Paralegal – Criminal Defence – Derby
Ellie is a Paralegal in the Criminal Defence Department. She graduated from Nottingham Trent University with an LLB (Hons) in Law and has always been passionate about pursuing a career in Criminal Law. Since joining the firm, Ellie has developed valuable experience representing and supporting clients through all stages of the criminal justice process and is looking forward to further developing her career with us.
Ellie manages her own caseload while also working closely alongside senior colleagues on a wide range of criminal matters. Her role includes meeting with clients to take instructions, preparing cases, attending conferences, and supporting clients and barristers at court hearings. She is committed to ensuring that clients receive clear advice, practical support, and strong representation throughout their case.
Known for her reliability and willingness to support colleagues wherever needed, Ellie takes pride in delivering high-quality work and maintaining a client-focused approach. Outside of work, she enjoys attending concerts, spending time with friends and family, and following rugby, both as a spectator and as a player.
Paralegal – Family – Derby
Sarah is a Paralegal in the Family Department. She graduated from the University of Derby in 2023 with a First Class Honours degree in Law (LLB) and is currently studying towards her LPC LLM on a part-time basis, further developing her legal knowledge and practical expertise.
Sarah works across a broad range of Family and Child Law matters, including Child Arrangements, Public Law Children cases and wider family proceedings. She supports clients and senior solicitors by drafting legal documents, including court applications and witness statements, attending court hearings to assist instructed counsel, and helping to ensure cases progress smoothly from start to finish. Her ability to speak fluent Urdu also enables her to communicate effectively with clients from diverse backgrounds, helping to make legal advice more accessible and ensuring clients feel supported throughout their matter.
Outside of work, Sarah enjoys keeping active through regular gym sessions and hiking, and values maintaining a healthy balance between her professional and personal life.
Assistant Solicitor – Family – Derby
Sunahjit is a Family Law Solicitor based at our Derby office.
Sunahjit attended the University of Leicester studying Law (LLB), later attending De Montfort University to study the Legal Practice Course (LPC and LLM) in which she achieved a distinction.
Sunahjit has experience in various areas of Family Law, now specialising in Private Law Children Proceedings, including resolving disputes relating to child arrangements, such as determining where children will live (formerly referred to as custody), Public Law Children Proceedings involving cases where the Local Authority or Social Services are involved, and matters relating to Domestic Abuse. She brought with her the skills she had already developed and her already well established ability to put her client’s needs first, to listen and support throughout what is invariably a difficult and stressful time for them.
Sunahjit has a wealth of experience in representing parents, grandparents and other family members, undertaking advocacy in several types of hearings, such as First Hearings, Case Management Hearings, Dispute Resolution Hearings, Issues Resolution Hearings and contested Final Hearings (including cross-examination).
Sunahjit enjoys painting scenic landscapes and reading in her spare time. She is also a brown belt member of the Leicester and Loughborough Shotokan Karate club, actively pursuing her black belt. Sunahjit speaks Punjabi, Urdu, Hindi and Gujarati fluently too, enhancing communication with client’s from diverse backgrounds.
Paralegal – Public Law & Community Care – Nottingham
Mohamad is a Paralegal in the firm’s Public Law & Community Care Department. He has developed a strong foundation in legal research, drafting, and case management through both his academic studies and practical experience. Mohamad is also a qualified English/Arabic interpreter, enabling him to provide effective support to a diverse range of clients.
Mohamad specialises in Public Law matters, with a particular focus on Judicial Review and Community Care cases. He works closely with senior solicitors, assisting with complex and often urgent cases involving vulnerable individuals. His responsibilities include drafting Pre-Action Protocol letters and Grounds for Review, conducting detailed legal research, preparing court bundles, and ensuring compliance with the Civil Procedure Rules. He has supported clients facing significant challenges, including those who have been denied accommodation or had applications for support unfairly refused by public bodies. His communication skills help ensure clients receive clear advice and support throughout their case.
Known for his adaptability and meticulous attention to detail, Mohamad is committed to achieving the best possible outcomes for clients while maintaining the highest standards of client care. Outside of work, he enjoys keeping up to date with legal developments, exploring emerging technologies and artificial intelligence, attending professional networking events, and staying active through fitness and outdoor pursuits.
Trainee Solicitor – Public Law & Community Care – Nottingham
Jake is a Trainee Solicitor in the firm’s Public Law and Community Care Department. Before entering the legal profession, Jake completed a degree in History and subsequently achieved an MA Law (Conversion) in 2025. He began his legal career with a commercial law firm in Derby before joining Bhatia Best, where he now specialises in supporting clients in Public Law and Community Care matters.
Jake works as part of the Public Law team, assisting some of the most vulnerable members of the community, including asylum seekers, refugees, homeless individuals and unaccompanied asylum-seeking children. Many of the clients he supports require urgent legal assistance, and Jake plays an important role in helping them secure essential services and support from public bodies. His work combines careful case preparation, strong client communication and a commitment to achieving positive outcomes for those facing challenging circumstances.
Known for his attention to detail and keen interest in legal developments, Jake takes a thorough and proactive approach to his work. He is dedicated to providing clear, effective support to clients and helping them navigate complex legal issues with confidence. Outside of work, Jake is a passionate football supporter who follows both the England national team and Derby County.
Assistant Solicitor – Criminal Defence – Nottingham
Pierce qualified as a Solicitor in 2018 and came to us from a background in Probate Law. Having trained in Criminal Litigation, he re-discovered his passion for Defence Representation and is now a well-established litigator in our busy Nottingham Crime Department.
Pierce’s main focus is upon serious criminal cases appearing before the Crown Court but he is also able to represent those under police arrest seeking urgent advice and assistance prior to being interviewed under caution, or those appearing before the Magistrates Court.
Having an innate ability to look beneath the surface and apply an inquisitive mind to his cases, Pierce is often able to uncover important pieces of evidence to support a client’s narrative and cast doubt upon a case theory that might otherwise be accepted if not subjected to the sort of scrutiny that we, as Criminal Defence Lawyers, are bound to apply. His diligence and commitment as a case handler are two of his clear standout qualities.
Trainee Solicitor – Public Law & Community Care – Nottingham
Alicia is a Trainee Solicitor in the firm’s Public Law and Community Care department. Having completed her studies, she is developing her practical experience in this specialist area while supporting clients through a range of Public Law and Community Care matters.
Working closely with senior fee earners, Alicia assists with case management, drafts legal documents and correspondence, and helps ensure matters progress efficiently. She is often the first point of contact for clients and takes pride in providing clear, professional communication and support from the outset of their case.
Alicia’s approachable manner and strong communication skills enable her to build positive relationships with clients whilst helping them navigate often complex legal issues with confidence.
Paralegal – Public Law & Community Care – Nottingham
Verona is a Paralegal in the firm’s Public Law and Community Care Department. She holds a Master’s degree in Human Rights Law, which sparked her interest in supporting individuals facing complex legal and social challenges and led her into a career dedicated to public law and legal aid work.
As part of the Public Law team, Verona provides support across a range of matters, assisting with casework, drafting legal documents, and maintaining regular communication with clients. She is often a key point of contact for clients, helping them understand the progress of their case and ensuring they feel supported throughout the legal process. Working closely with senior colleagues, she plays an important role in progressing matters efficiently and securing the best possible outcomes for clients.
Known for her empathetic approach, Verona is committed to providing a professional and compassionate service to every client. Her ability to build trust and strong working relationships helps clients feel reassured and supported during what can often be difficult circumstances.
Trainee Solicitor – Personal Injury – Nottingham
Francesca is a Trainee Solicitor in our Personal Injury Department. She completed her LLB Law with Business at Nottingham Trent University and is currently studying towards her LLM Legal Practice Course. Prior to joining the firm, Francesca gained valuable litigation experience at one of Derby’s largest law firms, where she worked within a debt recovery department and developed a strong foundation in legal procedures and client communication.
Working closely with senior caseworkers, Francesca plays an important role in the progression and management of personal injury claims. Her responsibilities include supporting clients throughout their cases, conducting legal research, drafting legal documentation, analysing medical records and accident reports, and preparing detailed case reports. She is also responsible for maintaining accurate records and ensuring that case files are thoroughly prepared and up to date. Francesca has been involved in several complex matters, including supporting claims arising from the Post Office scandal litigation.
Known for her excellent communication skills and attention to detail, Francesca takes pride in building positive relationships with clients and professional contacts alike. She is committed to providing a professional, efficient service and helping clients navigate the claims process with confidence. Outside of work, Francesca enjoys swimming and regularly attends the gym to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle.
Paralegal – Crime – Nottingham
Madeleine has a great talent for blending no-nonsense analysis and advice with compassion and client care. Being able to perform critical assessments and deliver meaningful, realistic, down-to-earth solutions is a key skill for any criminal practitioner and one which Madeleine displays in abundance.
While her primary role is on caseworking serious crime matters in the Crown Court, Madeleine is also frequently called upon to deliver on-the-spot assistance to those under police arrest, facing interview under caution and the prospect of a criminal charge going before the Courts.
