Law School lecturer aims to make a difference as the youngest-ever Birmingham Law Society president

Linden Thomas, a senior lecturer from the Birmingham Law School has been appointed as President of the Birmingham Law Society.

At just 34, Linden Thomas is believed to be the youngest person to lead the Birmingham Law Society in its 200-year history, and only the sixth woman to do so. As a passionate advocate for equality, she has pledged to make access to justice a key priority issue for thousands of people across the Midlands who cannot afford legal representation during her year-long presidential tenure.

As President of the Birmingham Law Society, Linden will also lead its members in supporting two local charities (Citizens Advice Birmingham and the Central England Law Centre) that facilitate access to justice.

“I am honoured to be taking on the role of President of Birmingham Law Society. It is a dynamic and active organisation which works to bring many benefits to its members and to the wider community.  We have an exciting and ambitious agenda planned for the coming 12 months which will include a particular focus on access to justice, mental health and wellbeing in the profession and equality and access to the legal profession.  I am particularly proud to be taking on this role during the 100^th anniversary year of women being able to practise law.”

Linden joined Birmingham Law School in September 2013.  As supervising solicitor she is responsible for coordinating the School's pro bono programme, which includes the Birmingham Free Legal Advice Group, the Birmingham Environmental Law Foundation Clinic, an active Streetlaw public legal education programme and many other projects.

In April 2014 Linden also took on the role of Manager of the Centre for Professional Legal Education and Research (CEPLER).  She is responsible for overseeing CEPLER's diverse range of activity and its links with the legal profession.

Linden is committed to pro bono work.  She chaired Birmingham Law Society’s Pro Bono committee between 2014 and 2018 and is a Trustee and Chair of the Board for Citizens Advice Birmingham.

Professor Lisa Webley, Head of Birmingham Law School welcomed Linden's appointment: "We are delighted that Linden Thomas becomes President of the Birmingham Law Society today, and in the year in which we celebrate 100 years of women in Law.  Linden plays a pivotal role in our Centre for Professional Legal Education and Research, as both CEPLER Manager and as one of our clinical legal education experts teaching law through the lens of legal practice.”

Linden officially took up her position of President at the Birmingham Law Society AGM, held on Tuesday 30 April 2019.

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