Christie Nelson
Co-Chair
Christie is an Associate in the Corporate team at Freeths LLP, advising clients on a wide range of corporate transactions including mergers and acquisitions, restructures and shareholder arrangements. After studying in Manchester, she moved to Birmingham to train and qualify. Christie took an alternative route to qualification, completing the LPC, three months of a training contract, then the SQE2 alongside Qualifying Work Experience as a Paralegal, qualifying in 2022.
As former Co-Chair of the Birmingham Solicitors Group (BSG), Christie is thrilled to now lead the newly launched Birmingham Junior Lawyers Division (JLD) with Kristian. This exciting new venture brings together the best of BSG and BTSS, creating a stronger, more inclusive community for junior lawyers across the region. Christie is passionate about shaping the future of the profession and is looking forward to making 2026 a year of growth, collaboration, and opportunity for all JLD members.
In 2025 Christie was named ‘Emerging Leader in Law’ at the Midlands Business Hero Awards, continuing on from her success in 2023, when she was named Insider Media’s Young Lawyer of the Year. Christie actively mentors aspiring lawyers through the University of Law and Aston University mentoring schemes, helping the next generation navigate their early careers with confidence.
Christie in passionate about staying active and lives for her skiing holidays! Her 5-9 before her 9-5 (which is rarely a 9-5!) is usually spent at a spin class at her local gym. Being a corporate lawyer means downtime is rare but when she can, Christie loves a country walk, especially when it’s followed by a trip to the pub!
Kristian Campbell-Drummond
Co-Chair
Kristian is an Associate specialising in Employment and HR law at Weightmans LLP, having qualified with the firm in 2022. With previous experience of leading the Birmingham Solicitors’ Group in a Co-Chair capacity, he is now relishing the opportunity to guide the inaugural Birmingham Junior Lawyers Division alongside Christie. He believes the Division can further Birmingham Law Society’s mantra of “One Profession. One Region. One Voice” by creating a central hub where Junior’s, from students to Senior Associates, can meet, socialise and develop their skillset and network within an inclusive environment.
Keen on encouraging and promoting diversity and inclusivity within the profession, in his spare time Kristian is enrolled as a mentor to students and legal juniors across various schemes in London and the Midlands. In 2024 Kristian was a finalist for The Black Talent Awards, in the Professional Services, Legal & Accounting category and in 2025 won at Birmingham Black Lawyer’s Excellence Awards in the Junior Legal Professional of the Year category.
Kristian played competitive rugby throughout his studies, representing Walsall RFC, Staffordshire County and Leicester EPDG. In addition to rugby, he enjoys watching rugby, Formula 1, boxing and football (but only when Arsenal are winning…). He also finds the energy to go to the gym at 5am to ‘beat the traffic’.
Gabriela Goldberg Bennett
Vice-Chair
Gabriela Goldberg Bennett is a dynamic and driven solicitor whose legal career began in administration, where she built a strong foundation before progressing into practice. Through dedication and perseverance, she successfully transitioned into a solicitor role, earning a reputation as a hardworking and committed professional.
While working full-time, Gabriela completed the Legal Practice Course (LPC) part-time over two years, demonstrating exceptional time management, resilience, and passion for the legal profession. During this period, she recognised the importance of networking and relationship-building, which has since become a cornerstone of her career.
Gabriela served as Chair of the Birmingham Trainee Solicitor Society from 2025 to 2026, where she championed and supported aspiring solicitors, helping to guide and shape the next generation of legal professionals. She continues to serve as a Council Member of Birmingham Law Society, contributing her experience and insight to support the legal community across the region.
Her commitment and leadership have been recognised through several accolades, including being shortlisted as a Finalist for Rising Star of the Year (Medium Practice) for two consecutive years, and winning the Future Leader Rising Star award at the LadiesFirst Awards.
Passionate about diversity, inclusion, and professional development, Gabriela continues to inspire others through her leadership and remains dedicated to the ongoing growth and evolution of the legal profession.
Pragya Chadha
Deputy Vice-Chair
Pragya is a final seat Trainee Solicitor at Harper James. Her passion for law stems from the fact that it combines logic, creativity, and just enough chaos to stay interesting.
Before starting her training contract, she volunteered with Street Law and Support Through Court, reinforcing her drive to make the profession more accessible and people focused.
She chaired the Birmingham Trainee Solicitors’ Society in 2024–2025, and during her tenure, contributed to the annual SRA roundtable offering grounded insight into the realities of today’s junior lawyers. Pragya is also the co host of I’m Working Late, which she runs with fellow JLD member Hollie Gould.
Together, they share honest conversations and practical advice for junior lawyers finding their way in the profession. Pragya is excited to step into the role of Deputy Vice Chair of the newly formed Junior Lawyers Division, driven by her mission to create a genuinely inclusive and connected space for junior lawyers across Birmingham. She hopes to create a community where people can share experiences, learn from one another, and realise they’re not navigating the profession alone.
Outside the office, Pragya loves unwinding with her PS5, experimenting with new recipes or at going to a yoga class. And when the day has been a bit much, she often winds down by rewatching The Office more times than she’d like to admit.
Aaliyah Simms-Grinter
Aaliyah is an Indemnity Adviser at the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and will begin her Training Contract in late 2026. A 2025 Women of the Year Award nominee, she draws on her diverse personal and professional experiences to support individuals from underrepresented backgrounds and build meaningful connections.
Alongside her role at the SRA, Aaliyah serves as a consultant panellist for the Anti Racism Council at Student Minds. She is an alumna of the University of Birmingham, where she completed her LLB, and now mentors students through the BLSS.
Currently studying the LPC LLM at the University of Law, Aaliyah was awarded the Birmingham Law Society’s 2024 Diversity & Inclusion Scholarship. A proud Sutton Trust and Change100 alumna, she is passionate about equity and representation. Building on her former position as EDI Officer for the Birmingham Solicitors Group, she is committed to championing the Birmingham Junior Lawyers Division’s initiatives and strengthening its community.
Aaliyah values collaboration, and authenticity. She can be found first on the dance floor at events. In quieter moments, she can be found colour-coding her ever growing to do list, sketching while watching a series, or playing PC games.
Ellie Atkins
Ellie has spent the past two years at Irwin Mitchell as a Paralegal working in their medical negligence department. Ellie will shortly be leaving to begin the SQE 1 & 2 LLM at BPP University, after which she is due to commence my training contract with Shoosmiths in 2027.
She completed an LLB Law degree at Cardiff University graduating in 2022, after which she went on a gap year travelling southeast Asia.
Outside of work, Ellie enjoy going to Pilates with friends, and is currently training for a triathlon in September which means a significant amount of my time is decided to swimming, cycling, and running.
Hollie Gould
Hollie is a second-year Trainee Solicitor at Anthony Collins, set to qualify in August 2026. After completing her law degree at the University of York, she returned to Birmingham to complete her LPC, LLM and Training Contract, which she secured in her second year of university.
During her training, she launched the legal careers podcast I’m Working Late, featuring influential guests such as Chrissie Wolfe and That Corporate Lawyer. To further assist with access to legal careers, Hollie founded YourLegalLadder, a legal technology platform designed to support aspiring lawyers with training contract applications, pupillage, and SQE resources.
As previous Charities Officer for the Birmingham Trainee Solicitor Society, Hollie is committed to championing the role of charities within organisations. Her passion for fundraising began early, Hollie was the youngest fundraiser for the Katie Piper Foundation for a period of time and continued her efforts ever since.
Alongside charitable work, she also actively mentors the next generation of lawyers through application reviews and guidance offered via YourLegalLadder. She has now earned a shortlist nomination for Trainee Solicitor of the Year 2026.
Kate Marrs
Kate is a Senior Associate specialising in Intellectual Property and Media, with a particular focus on IP disputes and a strong grounding in non contentious IP and commercial litigation. She acts for a wide range of UK and international clients including across the retail, FMCG, technology, cosmetics, manufacturing, media, automotive, and healthcare sectors. Her practice spans the full suite of IP rights, including trade marks, patents, copyright, designs, and passing off (and related matters), regularly advising on enforcement, strategy, risk, and brand protection.
Kate has an LLB in Law from the University of Sheffield, an LPC MSc in Law, Business & Management from the University of Law, and a PGCert in Digital Marketing from the University of Liverpool. She is currently undertaking the University of Oxford’s PGDip in Intellectual Property Law and Practice.
Kate has held several legal PR and communications roles, including as PR Officer for Birmingham Solicitors’ Group and the BTSS. As PR Officer for the Birmingham JLD, she oversees social media, newsletters, and website content, promotes events, and develops creative campaigns and marketing materials.
Outside of work, Kate enjoys live music and festivals, fashion, cooking, exploring independent bars and restaurants, travelling, Pilates, and cosy evenings with a good TV drama and her ragdoll cats!
Kyran Kanda
Kyran is a barrister at St Philips Chambers, specialising in employment law, personal injury and clinical negligence. Born and raised in Birmingham, Kyran studied Law and Spanish at the University of Nottingham, followed by an LLM at UCL and the Bar Course at University of Law in Birmingham. Kyran has worked in a variety of legal and non-legal roles across the charity sector, private sector, public sector and education sector. He has also lived and worked in Spain and France.
Kyran joined BJLD to create strong links between the Bar and the wider legal profession. He is keen to help junior lawyers and students to grow their professional network. He is passionate about supporting people from under-represented backgrounds to enter the profession.
In his spare time, Kyran is an avid theatre-goer, self-confessed film buff and keen home cook.
Richard Judd
Richard is a Trainee Solicitor at Trowers & Hamlins LLP but started his legal career in Birmingham when he undertook a paralegal role at Eversheds Sutherland in 2020. He graduated Aberystwyth University in 2019 with a Bachelor of Laws. He joins the JLD Committee after a successful run as Social Secretary for the Birmingham Trainee Solicitor Society from March 2025.
Richard enjoys a range of pastimes. Examples being physical fitness, meditation, Fantasy Premier League, reading psychological non-fiction books, binging competitive reality television, gaming, dance, social deduction card games – the list goes on.
Whilst these experiences differ greatly, Richard’s main interest is to experience the most out of life and bring people together. As your Events Officer, he intends to coordinate events that engender a sense of community for junior members of the BLS. These events will include a varied mix of social, networking, and professional development opportunities, giving junior lawyers the chance to have fun, connect and build relationships in a relaxed and welcoming setting. He looks forward to getting to know you all of you at future events and has a few surprise events planned.
Simran Arora Singh
Simran is a third year Solicitor Apprentice at DAC Beachcroft, working in Civil Litigation whilst studying part time at BPP Law school.
Since leaving school and joining the firm in 2023 she has achieved my Level 4 Certificate in Higher Education and is currently working towards my LLB Hons. Simran is set to sit the SQE, qualify as a solicitor and graduate with my degree in 2029.
Simran loves to network and is an an ambassador Outer Circle, a national community for apprentices and aspiring apprentices to network, socialise and collaborate.
Whilst undertaking this role with Birmingham JLD, Simran hopes to share her passion for apprenticeships as well as expand her network and connect with aspiring and current legal professionals in the city.
Last year, Simran was shortlisted for the Multicultural Apprenticeship Awards and received the Highly Commended Apprentice Award in the Legal category.
Outside of work, Simran is a a semi-professional Bollywood dancer and has a love for baking, travelling, going to the gym and her dog, Rosco.
Tom Reeves
Tom is a Trainee Solicitor, in his 5th year of the Solicitor Degree Apprenticeship, having joined Weightmans in 2021 straight from college. He is in the Casualty Local Government Team and works on a large variety of personal injury cases, having previously completed seats previously in Court of Protection and Employment, as well as an external secondment to one of Weightmans’ Employment Clients for a year. Tom is passionate about the charitable work that his firm undertakes, having been Treasurer of the CSR committee for 4 years, organising several events and hosting quiz nights over the last two years at the Distillery to raise money for the office charity.
Outside of work, Tom is a lifelong suffering supporter of Shrewsbury Town FC attending home and away games up and down the country. Tom also enjoys hiking and spending time with friends and family, as well as cramming in as many weekend trips that annual leave allows.
Victoria Zinzan
Victoria is a Solicitor at Irwin Mitchell specialising in medical negligence. Victoria qualified in September 2022, transitioning from a regional firm to a national firm.
Victoria has previously sat as Chair of Worcestershire Junior Lawyers Division and spent 3 years on the National Junior Lawyers Division executive committee, and as an advisor to the national Law Society as part of the Junior Solicitors Network advisory committee.
In 2024 Victoria was co-opted on to Birmingham Law Society’s council, before being elected as a full council member in 2025. Victoria therefore holds a wealth of junior lawyer committee experience and has built a network both regionally and nationally.
Victoria has a keen interest in supporting and raising awareness of mental health and wellbeing in junior lawyers, as well as commenting and reviewing national policies and regulation, and the impact of regulation and compliance on juniors of the profession.
Viney Jhalley
Viney is an Associate in the Commercial Team (health specialism) at Browne Jacobson and has a particular focus on commercial contracts, projects and procurement. Viney completed his training contract at Weightmans and qualified in 2022.
Viney is passionate about diversity and inclusion and currently sits as Co-Chair for the REACH Network at Browne Jacobson. This involves assisting with D&I Strategy for the organisation and arranging events nationally. Having grown up in Birmingham, he is keen on giving back to the community and encouraging the talented individuals within the legal profession. Viney was on the Birmingham Solicitors Group Committee for 2 years in his role as Events Officer.
During his spare time, Viney enjoys watching and playing football. However, most of his weekends are spent running around his 6-year-old son.