AdvocAid’s Legal Officer, Simitie Lavaly, was recently profiled by the University of West England Alumni news.

We are proud that Simitie’s work is being recognised by her former university and hope she will inspire current students to use the law to transform lives.

You can read the article below:

Simitie Lavaly

Simitie Lavaly graduated with Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice in 2004. After spending three years gaining work experience in the UK, she returned to Sierra Leone where her sought-after legal skills are transforming the lives of vulnerable women.

Chasing her dream

After leaving UWE in 2004, Simitie gained a broad perspective of the legal industry working as a Caseworker for The Law Society, investigating complaints made about against solicitors in almost every field of law.

Two years later, Simitie left her job to build on the skills she had gained at UWE. ‘I decided I wanted to return to Sierra Leone and pursue my dream of becoming a qualified lawyer, probably one of my proudest personal achievements to date’.

Climbing the legal ladder

And Simitie is right to be proud. Since qualifying as a lawyer, her legal career has gone from strength to strength. In 2008, she took up a position as a Legal Intern at the Special Court for Sierra Leone – mandated to try those who bear the greatest responsibility for serious violations of international humanitarian law and Sierra Leonean law committed in Sierra Leone since 30 November 1996. During this time she provided support for senior trial lawyers in the Charles Taylor Trial.

After her internship, Simitie took the natural next step in her legal career, completing her Pupillage with a top law firm in Sierra Leone. During this time, she provided legal advice, assistance and representation to clients in criminal and civil matters in the Magistrates Court and High Court.

Transforming Lives

Simitie now works as a Legal Officer for AdvocAid – a charitable organisation which strengthens access to justice, education and reintegration for female prisoners in Sierra Leone. Often, those she works to help are unable to afford legal representation and are detained in maximum-security for long periods of time.