meet the mala committee
Judge Afzal OBE
President
Judge Afzal became President in 2018. He is a District Judge assigned to the Midlands Circuit. He was appointed in 2017 and previously, held an appointment as a Recorder. Prior to his promotion, he practiced as a barrister at No 5 Chambers. Judge Afzal became the first blind District Judge and is widely respected by those to who appear before him or know him.
Ranjit Thaliwal
Vice President
Ranjit is a founding member of MALA and qualified as a solicitor in 1993. He has specialised in mental health law for 25 years and runs Thaliwal & Veja in Leicester. Ranjit is involved with several charities and was former President of the Leicestershire Law Society. He enjoys being a visiting lecturer at De Montford University's School of Law.
Krishna Kotecha
Treasurer
Krishna joined MALA in 2014 and qualified as a solicitor in 1989. She specialises in complex clinical negligence cases and is deputy CEO at Moosa-Duke Solicitors, based in Leicester. Previously, she practiced at Thompsons solicitors and Browne Jacobson LLP. She is also a committee member of the Leicestershire Law Society and enjoys theatre, reading and cooking.
Priya Bakshi
Secretary
Priya joined MALA in 2014 and was called to the Bar in 2012. She is a busy barrister practicing criminal work. She is also a member of KCH Garden Square, a leading chambers in Leicester. Priya has organised the MALA Annual Ball for 3 years, to great acclaim within MALA and outside. Generally, Priya is a colourful social butterfly and is often seen at socials and networking events.
Sundeep Soor
Sundeep joined MALA in 2013 and qualified as a solicitor in 2001. He specialises in criminal defence, mainly commercial fraud and business defence. He is a director and head of fraud and tax at Cartwright King solicitors, based in Nottingham.
Rita Kotecha
Rita joined MALA in 2014 and qualified as a solicitor in 2008. She is an associate at Cartwright King solicitors in Leicester and specialises in criminal defence and immigration work.
harbinder Gosal
Harbinder joined MALA in 2017 and qualified as a solicitor in 1999. She is a specialist solicitor practicing family law, dealing with divorce and private law disputes. Harbinder previously headed a department and was a partner in a large firm. She is due to start her new role at a well-known Coventry firm in January 2019.
Sandeep Sandhu
Sandeep joined MALA in 2018 and qualified as a solicitor in 2013, specialising in family law from then on. She is an associate at Thursfields solicitors in Sedgley and is recommended in Legal 500. She is a proud, but often disappointed, Leeds United fan.
Iqbal Mohammed
Iqbal joined MALA in 2018 and was called to the Bar in 2008. He is a busy member of St Philips Chambers in Birmingham and specialises in commercial litigation. Iqbal is shortlisted for Barrister of the Year in the Birmingham Law Society's 2019 Legal Awards. Iqbal is a member of the MCCBA and Property Bar Association. He is also a governor of Birmingham Metropolitan College.