HCLC News

HCLC is delighted to announce that Tunde Okewale, currently a barrister at Doughty Street Chambers, has accepted our invitation to become a Patron of Hackney Community Law Centre.

 

Tunde grew up in Hackney and attended Orchard Primary School and Cardinal Pole Secondary School, which is literally around the corner from HCLC's office in Lower Clapton Road. Tunde is a committed criminal defence barrister who has an impressive practice for his level of call.  

 

His comprehensive practice comprises General Crime, Serious Crime and Extradition as well as appellate work in the Court of Appeal and the Administrative Court.  All of Tunde's work encompasses an element of Human Rights and commitment to issues of social justice and civil liberties.

 

As well as his work as a barrister, Tunde also founded ‘Urban Lawyers’, an initiative set up to provide inspiration to law students from non-traditional backgrounds through online resources, networking and events, as well as to provide education to young people about their legal rights through online resources, events and merchandise.

 

Tunde has pledged to be an active and committed HCLC Patron.

Commenting on his appointment as a HCLC Patron Tunde Okewale said:

"Hackney has been an integral part of both my personal and professional development.  Becoming a HCLC Patron means a lot to me as it’s an organisation that is committed to promoting and ensuring access to legal services for a multilingual and multicultural community, the same community in which I grew up.

I hope my appointment as a HCLC Patron raises the aspirations of young people from similar backgrounds to myself, particularly those living in Hackney.

I look forward to sharing my skills and expertise with the organisation and helping to ensure that legal aid services remain accessible to those who need it".

 

HCLC Chair Ian Rathbone said:

"We warmly welcome Tunde as a new HCLC Patron.  As someone who grew up in Hackney, he will be aware of some of the problems our local people face, and as a leading barrister he also understands the challenges now faced by the legal profession in the face of severe cuts in Legal Aid.   Tunde  is clearly a leader in the field and someone who will bring inestimable experience and knowledge to the Law Centre".

 

Tunde joins a distinguished list of HCLC Patrons, who include Human Rights lawyer Louise Christian, MPs Diane Abbott and Meg Hillier, Actor and Television Presenter Sir Tony Robinson, and Jon Robins, Journalist.

The full list of HCLC's Patrons can be viewed HERE.