I joined Cartwright King in May 2014, having over 14 years experience of dealing with all kinds of immigration and asylum issues and having worked in both publicly funded and privately funded cases in both charity organisations and solicitor firms. I also have significant experience in advocacy. I pride myself in delivering a friendly and excellent service, where no stone is left unturned to ensure, I not only meet client expectations, but exceed it. I am proud to maintain an excellent success rate, and have extensive experience of unravelling complex immigration issues, including asylum, both entry clearance and in country immigration applications, complex applications outside the rules such as entry clearance in surrogacy cases as well as appeals.

I assisted in the setting up of a brand new branch for Duncan Lewis in Birmingham and was responsible for marketing of the office, which lead to it very quickly growing into a very busy office and expanding to more than double it's size. I conducted and represented all types of asylum and immigration matters and conducted most of the advocacy myself, achieving good results in often complex cases.

Within 4 months of me starting at Blakemores as Team Leader, I got promoted to Operational Manager and Associate, with responsibility of managing the day to day operation of a large immigration team of approximately 20 members of staff. I participated in stakeholder meetings of the ELAP asylum model, represented asylum seekers and immigrants in a variety of cases and conducted most advocacy myself in variety of Tribunals.

My responsibilities included managing a small team of 4 immigration solicitors/caseworkers, whilst conducting a heavy and varied case load myself.

Responsibilities:•ensuring adequate workflow•developing and maintaining local partnerships •furthering the strategic and business aims of the RMJ•overall responsibility for managing casework in the office/non for profit sector and achieving the required professional standards in all areas•managing team leaders with their own casework teams •8 years experience of the Legal Help and Controlled Legal Representation Schemes, GFS, Quality Assurance Standards & OISC•ensuring that the office as a whole is meeting specified targets whilst providing a high quality of service to clients and external contacts•managing and controlling office statistical and performance data using various Microsoft Packages including Word, Excel, Email, Internet and experience with variety of databases•setting and overseeing of a significant financial budget •monitor income and expenditure reports•excellent and proven interpersonal skills•appraisals, supervisions and file reviews •addressing performance issues in accordance with targets, disciplinary and grievance issues as appropriate•development and training of team members •leading on recruitment and selection of new staff• handling own caseload within tight deadlines and to include all of the following:•assessing claims to ascertain whether they fall within eligibility for Legal Services Commission Funding•providing advice and representation, using excellent and professional communication skills both orally and in writing and providing advocacy before Immigration Judges. •undertaking in-depth interviewing of asylum seekers and migrants from a variety of countries often via interpreters •researching background materials and instructing experts •negotiating on behalf of asylum seekers and migrants with UKBA and other 3rd parties•maintaining up to date knowledge of immigration and asylum law•achieving and maintaining all personal targets

Team Leader, managing team of immigration and asylum caseworkers, whilst conducting own caseload with tight deadlines

Responsible for line management of a team of 6 caseworkers including daily supervision of work in Birmingham whilst maintaining own caseload.Complying with SQM, by conducting monthly supervisions and file reviewsRecruitment of new staffNetworking with other agencies at multi agency forums including the Solihull Early Advice Project and raising profile of the office and organizationInterview and advise clients in Immigration and Asylum law, procedure and practice Representing asylum seekers and other migrants with protection issues in person or writing, including applications and advocacy. Drafting of witness statements, skeleton arguments, representations, skeleton arguments and other complex documents and lettersInstructing experts and obtaining expert country and medico legal reports and conducting research into country conditions and other asylum and immigration issuesLiaise with Immigration Authorities and other related agenciesAssist in ongoing training and support for existing staff and new traineesExperienced in Specialist Quality Mark and working within the OISC standards and codes, ensuring quality standards are maintained at all timesMaintaining and ensuring personal and office targets are met. Conducting probation meetings and appraisals of staffParticipating in the ELAP process and attending user group meetings on behalf of RMJOct 2007 to Dec 2007: Supervising Caseworker, RMJ As above, but with no line management responsibilities

Responsible for daily management of the IAS office in Derby Supervise a small team of caseworkers and support staff whilst maintaining large caseload.Representing clients from initial application to advocacy in the FTT (former IAT and AIT).Networking with other agencies and raising profile of the office to substantially increase workflow, bringing about the turn around of an ailing office.

Interview and advise clients in Immigration and Asylum law, procedure and practice Representing asylum seekers and other migrants with protection issues in person or writing, including applications and advocacy. Drafting of witness statements, skeleton arguments, representations, skeleton arguments and other complex documents and lettersInstructing experts and obtaining expert country and medico legal reports and conducting research into country conditions and other asylum and immigration issuesLiaise with Immigration Authorities and other related agencies

Consultation with clients and preparing files for courtBriefing of counsel and sitting behind counsel during Crown Court hearings

Managing four busy Regional Courts dealing with serious sexual offences including listing of cases and planning of court rolls.Involved in development and implementation of ways to minimize secondary victimization of victims of sexual abuseInterviewing victims of sexual offences and preparation of cases for prosecutionConducting prosecution of complex and sensitive cases of sexual violence.Training prosecutors and other role playersAssist and advise in criminal investigations

Interviewing and taking instructions from clients and preparation of defense in criminal court cases. Conducting defense of clients in criminal matters before Regional Courts on charges such as Murder, Armed Robbery and Serious Sexual Offenses.

Deputize Regional Court Control Prosecutor in management of Regional CourtsConducting prosecution of Serious Criminal OffensesInvolved in establishment and implementation of first Sexual Offences Court in area

Representing the interests of children in High Court divorce cases by making recommendations to the High CourtInterviewing children and other role players such as social workers and psychologists to establish and assess the needs and best interests of children