The Society of Visually Impaired Lawyers

Chairman - Adal Ibrar

Adal Ibrar transitioned to a career in law following several years in the financial services sector. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and earned the Graduate Diploma in Law from the University of Law. Subsequently, he completed the Bar Professional Training Course at the City Law School and was called to the Bar by the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple.

Adal specializes in matrimonial finance, public and private children law, as well as international child abduction. His work is marked by a commitment to promoting access to justice for individuals who might otherwise face barriers. Throughout his career, he has been a dedicated advocate for those who are often marginalized, undertaking pro bono work, championing the use of inclusive accessible technology, and striving for inclusion in the legal sector.

Secretary - Sharon Grennan

Sharon trained as a solicitor at a City law firm. She qualified in 2002 specialising in financial institutions' disputes. With five years post qualification experience, Sharon qualified as a solicitor advocate and completed an LLM in banking law and financial regulation at the London School of Economics. She now works in a non-fee earning role as a professional support lawyer specialising in banking litigation and contentious regulatory work at another City law firm.

Treasurer - Jonathan Fenton

Jonathan qualified as a solicitor in 1983 and took ill health early retirement in 2011. He practised in the fields of pension schemes, investment funds and investment management, and charity law. For the 15 years prior to his retirement he was a partner of DLA Piper in London. He was formerly an Associate of Ashursts and a partner of the former firm of Denton Hall. Jonathan is the author of two books on pension schemes. Since 2010 Jonathan has suffered from a serious chronic migraine condition which led to his early retirement. Jonathan has acted as Treasurer for SoVIL for over 10 years. He was instrumental in the 2024 conversion of SoVIL to a CIO. Jonathan is a charity trustee (and Treasurer) of SoVIL CIO. He has advised his Board (previously Committee) colleagues on a range of issues relevant to SoVIL.

Bashir Alao

Bashir's first role after his degree in Economics was in the finance departments of the BBC and thereafter at the regulator of the social housing sector in the UK. His passion to champion the cause of the weak, vulnerable, disabled, and excluded made him pursue a career in law. He completed the GDL at BPP Law School, Waterloo; and the LPC at the college of law, London. His areas of interest are in criminal justice, welfare benefits, social housing, and youth matters. He was a trustee and management committee member of other advocacy groups.

Alice Bisset

Alice graduated with an Honours degree in Economics and Politics at the University of Glasgow in 2011. She became visually impaired shortly after finishing her degree. After university, Alice moved back down to London and completed the GDL and then the LPC at the University of Law, Bloomsbury.

Since then, Alice has worked as a paralegal in a high street firm specialising in conveyancing, before moving to another firm that specialises in legal aid family work. At this firm, Alice completed her training contract and qualified in August 2017. She continues to enjoy working in family law and continues to work as a family law practitioner at another firm.

Riyaz Hazi

Riyaz is a dual qualified solicitor and chartered accountant. He qualified in 2015 at a Silver-Circle Law Firm before moving to the big 4 to dual qualify. He spent 4.5 years in the big 4, advising banks and financial institutions on tax matters. He also undertook a secondment to New York in 2018, advising on international tax matters. He now works as an in house solicitor.

Daisy Robson-Odugbemi

Daisy graduated from the University of Leicester and went on to complete the Legal Practice Course in 2015 at BPP Holborn.

Since then, she has worked as a paralegal in Banking and Finance Disputes, Intellectual Property Litigation and is currently a Technology Media and Telecoms paralegal at a City firm where she will also start her training contract.