OUR
COMMITTEE
MALA is run entirely by a volunteer committee of practising solicitors and barristers who are passionate about equality, representation, and opportunity within the legal profession.
Our aims are simple - to connect, empower, and represent.
Meet the Committee
MALA is run by a dedicated team of volunteer solicitors, barristers, and legal professionals from across the Midlands. Their commitment and leadership ensure that MALA continues to grow, inspire, and represent our community.
MALA President
HHJ Fayyaz Afzal CBE
His Honour Judge Fayyaz Afzal CBE is a humble and brilliant character. With a charming personality and a drive to succeed, he’s always wanted to do something that mattered and helped people at the same time.
He graduated from Staffordshire University with an LLB in 1998 and completed his Postgraduate Diploma in 2000. He practiced as a barrister at No 5 Chambers in family law and in 2017, he was appointed as a District Judge and became the first blind District Judge.
He was appointed as a Circuit Judge in 2020 and is an Honorary Doctor of Staffordshire University.
In 2018, he was appointed president of MALA and is a strong advocate of equality, diversity and inclusion in the legal profession. His mission is to bring those in the legal community together to support the younger generation into the field and celebrate positivity and achievements.
Treasurer
Harbinder Gosal
Harbinder's passion for supporting mental wellbeing in the legal profession and supporting professionals who are neurodivergent inspired her to join MALA in 2017 as a committee member.
She is now MALA's Treasurer based in the West Midlands
Having qualified as a solicitor in 1999, Harbinder is a Legal Director at Talbots Law and specialises in all aspects of family law.
Harbinder cares deeply about equality and diversity and bringing more young people into the profession and supporting them throughout their careers.
Secretary
Priya Bakshi
Priya was called to the Bar in 2012.
She is a busy barrister practicing criminal work and is also a member of KCH Garden Square, a leading chambers in Leicester, prosecuting and defending serious criminal matters across the East Midlands.
Priya joined the MALA committee in 2014 and is now our Secretary.
Committee Member
Krishna Kotecha
Krishna was inspired by family members who were in the legal field and was fascinated by what they did.
Krishna qualified as a solicitor in 1989 and she specialises in complex clinical negligence cases, she is currently the CEO of 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.
Krishna joined MALA in 2014 to help increase awareness of the committee in the Midlands area.
Committee Member
Rita Kotecha
As somebody who has always wanted to help others from a young age and someone with strong communication skills, being a lawyer was the perfect fit for Rita.
She qualified as a solicitor in 2008 and is now an associate at Richard Nelson LLP in Leicester specialising in criminal defence and immigration work.
After being introduced to MALA through a colleague, she joined the MALA committee in 2014 and is a strong advocate of the wellness events run by MALA.
Committee Member
Parvien Akhtar
Parvien is a Director at Bright Legal Solicitors. Parvien qualified as a Solicitor in 1998 and has been practising law for more than 25 years. Parvien completed her training in Central London and specialises in the areas of litigation and family law.
Parvien was appointed to the Small Firms Network Committee at in 2019 and she is now Vice Chair.
Parvien is also a long-standing committee member of the Leicestershire Law Society and Chair of the Education and Training sub-board. In 2024 she was appointed as a committee member of the Midland Asian Lawyers Association. In 2025, Parvien was elected to the Law Society Council in Chancery Lane London.
In recognition of her contribution to the legal industry, Parvien was shortlisted as a “Legal Hero” by the Law Society in 2023. Parvien was named “Solicitor of the Year” by the Leicestershire Law Society in 2022. Parvien is also an SQE2 Examiner for Kaplan.
Committee Member
Mariyam Suleiman
Inspired by wanting to help people and witnessing language barriers in the legal field, Mariyam became the first generation graduate and lawyer in her family.
She was called to the Bar in 2009 and cross-qualified in 2018, beginning her practice as assistant to Judge Fayyaz Afzal CBE and a Local Authority Child Protection Lawyer. Since 2022, Mariyam has specialised in Commercial Contracts and Procurement at Leicester City Council.
Mariyam was first introduced to MALA by attending the MALA ball with Judge Afzal and wanted to give back to the legal community following her journey through a mentorship scheme, she joined the committee in 2025.
Committee Member
Zoe Lee
After studying and graduating, Zoe did some travelling to discover the world. She qualified as a solicitor in 2010 and started her career in conveyancing.
Zoe's background is in criminal work and mental health representation with a brief sabbatical at the Land Registry. She is now a Prosecutor at the Crown Prosecution Service in Leicester.
Having worked in and around Leicester, Zoe has been an advocate for MALA for a number of years. She joined the MALA Committee in 2025 to help create opportunities for the younger generation coming into the legal field.
Committee Member
Elisha Kaur
Inspired by Jhansi ki Rani, Elisha chose a career in law be a voice for those that needed justice.
She worked as a Paralegal for 4 years specialising in Serious Criminal Defence and White-Collar Crime.
She is now a Solicitor Apprentice at JMW Solicitors and joined the MALA committee in 2025 and is a founding member of the NALA committee too.
Committee Member
Sundeep Soor
Sundeep was inspired by a family friend who was helping people with legal support. He qualified as a solicitor in 2001 and has headed the complex crime team at a national firm for over 7 years.
With over 20 years of experience defending nationally in all types of Financial Crime, Serious Crime, POCA, Extradition and Regulatory matters, he is now a consultant solicitor at Defence Legal. Sundeep was awarded Nottinghamshire Solicitor of the Year in 2019.
Sundeep joined the MALA committee in 2013 with the objective of supporting those working in the legal field and those wanting to enter the field.
Committee Member
Reena Patel
Reena was introduced to MALA through a committee member and wanted to support the committee with their marketing efforts using her skills and knowledge.
Having worked in marketing for 20 years and being a Chartered Marketer, she was passionate about helping a non-profit organisation tell their story and share their message with the community.
Reena joined the MALA committee in 2025 to support the committee with their online presence and digital marketing.