MALA Ball 2025

Celebrating community, excellence, and connection: Reflections on the MALA Ball 2025

 

The Midlands Asian Lawyers Association - MALA Ball 2025 was a night to remember. Held on Friday 10th October, this year's event brought together members of the Midlands legal community to celebrate excellence, diversity, and the shared values that unite us. What began 17 years ago as a gathering of colleagues has grown into one of the most anticipated events in the regional legal calendar - and this year was no exception.

The evening was a wonderful reminder of the strength and spirit within our profession. From the inspiring speeches to the laughter shared across tables, the MALA Ball once again showcased the power of connection and collaboration across the Midlands' legal landscape.

Recognising our sponsors

We are deeply grateful to our sponsors, whose generous support helps make this event possible each year.

Our lead sponsors, JMW/Lawshare and St Philips Chambers, continue to play a pivotal role in supporting MALA's mission to champion diversity, inclusion, and professional excellence within the legal sector. Their commitment to community and collaboration mirrors our own values and ensures that events like the MALA Ball remain a platform for celebration and inspiration.

We also extend our sincere thanks to our secondary sponsors - Vienna Kang Advocates, Accuratus Forensic, Forensic Equity, and KCH Garden Square Barristers - for their contribution and partnership. Each of these organisations plays an important role in strengthening the Midlands' legal network, and their support reflects the unity that underpins our profession.

A night of celebration

This year's Ball was more than just an elegant evening - it was a moment to pause, reflect, and recognise the incredible achievements of those within our community. From early-career professionals to experienced practitioners, the room was filled with individuals whose dedication continues to shape the future of law in the Midlands and beyond.

Guests enjoyed a wonderful evening of fine dining, entertainment, and inspiring conversation, all made possible thanks to the exceptional event partners who brought the vision to life.

Adding a touch of fun to the evening, Narita Bahra KC from Garrick Law / 33 Chancery Lane also led an interactive matchmaking exercise as well as sharing her inspiring journey to becoming one of the most sought after silks in the country and one of the finest silks at the modern criminal Bar. It was a wonderful reminder that professional growth and community go hand in hand - and that meaningful connections often begin with a simple introduction.

Thanking our suppliers and partners

Behind every successful event stands a team of passionate professionals, and this year we were fortunate to work with some of the very best.

A heartfelt thank you to Atul and Lai-Yee from Sanjay Foods for their outstanding catering and seamless service throughout the evening. To DJ Bupps from Extreme Sounds, whose music set the perfect tone for celebration, and to Reena from You and Your Story for beautifully capturing the spirit of the event through social media.

We also want to thank Emily, Hira, and the team at Athena for their exceptional event coordination and support, Hitz Rao Photography and Yashtag Visuals for documenting the night so perfectly, and Anna and Dave from Soar Valley Press for their design and print expertise.

A special thank you also goes to the team from LOROS Hospice, whose presence and partnership remind us of the importance of giving back and supporting meaningful causes within our wider community. We were excited to donate £5,000 to LOROS Hospice and raised a further £3,030 from the night - a huge thank you to everyone who contributed!

Gratitude to our President and Committee

Of course, none of this would be possible without the commitment of the MALA President HHJ Fayyaz Afzal CBE and MALA Committee members, who dedicate their time and energy year-round to advancing MALA's mission and creating opportunities for connection, mentorship, and professional development. Their hard work behind the scenes ensures that events like the MALA Ball continue to inspire, empower, and unite.

Thank you to Parvien Akhtar from Bright Legal Solicitors, Rita Kotecha from Richard Nelson, Harbinder Gosal from Talbots Law, Krishna Kotecha from Moosa-Duke Solicitors, Sundeep Soor from Defence Legal, Zoe Lee from the Crown Prosecution Service, Mariyam Suleiman from Leicester City Council, Elisha Kaur from JMW, Iqbal Mohammed from St Philips Chambers and Priya Bakshi from KCH Garden Square.

Looking ahead

As we reflect on another successful MALA Ball, we're reminded that our strength lies in our shared purpose - to celebrate achievement, champion diversity, and support one another in building a more inclusive legal community.

To everyone who joined us this year, thank you for being part of this journey. Here's to another year of collaboration, progress, and celebration - and to many more memorable moments ahead.

To download the brochure from the evening, please click here: MALA BALL 2025 BROCHURE

And to see the photos from this spectacular event - have a look at our gallery here: MALA BALL 2025 PHOTOS