One of the most memorable parts of the afternoon was speaking to Chikira Smith-Richards, a trainee solicitor at Anthony Gold Solicitors, who talked about her experience working as a housing paralegal. She was very open and honest about both the challenges and the rewarding parts of the job. It made me realise how much value there is in hearing from people who are just a few steps ahead in their career. Sometimes we hear from very senior people, but voices like Chikira’s feel more grounded and relatable.
I left feeling really reflective about the kind of legal career I want to build. I’ve always been interested in social justice and the law, but this conference showed me how housing law sits right at that intersection. Even if I don’t end up specialising in housing law, I know that the skills and values at the heart of it - compassion and understanding - are things I want to carry forward in any area I work in.
Overall, I am glad I got to be a small part of the conference. It reminded me that the law doesn’t have to feel distant or abstract. It can be practical, empathetic, and most powerful when it centres on the voices of those it’s meant to help.
Nauman
The Future of Housing Law Conference offered much practical insight for aspiring practitioners of housing law, in an environment that felt welcoming and communal. The event consisted of three panels, punctuated with refreshment breaks. Solicitors, barristers and political campaigners talked to guests about crossover practice, changing the law, and available career pathways. Having worked on some housing cases as a volunteer at the King’s Legal Clinic, I hoped the event would be an opportunity to learn from the perspectives of experienced practitioners.
I was certainly not disappointed. Speakers on the first panel highlighted the multidisciplinary nature of housing law; how an understanding of issues in employment and immigration can illuminate the context in which housing issues arise. As panellist Nick Bano put it, housing law is where structural failings are most exposed.
The second panel was on changing the law and offered an insightful discussion on how non-legal tools, like data collection, campaigning, and lobbying MPs can all be wielded effectively as tools in a broader arsenal. It was a necessary reminder that the law is always subject to change, and that what is legal is not necessarily what is fair or just. These ideas underpinned a discussion on the Renter’s Rights Bill, where experienced lawyers who had already been instrumental in pushing the law forward offered their view on what the bill does well, and how it could go even further.
The final panel on careers helped make the field seem more accessible. It was a welcome reminder that no one’s journey is the same and there is no need to take the shortest possible linear path to where you want to be.
I was energised and excited by the panellists' passion and dedication to advocating for vulnerable people. From hardened veterans of the system to newly qualified professionals ready to challenge it, I felt the event was an inclusive space where anyone interested in fighting for justice could feel welcome.
All in all, I felt the event was an invaluable experience for anyone interested in Legal Aid or human rights. Not only was it an opportunity to learn from people who have worked with and shaped the law, it was a welcome reminder that the law is not something sterile and static, but a living thing we can work together to shape for the benefit of our communities.