Balaal Khan, Solicitor for Khan Solicitors Ltd and nominee Junior Lawyer of the Year 2009

 

My name is Balaal Hussain Khan. I qualified as a solicitor during October 2008. I am 26 years of age and of Pakistani nationality. I come from a family of 5 siblings (2nd youngest).

I am a proud Bradfordian, I was born and have grown up within Bradford. I studied for my LLB (Hons) Degree at Bradford College and then progressed to complete my LPC and LLM (Human Rights) at Leeds Metropolitan University.

I commenced my LLB (Hons) degree during the summer of 2001 and completed it in 2004. My time spent at Bradford College will always be very special to me. I learnt a great deal whilst studying at college and really matured personally. I made life long friends with people from all continents. I am travelling to Hong Kong next year to attend a wedding of a friend who I met on the degree course!. I found everyone to be very down to earth and friendly. The tutors were always available to offer support as and when required. This made a great difference especially during year one when everything seemed like jargon!

Whilst studying for my LLB I was nominated by my local community to stand for the voluntary post as a Youth Ambassador and in 2003 I was elected in by my local community as a Bradford Trident Youth Ambassador, acting as an advocate for local youths on various panels. During 2005, I received a Personal Achievement Young Person Award from Jeff Rooker, Minister of Regeneration for the work that I had carried out within my local community.

I commenced my training contract at Khan Solicitors Ltd in Bradford during 2007 and I continue to work for the firm as a qualified solicitor specialising in Criminal Defence work. During my short career I have worked on several Murder cases and serious fraud cases.

I am qualified as a police station advice representative offering advice and assistance to suspects throughout England at all times of the day. During the summer of 2008 I completed a LLM master’s degree specialising in human rights studying part time at Leeds Metropolitan University.

Throughout my maturity since the age of 16 I have got involved in various voluntary posts within the local community in order to make a positive impact and create opportunities and promote youth empowerment within the local community. I joined Manningham Mills Cricket Club in the beginning of 2008 as a voluntary coach for the youth cricket team and now hold the post of the child welfare officer and secretary for Manningham Mills Cricket Club. More recently on 4th June 2009 I have been elected by my local community (Bradford Trident) as a parish councillor. Through this post I am able to voice the concerns and recommend changes within my local community.

I have recently been shortlisted by the Law Society for a national award of Junior Lawyer of the year 2009. I feel that this is a great accomplishment and hope to go on to win similar awards in the future.

I would highly recommend everyone to study at Bradford College due to the excellent support provided and the friendly staff. The residents of Bradford are very warm and friendly also. The LLB degree is the foundation required to embark on a career within the legal field and with all successful structures the foundation has to be made perfectly strong!