The Committee

Co-chairs

Sophie Ewin, St. Edmund Hall

Hello All! My name is Sophie and I am the Co-chair of the Oxford Legal Assistance, alongside Mert. The main reason I submitted an application to join OLA was because of the recent news headlines I had seen regarding cuts to legal aid. Social mobility and equal access to services is something I have always supported and been involved with; the OLA offers an opportunity to do this from a different perspective. Raising awareness of the demand for legal aid within Oxford, and further afield, has been something I have wanted to focus on. Being able to participate in legal clinics has also been my favourite part of the experience, as I feel as though I am making a real difference in people’s lives.

Amelia Macleod, New College

Hi all! I'm Amelia and I am, alongside Josh, the Co-Chair of Oxford Legal Assistance for 2024/25. My interest in law has always been intrinsically linked to human rights; this was solidified during experience of the law relating to social welfare and benefits in my local community. It highlighted that the law can be a strong force for positive change, if used in the right way. I applied to OLA so that I could be involved with the community here, and try to help individuals navigate a system which is often inaccessible to those trying to bring a claim under it. Human Rights Law, particularly in relation to those seeking asylum, is a notoriously underfunded and under-resourced area, and I feel OLA is an invaluable way to make what difference we can. Not only that, but it is a brilliant opportunity to gain some experience working with clients and thinking about the law on an international scale. As Co-Chair, I also greatly value the opportunity to be a voice for the importance of Human Rights within Oxford, and aim to raise greater awareness of the need for legal aid within our society.

Turpin & Miller Representative

Alexandra Morgan, St. Catherine’s College

Hi! I’m Alex and I’m a second year Law student at St Catherine’s College. I wanted to get involved in pro bono work as I believe that it is important to do everything I can to help the most disadvantaged members of society. With my mother being an immigrant herself and escaping the dangerous political situation of her home country, helping those seeking asylum in particular is thus very close to my heart. The clinics and research tasks at Oxford Legal Assistance have been incredibly rewarding so far, and I can’t wait to continue with it this term.

Social Media Coordinator

Sanika Pherwani, Brasenose College

My name is Sanika Pherwani, and I am a second year Law student at Brasenose College. I am interested in immigration law and have thoroughly enjoyed my time with OLA so far. Working with refugees not only provides us with client interaction practice, but also with perspective- with each individual story showing a new world view. The clinic and training allow us to put our knowledge to the test and use it in an impactful manner.