Junior Lawyers’ Association
Key documents can be found below:
Committee Information
Membership Form
JLA Pack
The Junior Lawyers’ Association (JLA) (historically the Young Lawyers’ Association) was established to promote the interests of trainee and newly qualified Isle of Man Advocates. The majority of advocates between 0 and 5 years’ qualification and trainees are or have been at some stage a member of the JLA. The Association is headed by a committee, compromising a Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, Social Secretary, Education Secretary and Student Representative.
Its constitution outlines that, among other things, the JLA’s primary goals are to:
(a) provide for the further education of our members;
(b) provide a forum for the meeting and socialising of all members;
(c) provide for and protect the interests both of present and future members; and
(d) promote the interests of the legal profession and the interests of the public in relation to legal matters.
The JLA works closely with the Law Society and many of its members are also involved with various committees of the Law Society itself. As and when requested by the Law Society, the JLA provides assistance to the wider Society, such as sending representatives to local careers fairs and assisting with outreach programmes to local schools.
The JLA also allows individual members to provide feedback to their peers about particular issues and the junior end of the Manx Bar to collectively put their views to the wider Society. The Association assists in developing contacts amongst junior lawyers and as such membership is strongly recommended for all Manx lawyers during their training and the first few years of practice.
What we do
We give members the opportunity to:
- discuss issues of concern;
- make their views heard; and
- network and connect with other junior lawyers.
The JLA aim to achieve this by regular (either free or discounted) social and educational events. Social events are generally organised straight from work on a Friday evening at different locations around Douglas.
In conjunction with the Law Society, the JLA also organises an annual results day drinks event celebrating the conclusion of the Manx Bar exams for the year.
Regular assistance is provided to the Law Society in organising its mock courts for trainees.
In addition, the JLA regularly arranges lectures from members of the IOM Constabulary, MIRS, and others, as well as tours of Tynwald, to complement elements of the Manx Bar course by giving practical context to theoretical concepts learnt on the course. These are generally well attended and enjoyed by all.
The JLA encourages members to provide feedback on its educational and social events and in particular to provide suggestions to committee members for any events its members would like to see.
How to join
The JLA annual membership fee is £25 and this runs from 25 November to 24 November every year.
Full JLA membership is open to trainee advocates and advocates who have been commissioned less than 5 years. Advocates commissioned for longer than 5 years are welcome to retain an associate membership of the JLA (£10 annual membership).
Noting an increasing trend towards employing individuals as paralegals before their articles commence, the JLA has taken the decision to permit paralegals to join the JLA as associate members also, so they have the opportunity to develop links within the Society when they are newly in their roles. This associate membership can be upgraded to full membership when these members begin a training contract.
If you have any queries about JLA membership, please contact the JLA Chairperson for more information.
The JLA’s current officers are:
Chairperson: Michael Miles (Simcocks) – mmiles@simcocks.com
Vice Chair: Charlene Lloyd (Callin Wild) – clloyd@callinwild.com
Education Secretary: Julia Crellin (Callin Wild) – jcrellin@callinwild.com
Social Secretary: Taylor Gentile-Wilson (MannBenham) – taylorgentilewilson@mannbenham.com
Secretary: Alice Watson (Callin Wild) – AWatson@callinwild.com
Student Representative: Shanne Gutierrez (Appleby) – sgutierrez@applebyglobal.com
Treasurer: Joshua Williams (Appleby) – joshuawilliams@applebyglobal.com