What’s Been Happening in Our Studio: Updates from The Activist Lawyer Podcast

Over the last few months, we've been privileged to host some incredible voices in the world of legal advocacy and activism. From human rights lawyers to advocates for human rights defenders, the latest episodes have highlighted some truly inspiring stories of those fighting for justice in and outside of the courtroom.  Read on for a brief summary of our latest episodes…

Joshua Colangelo-Bryan, a renowned human rights lawyer and special counsel at Human Rights First, joined our host Sarah Henry to discuss his pivotal work representing Guantanamo Bay detainees and his new book, Through the Gates of Hell: American Injustice at Guantanamo Bay. Joshua shared insights from his work defending human rights across the globe as well as advice for anyone interested in human rights legal work.

We also had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Keio Yoshida, a human rights barrister, about their new book, Pride and Prejudices: Queer Lives and the Law. Dr. Yoshida took us through their personal journey into law, while also reflecting on the legal advancements in LGBTQ+ rights, as well as the challenges that persist for queer communities worldwide. Keio’s inspiring yet sobering conversation emphasised the continuing need for LGBTQ+ legal advocacy.

In one of our most empowering episodes, Courtney Teasley, a criminal defence attorney and business coach, shared her work with emeffen™, a movement aimed at shifting the paradigm of justice for marginalized minorities. Through the MFN Framework for Proactive Advocacy, Courtney is equipping communities with legal strategies to prevent convictions before they even reach the courtroom. This conversation was a call to action for those interested in reshaping how we fight systemic injustice. Lawyers listen up!

Roman Shortall, a solicitor and investigative journalist, brought his unique blend of law and media to the podcast, sharing powerful examples of how his legal expertise and journalistic approach have helped secure impactful outcomes. Roman also discussed ongoing High Court proceedings regarding military flights using Irish airspace, highlighting his work at the intersection of law, media, and activism.

In another important episode, Brian Dooley, a human rights expert and senior policy advisor, joined Sarah to discuss his extensive experience working in conflict zones and advocating for human rights defenders, including lawyers.  Brian’s reflections on the intersection of activism, policy, and the real challenges of working in human rights were incredibly insightful.

We also sat down with Aine Rice, a solicitor specialising in Legacy Litigation and Historical Institutional Abuse, who is supporting survivors of the Mother and Baby Homes. Aine offered a critical perspective on the proposed inquiry and redress scheme by Stormont, which has faced growing criticism for being "unfit for purpose." Her work in challenging systemic failings has been instrumental in advocating for the rights of survivors. Aine address an important issue that we want to return to in future episodes.

Last but not least, we kicked off our new season of the Activist Lawyer podcast with Miglena Ilieva, a dual-qualified solicitor and founder of ILEX Law Group, who joined us to discuss her journey in immigration law. From building her practice across the UK and Ireland to advocating for clients facing challenging immigration cases, Miglena offered valuable insights into working in immigration law.

Host Sarah Henry with solicitor Miglena Ilieva

5 years of Activist Lawyer!

In October of this year we celebrated 5 years of the Activist Lawyer podcast! Focusing on our guests and content, we pretty much forgot to celebrate but shared a short montage featuring some of our excellent guests on line and had a chat about our favourite episodes!

And finally..

It’s been a busy few months in the studio, with each guest offering a unique perspective on how law intersects with social justice and activism. Whether you're passionate about human rights, LGBTQ+ advocacy, or criminal justice reform, there’s been something for everyone. As always we appreciate your feedback and support and ask that you continue to share and review our episodes so that we can continue to bring you more inspiring and informative conversations!