A TOP black lawyer has been named patron of the Hackney Community Law Centre (HCLC) in east London.
Tunde Okewale is a barrister at Doughty Street Chambers, alongside high profile figures such as Baroness Helena Kennedy QC and former Director of Public Prosecutions Keir Starmer.
The 29-year-old Hackney-born lawyer has been described as a committed criminal defence barrister with an impressive practice.
Okewale is also founder of Urban Lawyers - an initiative aimed at educating young people about their legal rights and inspiring and supporting law students from non-traditional backgrounds, through online resources, networking and events.
Commenting on his appointment 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.”
He added: “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, which provides free and independent legal advice and representation to people living, working or studying in the London Borough of Hackney and neighbouring boroughs, say Tunde’s work with human rights and his commitment to issues of social justice and civil liberties will be an asset to their organisation.
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".