Deminor Supports the LILA Trailblazer Programme
Deminor is proud to announce its sponsorship of a social mobility initiative spearheaded by the London Irish Lawyers Association (LILA).
As detailed on the London Irish Lawyers Association website, LILA's Trailblazer Programme collaborates with universities across the four provinces of Ireland, establishing a programme of workshops, talks, and a mooting competition. This programme targets students with a passion for law who meet a set of socio-economic indicators and those attending DEIS schools (schools facing educational disadvantage).
(Image courtesy of Irish Legal News)
Launched two years ago, the LILA Trailblazer Programme began its first full programme of events in Autumn 2023.
Recognising the importance of pro bono work and the valuable contributions of organisations like LILA, Deminor is committed to supporting initiatives that foster the development of future legal professionals from all backgrounds. This sponsorship will provide financial support and mentorship opportunities to law students participating in LILA's programme.
Deminor believes this programme provides a valuable platform for law students to develop essential legal skills and contribute positively to their communities. By supporting LILA's Trailblazer Programme, Deminor aims to contribute to the development of a more engaged and socially conscious legal profession and to improve social mobility within the legal industry.
Congratulations to the 2025 finalists!
The 2025 Trailblazers final took place in London in March and LILA shared the following LinkedIn post which so perfectly summarised and commemorated the incredible events that took place:
"This time last week, two sets of finalists were flown into London as part of the LILA Trailblazers Programme, to compete in the Grand Mooting Final in the famous Court 1 of the stunning Old Bailey!
It wasn't just mooting however! They had a packed Friday, visiting the UKSupremeCourt for a tour and a personal meeting with Lord Stephens in the morning, which was fantastic. Lord Stephens talked through each finalists' aspirations and gave his advice and insights - which are pretty impressive, from a sitting Supreme Court Justice!
We followed that up with a visit at the Embassy of Ireland, Great Britain, where we were welcomed with open arms by Mary McKenna for another wonderful experience.
After being able to do some final prep that afternoon within the conference rooms of Withersworldwide, we crossed the road to the Old Bailey, for another typically tremendous speech and pep talk from HHJ Angela Rafferty KC, who then presided over the Grand Final.
And what a final: the Munster team of Chidindu Ukah and Mohammad Ahmed Naeem performed brilliantly, earning stellar praise from the bench. The victory though, for best school pupil and best university student, went to the Ulster team, of Sofia Scullion and Eden Wilson, who were exceptional.
As a perfect way to celebrate, Pinsent Masons and the ever brilliant Alan Davis hosted us again for the end of evening party.
The Trailblazers is a social mobility programme LILA and our community are deeply proud of, but it wouldn't be close to being possible without the support of Deminor, a leading litigation funder we are hugely grateful to.
Also shout outs to the whole sub-mooting team of Megan Miller (6KBW), Tomas McGarvey, Freya Foster and Mark O'Brien O'Reilly, and the rest of the Traiblazers working group (with special mentions going to Kerri McGuigan and Jonathan Lyness).
It takes a village though, and each finalist really did University College Cork, Queen's University Belfast and St Catherines (Armagh) exceptionally proud.
The hard work on Traiblazers continues for the coming month, after which we will be gearing up for the 2025/26 Programme - if interested in helping out, do reach out to us at contact@londonirishlawyers.co.uk."
To learn more about the LILA Trailblazer Programme, or for more information about Deminor's litigation funding services you are more than welcome to reach out to General Counsel UK David Walker.
