personal Injury team takes on Tough Mudder
12/04/2019
Our Personal Injury team, with help from runners from our Medical Negligence, Housing, Mental Capacity & Deputyship and Accounts departments, took part in the 5K Tough Mudder on the 12th April.
£2,043.50 was raised in aid of The Child Brain Injury Trust.
Personal Legal Services Rooftop BBQ
23/05/2019
To celebrate the anniversary of the launch of our Personal Legal Services, we organised a celebratory event on the roof of 30 Euston Square.
The event was attended by solicitors, barristers, charities, and organisations that we work with, as well as several of our clients. The event kicked off with a champagne reception, followed by a BBQ on the top of the sunlit roof.
Our guests enjoyed themselves during the warm May evening.
We received fantastic feedback from our guests:
“It was my absolute pleasure to attend the Rooftop BBQ last night. I thought it was an absolutely cracking event.“
HJA & No5 Barristers’ Chambers Networking Event
04/04/2019
Solicitors and barristers were invited to join us at our Draught Order Bar to meet their colleagues face-to-face. This was a brilliant opportunity to also network with other guests in a friendly atmosphere.
Hodge Jones & Allen raised £3,869.85 for the British Lung Foundation
Throughout 2019, HJA employees organised a series of fundraising events to raise money for British Lung Foundation. HJA supports the amazing work they do to help those living with a lung condition.
HJA was the first BLF mesothelioma patron.
Big Breakfast
31/01/2019
Our fundraising initiative for BLF started in January 2019 with the Big Breakfast bake sale.
We then went on to celebrate #BluesDay, on the 18th June. We all dressed up in blue to help BLF raise awareness of breathlessness for ‘Love Your Lungs Week’ campaign. All entrants paid £2 to take part.
Frizz & Fromage
14/03/2019
In March, we hosted a fundraising cheese and champagne event. After a lovely introduction from Tim, a wine tasting expert, our guests were divided into groups to try various cheeses and champagnes and to learn about the history of each. The feedback we received was fantastic, and we are looking into organising a similar event in the near future.
London to Paris Bicycle Ride
25/07/2019
After a long six months of training, Daniel Cooper and Aston Luff set off for their 3-day epic ride between two of Europe’s biggest cities, London and Paris.
They cycled through the Kent countryside, then on to Dover, Calais, Paris, down the Champs-Élysées, around the Arc de Triomphe, and finished beneath the Eiffel Tower.
Altogether, we beat our initial fundraising target of £3,000 and have raised an incredible amount of £3,869.85 for the British Lung Foundation.
Past Events 2018
Annual INQUEST Quiz
29/11/2018
Every year, our Civil Liberties and Human Rights team organise the “INQUEST Festive Quiz”. Our quiz raises much needed funds to support INQUEST in their vital campaigning work, and their provision of support for bereaved families.
This year, the music round was slightly different. It was played by our own junior staff Camilla, Phillip and Jack.
Once again, the event was kindly sponsored by Doughty Street Chambers, Matrix Chambers and Garden Court Chambers. Thank you.
£3,924.98 was raised.
Trans Experience in the Workplace
A Panel Discussion
13/11/2018
In November, we launched an LGBT+ network to advise the community about legal issues through the different stages of their lives.
The panel discussion highlighted the issues facing trans individuals at work. The discussion featured Emma Cusdin, People Director at Aviva and Director at Global Butterflies; Homa Wilson, Employment Partner at Hodge Jones & Allen, and Luke Williams, trans Lawyer and Lecturer at BPP University Law School.
The evening, which was attended by around 70 people, was not only aimed at people who are part of the LGBT+ community, but also at those who wanted to show support and gain a greater understanding of the issues that trans and LGBT+ people face.
Women in Leadership in Law
23/11/2018
As part of our work with the Law Society we hosted a roundtable talk about Women in Leadership in Law. This was the largest international survey conducted on the topic of women in the law to improve gender equality in the legal profession.
There were over 100 of these events happening throughout England and Wales discussing:
- How to overcome the barriers to achieving leadership
- Our commitment to overcoming the barriers to achieve change and transformation within the profession.
HJA female employees from various departments and positions attended the talk, and shared their personal experiences from their career journeys.
Grease Charity Fundraiser
30/10 & 02/11/2018
Following on from its three amazing productions, Millie Mittoo Childrens’ Projects was back again with its very own unique version of the musical Grease.
The entire cast consisted of HJA employees. During the two performances, we raised a fantastic £4,336.75!
HJA’s Speed Networking Event
27/09/2018
The firm’s first Speed Networking Event for Junior Fee-Earners took place on the 27th September 2018, in our Draught Orders Bar.
The event entailed an intensive (but fun!) session of two minute meetings. In an hour, our junior staff met around 20 to 30 of our lovely colleagues.
It was a great opportunity to get to know colleagues within other departments, make connections, and enjoy a drink or two with their peers after a hard day of work. The networking event was successful, and we look forward to organising it again next year.
JFK Football Tournament
22/09/2018
Since 2012, HJA has been a proud sponsor of the JFK/HJA 5 a-side Football Challenge Cup!
The tournament helps raise funds for children and young people who access support from Just for Kids Law, a charity established in May 2006, who represent children and young people in criminal courts. 
We did not win this year, but we will be back again next year!
Raising the Roof!
16/06/2018
Hodge Jones & Allen, alongside Leigh Day and Thompsons Solicitors came together to support London Asbestos Support Awareness Group’s (‘LASAG’) fundraising event. LASAG is a registered charity that provides practical and emotional support for anyone affected by mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases in London and the South East.
The fundraising event was an uplifting musical evening, featuring entertainment provided by Siren, an electric-string quartet, and the vocalist Peter Eldridge, accompanied by the band from the West End show, “We Will Rock You”.
Our Asbestos team cycled 60 miles in aid of Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centres.
10/06/2018
After months of intensive training, the Asbestos team and friends cycled 60 miles from the Maggie’s Centre at St Bart’s Hospital (East London) to the Maggie’s Centre in Oxford.
Maggie’s Centres provides free practical, emotional and social support to people with cancer and for their family and friends. They follow the cancer care ideas, which was originally laid out by Maggie Keswick Jencks. Built in the grounds of NHS cancer hospitals, Maggie’s Centres have professional staff on hand to offer the support people need.
HJA Breakfast Networking Event – Have you kept the pace with GDPR?
27/06/2018
Following on from our highly successful networking events that we held the previous year, we were delighted to host June’s session on the effects of GDPR.
Members of our Personal Law team gave three 5 minute legal updates, which focused on the long effects of GDPR, five things every employer and employee needs to know about GDPR, and reshaping your customer engagement efforts.
After the short presentation there was an opportunity to chat and network. We have received fantastic feedback from our guests who found the event informative and very helpful.
Personal Injury Annual Charity Quiz
14/06/2018
Our Personal Injury team work closely with various charities and support groups that offer further support to people who have suffered an injury. This year, they have chosen to raise money for The Child Brain Injury Trust.
CBIT provides emotional and practical support for families and children when brain injury strikes. CBIT is the only charity to provide long term practical support for the whole family following childhood acquired brain injury.
The event was sponsored by 12 King’s Bench Walk Chambers. Thank you.
£6,577.59 was raised.
HJA Walk 10k in Aid of the London Legal Support Trust
21/05/2018
On Monday 21st May 2018, 45 Hodge Jones & Allen employees completed a sponsored 10k walk in aid of the London Legal Support Trust.
The walkers were able to choose the River Route or Park Route.
The London Legal Support Trust is an independent charity that raises funds for free legal services in London & the South East. All donations help to fund Citizen Advice Bureaux’s, Law Centres and other free advice agencies.
£1,797.50 was raised.
HJA’s Legal Bake Sale
13/02/2018
Every year, our colleagues participate in the Legal Bake Sale organised by The London Legal Support Trust, a charity that raises funds for free legal services in London & the South East.
£74.80 was raised.
Past Events 2017
Christmas Carols in the Bar
12/12/2017
For the seventh year running, Hodge Jones & Allen hosted Carols in the Bar on the 12th December, supported by the Lawyers’ Christian Fellowship.
Guests enjoyed mulled wine, minced pies, carol singing by an African Gospel Choir, and an interview with the special guest, Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb, High Court Judge.
Donations were collected for the Big Kid Foundation charity.
A Noisy Christmas Medley, With Stevie Wishart
07/12/2017
Hodge Jones & Allen was delighted to host Club Inégales’ Christmas Concert, which was attended by a special guest, Stevie Wishart, a talented composer steeped in the traditions of folk and early music, who draws on electro-acoustic sound and improvisation, and is also a beguiling performer on violin.
Another evening of intrepid sonic exploration at Club Inégales, with mince pies, mulled wine, and good cheer a plenty!
Human Rights, Public Inquiries & The Public Interest
07/11/2017
Nancy Collins, partner in our Civil Liberties and Human Rights department, joined Pete Weatherby QC, from Garden Court North Chambers, and Matthew Hill, from 1 Crown Office Row, to speak about their views on the role of public inquiries in securing human rights/accountability, and specific challenges for IPs.
The event was held at Garden Court North Chambers.
Employment team celebrates Legal 500 recognition
In November 2017, we were extremely proud to be recognised by Legal 500 last month for our work advising employees and senior executives. To celebrate, we invited our contacts, clients and regular referrers to our bar to say thank you, and to mark the special occasion.
The drinks flowed, canapés were enjoyed and business cards were exchanged. Many of the guests said how much they enjoyed the atmosphere in the HJA bar. The networking was followed up with LinkedIn connections and emails. We find that it’s useful to remind our contacts where we are, from time to time, and an event such as this was a great way to do that.
HJA Breakfast Networking Event
03/10/2017
Our successful networking programme continued with a third session this year, on Brexit- the impact on our family and working lives.
Three of our partners, from our Employment, Family and Crime team, gave 5 minute legal updates on the impact Brexit continues to have.
After the presentation, there was plenty of opportunity to network with various professionals.
Hodge Jones & Allen is proud to support the pupils of St John’s School & College
18/07/2017
We were delighted to sponsor St. John’s School and College graduation ceremony. Graduation is an important day in children’s lives, and we are proud to be part of it.
Hodge Jones & Allen is committed to acting for, and representing the rights, of children and adults with disabilities, to ensure that their rights are fully and equally protected, and that they are provided with the same standard of access to justice, education, employment and healthcare as those without disabilities.
St. John’s School and College support, educate and care for young people, aged between 7-25, who have complex learning disabilities and special needs. They currently have over 120 learners with autistic spectrum conditions, Downs Syndrome, Asperger’s Syndrome, rare/multiple diagnoses and severe communication difficulties.
Nina Ali, a Partner in the Medical Negligence team attended the ceremony on the 18th July.
More the Merrier
16/11/2017
Our Criminal Defence and Civil Liberties & Human Rights teams hosted a party on the 16th November to celebrate their teams achievements in 2017. Nigel Richardson took the opportunity to publicly welcome new partners – John Hartley, Kiran Mehta and Atiyah Malik. He congratulated Kerry Spence on her promotion to partner, and Graeme Hydari for his award as Legal Aid Criminal Lawyer of the Year. Raj Chada was also singled out for his shortlisting for Law Society and Society of Asian Lawyer Awards.
The great work of the Criminal and Civil Liberty teams was also celebrated. The turnout was fantastic with attendees from other firms, chambers, the judiciary and charities.
The night also provided us with the opportunity to maintain our old links and build new ones.
Champagne and Cheese tasting!
18/10/2017
Two new partners in the Family Law team, along with new fee earners in both the Family and Wills & Probate teams, provided the perfect excuse to organise an autumnal get together with friends and referrers to ‘Meet the Teams’ on the 19th October. We had over 50 people attend the event.
But what was the evening event you ask?
A quiz? Not quite. Perhaps drinks in the renowned HJA bar? Not that either. An auction! Not even close. The Private Client teams had gone for something slightly different – Champagne and Cheese tasting! With a competitive edge, of course.
Six teams, aptly named after famous Champagnes, competed against each other to identify (not guess!) whether they were sampling Champagne or sparkling wines, New or Old World grapes and, of course, which cheese went with which drink! Top marks (and the prize!) went to the Canard-Duchene Team who, despite their youth, were remarkably savvy about Champagne.
A great evening was had by all. Perhaps too good – it was a very quiet in the office the next day.
JFK football tournament
23/09/2017
The 23rd September saw the return of the JFK/HJA 5 a-side Football Challenge Cup! The tournament has run each year since 2012, and is well supported, with solicitors firms, barristers’ chambers, and other organisations entering, making a total of six teams.
Just for Kids Law is a charity established in May 2006, which represents children and young people in criminal courts. JFK also offers advocacy assistance and practical support to children and young people between the ages of 10 to 21 who need help with housing, mental health, education/training, school exclusion and various other issues.
JFK and HJA have for many years had a close relationship, including a successful 6 year period when JFK had an office based at the firm.
The tournament helped raise funds for the children and young people who access support from JFK.
It was another fun tournament, and this year was especially competitive. HJA managed to qualify out of their group but despite going 2-0 up, HJA were knocked out 3-2 by eventual winners, Farringdon. We are looking forward to next year already!
UCL sixth formers visit to HJA
01/08/2017
Hodge Jones & Allen hosted an evening for 16 – 17 year olds who were considering a career in law. The students were taking part in a week-long residential Summer School, organised by the UCL Access to Justice Centre.
Our Paralegals, trainees and solicitors provided invaluable insight into a lawyer’s life, their commitments to clients and the daily challenges they face in fighting for the rights of often vulnerable clients.
This event was one of several initiatives springing from the publication of the firm’s Innovation in Law report in 2015, in which HJA committed to establishing an HJA education scheme to promote the justice system through schools, youth and community groups.
A similar event was hosted in March 2017, which was aimed at undergraduates who were considering a career in Legal Aid. Both events were very successful. On the feedback forms, the majority of the students marked the visit to Hodge Jones & Allen as one of their favourite activities. They have also provided fantastic feedback:
- “Speaking to all the solicitors have cemented my ambition to be a lawyer! As many of the solicitors at this firm does, I cannot wait to make a difference to a client’s life! Thank you HJA.”
- “Listening to the solicitors at Hodge Jones and Allen was inspiring to see the huge impact the firm has on individuals’ worlds.”
- “I found the evening at Hodge Jones & Allen to be very motivating as the team of solicitors that met us were enthusiastic and encouraging, inspiring us to learn more about pro bono work and follow in their footsteps.”
Our next career event with association of the UCL Access to Justice Centre, will take place in autumn 2017.
HJA Breakfast Networking Event
27/06/2017
Following the success of our first networking event in April 2017, we were delighted to host our second networking event on the 27th June.
Our breakfast gathering provided an opportunity to make new contacts, and to hear important legal updates on family law, property disputes, and other areas.
Edinburgh Night Ride – Sleepless in the Saddle
17/06/2017
Our Personal Injury partner, Peter Todd, took part in the Edinburgh Night Ride on the 17th June, to help raise much needed funds for Narcolepsy UK. Narcolepsy UK is a charity which provide support, relief and aid to those persons suffering from narcolepsy.
#EdinburghNightRide is a fantastic one day charity bike ride event. It was first launched in 2013, and it has since raised over £130,000 for UK registered charities.
Peter, along with other night riders, pedalled 50 miles around Edinburgh. The challenging cycle route goes alongside the coast, through the beautiful and iconic sights of Holyrood Palace, Scottish Parliament Buildings, Edinburgh Castle, The Forth Bridges and the biggest elevation of the route, over Arthur’s seat.
Club Inegales: Warwick Blair Ensemble
1/6/2017
On the last date in the well-travelled ‘Renewal’ Spring Season 2017, we welcomed one of New Zealand’s leading composers to Club Inégales, Warwick Blair, who brings us his innovative music and top-class ensemble – with soprano Mimi Doulton, pianist Kathryn Mosley, soprano trombone Torbjorn Hultmark, Warwick Blair and Tim Ewers on electronics. They performed Blair’s music as well as a composition by Tim Ewers before they were joined on stage by Notes Inégales for our season finale.
HJA Walk 10k in Aid of the London Legal Support Trust
22/05/2017
On the 22nd May Hodge Jones & Allen staff did a sponsored 10k walk in aid of the London Legal Support Trust.
The London Legal Support Trust is an independent charity that raises funds for free legal services in London and the South East. The donations will help fund Citizen Advice Bureaux’s, Law Centres, and other free advice agencies.
The team raised a fantastic total of £1,207.50.
Housing Team Run the Royal Windsor Half Marathon
21/05/2017
Ed Veale, Arjun Jethwa, Jack Williams, Amirah Chowdhury and Karisma Ramsaran from our Housing team ran the Royal Windsor half marathon on the 21st May. The River Trail Run is one of the most iconic trail runs in the UK.
Our colleagues were fundraising in aid of the Cardboard Citizens charity. Cardboard Citizens is a theatre company that changes the lives of homeless people through the performing arts. They develop and support homeless people’s personal development, through building confidence, social skills and providing a safe community away from the negative aspects of homeless culture.
Our team raised £761.
HJA Breakfast Networking Event
25/04/2017
To celebrate our 40th anniversary, we hosted a number of initiatives, including business networking events.
The firm have always had its base in North London, and we are proud of the support and guidance we have been able to provide the local community and beyond over that time.
Our first breakfast networking event provided an opportunity to make new contacts and to hear important legal updates on employment law and other areas.
We have received fantastic feedback from our guests who found the event informative and helpful.
Black Lives Matter UK Night
23/03/2017
BLACK LIVES MATTER UK NIGHT INCLUDING FILMS, POETRY, MUSIC AND SPEAKERS
The murder of 17 year old Trayvon Martin in 2012 and the subsequent acquittal of his killer in Florida, USA sparked a nationwide movement. Black Lives Matter has successfully begun to reveal the magnitude of disproportionate violence against black people in the USA. This includes police killings and the lack of successful prosecutions, which indicates the level of systemic tolerance of violence against black people.
In the UK, police violence is also disproportionately inflicted upon the black community, and with a similar lack of accountability. Black people are overrepresented in deaths in custody, deaths in immigration detention, police shootings, stop and search policies, prison populations and school exclusions.
Hodge Jones & Allen hosted an evening of short documentaries and films, poetry, music and speakers from Black Lives Matter UK on the 23rd March in our Draught Orders bar.
All proceeds from entry and food went to Black Lives Matter UK.
Know Your Housing Rights Workshop
16/03/2017
Hodge Jones & Allen partnered with University College London (UCL) Centre for Access to Justice and Harringey Citizen to offer a series of workshops* on housing law issues most likely to affect you.
The workshops were held by UCL law students, with the assistance of solicitors and paralegals from Hodge Hones & Allen. There were opportunities to ask questions.
The four free workshops were on a range of topics:
- Tenancy Rights and Responsibilities – Tuesday 14th March at St Mary’s Catholic Priory School N15 5RE, 5.15pm – 6.30pm
- Disrepair – Wednesday 15th march at St Ignatius Primary School N15 6ND, 5.15pm – 6.30pm
- Homelessness, Temporary Accommodation and Allocation – Tuesday 21st March at St Mary’s N15 5RE, 5.15pm – 6.30pm
- Possession and Eviction – Wednesday 22nd March at St Ignatius Church, Stamford Hill N15 6ND, 7.15pm – 8.30pm
Open Justice Charter/Proof Magazine Launch
Dean Strang, Steven Avery’s lawyer, who featured in the Netflix documentary, Making a Murderer, talked about the case, miscarriages of justice and the need for reform on both sides of the Atlantic.
There was a discussion about criminal appeals with leading lawyers and campaigners in the UK, and a new initiative has been launched – the Centre for Criminal Appeal’s Open Justice Charter.
The event was sponsored by Hodge Jones & Allen and Patrick Allen, Senior Partner spoke at the event.
Matrix Inquest Law Roundtable
25/07/2017
Nancy Collins, a partner in the Civil Liberties and Human Rights team spoke at the roundtable to discuss recent developments in inquest law.
The roundtable provided an opportunity for those involved in the representation of families in inquests to share ideas and experiences on current issues over a glass of wine and nibbles.
Speakers and their topics include:
- Danny Friedman QC – Revisiting the common law and the impact on inquests if we repeal the HRA
- Lorna Skinner and Aidan Wills – Reporting restrictions, anonymity and inquests
- Nancy Collins – IPP sentences
- Kirsten Sjøvoll – Post inquest civil claims and costs recovery