Quarterly update from the Chair of the JLD - May 2025

Farewell to Our Chair, Pete Black

It is with deep appreciation and a touch of sadness that we bid farewell to Pete Black as Chair of the NEJLD. Over the past two years, Pete has led the Junior Lawyers Division with dedication, passion, and vision, and had made a valuable contribution to the development of the NEJLD.

While Pete steps down from the Chair position, we are delighted that he will continue to support the committee in his new role as Immediate Past Chair.

Stepping into the role of Chair is Georgia Meyer, a trainee solicitor at Hay & Kilner. Georgia has served as Vice Chair for over a year and brings enthusiasm and a strong commitment to the JLD. We are excited to see the division develop under her leadership as we move into 2025.

Highlights So Far

2025 is already off to a fantastic start, with the JLD committee working hard to deliver engaging and impactful events for our members.

We kicked off the year with a sold-out Paint & Sip evening at 360, an event that blended creativity and networking in a relaxed and social setting. Our thanks go to SaccoMan for their generous support in helping to make the event a success.

 In April, we held our annual “Approach to Qualification” event in partnership with BCL Legal. This flagship session, designed to guide junior lawyers through the transition to qualification, featured valuable insights from Francesca Hodgson, Partner at Womble Bond Dickinson, and Jim Pearson, General Counsel at GeoPura.

Now in its 14th consecutive year, this event remains a cornerstone of the JLD calendar, and 2025 saw our highest attendance to date, with 60 junior lawyers in attendance. We are incredibly proud to continue delivering such a vital and well-attended event for the region’s future solicitors.

What’s Coming Up

In May, we’re honoured to participate in The Law Society’s 200th Anniversary Celebration, where Caitlin Edwards, our Treasurer, will represent the NEJLD by closing the panel with a reflection on the vibrant junior legal community here in Newcastle.

For those exploring opportunities beyond the UK, we’re excited to announce a collaborative webinar with ‘The Agency Legal Talent’ on Thursday 5 June. The session will focus on NQ opportunities in Guernsey and Jersey, with follow-up 1:1 career consultations available for attendees who wish to explore next steps.

And last but certainly not least, we’re pleased to confirm that preparations are underway for the JLD Summer Party. It promises to be a fantastic evening, and hopefully, the weather will be in our favour.

It has been a fantastic start to the year, and we are keen to keep the momentum going for the remainder of the year. We’re incredibly grateful for the continued engagement and enthusiasm of our members.