Alexandra Goldenberg
Host Organisation: Hammersmith & Fulham Law Centre
Alex completed her undergraduate degree in History and Politics at the University of Nottingham and went on to the University of Law to undertake the GDL and LPC. After finishing her studies, Alex worked as a caseworker in the Immigration and Public law department at Duncan Lewis Solicitors. Here, she gained experience in asylum and fresh asylum cases as well as judicial review in the context of unlawful detention and removal of immigration detainees. Looking to expand her experience in legal aid law, Alex went on to work at Hopkin Murray Beskine solicitors working as part of the Housing team.
Alex has joined Hammersmith and Fulham Law Centre in January 2020. She is excited about practicing law in a law centre environment– particularly in providing legal services which have been removed from the scope of legal aid and in an environment where a holistic legal approach is adopted.
Project – Providing holistic legal services within women’s refuges
Alex will be focussing her project on providing holistic legal services within women’s refuges with the goal of increasing access to justice for vulnerable woman. Alex has identified this group because of the complex and interlocking needs including, but not limited to, housing, welfare benefits, child poverty, immigration and asylum. The cuts to the provision of legal aid has meant that users must access legal help from a wide range of services, if they are available at all. Alex believes that legal issues are not isolated, and it is important to address the person rather than the problem.
Alex proposes to identify and research the legal problems which affect this group by speaking to staff and users of refuges. Once legal issues are identified, the project will evolve to produce training to staff members with an aim to working towards setting up a legal advice clinic.
