Choose your Leeds JLD Committee for 2026
EVENTS OFFICER:
ANYA WARD

My name is Anya Ward and I’m a trainee solicitor at Brabners, with my current seat in the commercial litigation team. I’m applying for the committee role of Events Officer and if successful I believe I would contribute to an already thriving committee. I’m a people person through and through and would take pride in being able to say that I helped to organise hosting the JLD events throughout the year. As a junior lawyer at the beginning of my legal career, I understand that networking is where the opportunities lie for us young lawyers. The key to building these lasting network connections is starting them in welcoming, fun and well-run settings. I’m really keen to help organise events as well as to bring a fun and friendly energy to the JLD committee.  

In my current role, I help to organise and run socials for the Leeds Office and have gained an appreciation for the effort that goes into planning events of this kind. Each month I help to plan a post work-social at various venues on the last Thursday of every month which I believe is key to boosting office moral. I have organised the Commercial Litigation and Corporate Defence joint Christmas party, which involved co-ordinating two separate teams whilst finding an activity and dinner that was exciting yet catered to the varying needs of the group. I have also worked alongside my fellow trainee and a paralegal to organise the Leeds Office Christmas party which demonstrates my ability to delegate but also come together and work as a team. The Office Christmas party saw us engage with external venues, cater to several varying requirements and organise a large number of people whilst sticking to a strict budget yet delivering a high-quality and fun event. Throughout the year I also help to host a variety of charitable events both in the office and externally.  

 

A common theme for all the socials listed above is my involvement in driving engagement and drumming up interest in such events. I also understand that whilst a main priority of these events is for juniors to build their networks, it does not escape me that they also must be inclusive and believe I have the ability to understand the varying requirements of those in attendance, including offering a range of events including alcohol-free.  I work closely with former chair Danielle in planning events for the office and so understand what is involved in terms of the time commitments of being on the JLD committee. In everything I do, I try my hardest to be as friendly and fun as possible whilst continuing to work hard. I hope to bring this with me to the JLD events and Leeds legal community. It would be such an honour to be able to join such a well established and influential non-profit organisation within our legal community. I very much hope to become involved in such a great organisation. 

Thank you for taking the time to consider my application.