About Us
Established 1860
The Sussex Law Society was established in 1860 and ever since, management of the Society is by a General Committee consisting of the Officers who are elected annually at the AGM (President, Vice-President, Honorary Treasurer and Honorary Secretary) and six elected members.
In addition, it includes the Immediate Past President, any member who is a member of the Council of the Law Society and other members co-opted by the elected Committee.
Details of the current Committee are given below. To contact the office holders of the Sussex Law Society, please email officers@sussex-law.co.uk
If you are a member interested in joining the Committee, please contact the Operations Manager, alice.wylie@sussex-law.co.uk
Who We Are
Management of the Society is by a General Committee consisting of the Officers who are elected annually at the AGM (President, Vice-President, Honorary Treasurer and Honorary Secretary) and six elected members.
Officers
Angela Arnold
Role: President
Why did you get into law?
I was drawn to law by a desire to solve problems, advocate for others, and make a meaningful difference in people’s lives, and create opportunities for those whose voices are not always heard. More visibility and representation have been important motivations throughout my career, demonstrating what is possible for future generations. Alongside advising clients through complex challenges, I am committed to community engagement and mentoring aspiring lawyers. Helping others succeed and leaving a lasting legacy of inclusion, excellence, and service continues to inspire me
Daniel Dickson
Role: Immediate Past President
Why did you get into law? I first chose to study law at BHASVIC and later at Brighton University because I became fascinated by the media coverage of various high‑profile criminal cases. I wanted to understand more about the law and how it applies to real-life situations.
I was particularly interested in the fact that law contains many grey areas that allow for different interpretations of legislation or contract clauses, meaning a case can often be argued persuasively from either side depending on your perspective.
Sally Mouhim
Role: Vice President
Why did you get into law? I was originally planning to become a horse riding instructor and do a BTEC in business studies. Then I achieved really good grades in 11 GCSE’s and was advised to change to A levels instead. Law seemed an exciting option as I had all the law dramas on TV in my mind. My amazing tutor at college made criminal law so interesting and led to me choosing to read law at University. After a mini pupillage at a criminal barrister’s chambers that I realised the reality of practising criminal law and quickly changed my mind to commercial litigation.
Oliver Maxwell-Jones
Role: Honorary Treasurer
Why did you get into law? I often reflect that, had Black Monday in 1987 not been followed by Black Wednesday in 1992, I might well have pursued a career in finance. Instead, those global events influenced my decision to remain at university and study law after completing my economics degree.
Following law school at the then newly established University of Wolverhampton, my legal career began. After qualifying with a firm in Staffordshire, I practised in the Black Country region of the Midlands before moving to Brighton in 2006, where I found my home.
Sarah O’Sullivan
Role: Honorary Secretary
Why did you get into law? I have had an interest in law from a very young age. I am passionate about empowering people in navigating the rules and language of the law, to give them as much understanding of their options as possible. I studied alongside my full-time legal career, and was lucky enough to train in several practice areas.
After finally qualifying as a Solicitor, I focused on Private Client work with a specialism in mental capacity. Under the Official Solicitor, I now represent individuals who lack mental capacity in Court of Protection proceedings.
Andrew Bishop
Role: Law Society Council Member for Sussex
Why did you get into law? I wasn’t sure what to do at degree level and, although I fancied English, I didn’t want to teach. A friend suggested law, so I trained at a commercial firm in London, specialising in corporate work. The firm also acted for the Government of Singapore in capital appeals before the House of Lords. Seeing the consequences of failed appeals sparked my fascination with criminal law, and on qualification I joined a criminal defence firm in Brighton.
Committee
Manjinder Nagra
Role: General Committee Member 2025/2026
Why did you get into law? It all started with LA Law – that gloriously glitzy and glam American legal TV drama with big hair, big shoulder pads and even bigger courtroom speeches. But it wasn’t just the glamour of 80s TV lawyers. Growing up navigating real life challenges around race, gender and social mobility made me want a career where I could stand on my own two feet and help others do the same.
Emma Weir
Role: General Committee Member (2023)
Why did you get into law? My interest in the law was sparked while watching the OJ Simpson trial that I think transfixed the World in the year of my GCSE’s and later Ally McBeal convinced me that a career in law meant dramatic monologues and musical numbers!
In seriousness I chose private client law to help guide people through life’s ultimate, emotionally charged hurdles and untangle legal webs to help protect families…just with fewer dancing babies.
Jacqueline Hardaway
Role: General Committee Member (2023)
Why did you get into law? I left school not really knowing what I wanted to do and my first job was as a secretary in a law firm in St.Leonards-on-Sea. I quickly realised that the law was incredibly interesting, forever evolving, and so wide ranging that it could capture my curiosity and enjoyment of problem solving for many years to come.
So, I embarked on the CILEX route of study, whilst working full time, and took the additional solicitor exams to be qualify as a solicitor. 30 years on, I can honestly say that I still enjoy my work immensely and am extremely proud to be a Solicitor.
Malvina Peci
Role: General Committee Member (2023)
Why did you get into law? I’ve always loved to read, apply the mind and write. As well as enjoying constantly learning something. So, law was naturally a good fit for me. It is intellectually challenging and a very rewarding profession that provides continued progression.
I also wanted to help people, by representing and standing up for those who cannot do so themselves. The aspect of being able to do good, also gives my career meaning.
Charlotte DeCecco
Role: General Committee Member (2024)
Why did you get into law? I have been interested in a legal career from a young age, drawn to problem-solving, public speaking, academics and writing. I wanted a career where I could help people and make a difference. Clients often seek legal advice during difficult and stressful times, whether dealing with family issues, domestic abuse, criminal matters or civil disputes. I value building strong client relationships and providing clear advice and guidance. And, of course, I’m a huge Legally Blonde fan!
Lucy Tarrant
Role: General Committee Member (co-opted 2023)
Why did you get into law? Just before I graduated from university, I was a witness in a criminal Trial. The CPS barrister was a young woman whom I thought was utterly brilliant and wanted to be! I never became a criminal barrister, but from that day on I was dedicated to doing right by my clients.
Sabina Cherevichenko
Role: General Committee Member 2025/ 2026
Why did you get into law? As someone who has lived in different countries, I was exposed to different cultures, legal systems and perspectives from an early age. Learning about human rights and the role law plays in protecting people and supporting democratic societies inspired me to pursue a legal career.
Outside school, I loved detective films, Russian crime documentaries and mystery games, which fuelled my curiosity and problem-solving skills. While I was torn between art and law at university, choosing law was one of the best decisions I’ve made.
Lauren Waller
Role: President Sussex Junior Lawyers Division
Why did you get into law? My greatest inspirations in life have always been my parents. My dad quite late in his life changed careers to join the police, which meant growing up I was around my dad revising for his criminal law exams and telling me all sorts of wonderful stories about his working days. I knew pretty early on that the police was not an avenue I wanted to explore but it definitely opened my eyes into wanting to work in law
Alice Wylie
Role: Operations Manager
Firm: Sussex Law Society
Why did you get into law? After working in London in Television as a Producer/Director for 12 years, I moved back to Sussex with my young family looking for a new challenge a few years ago. Prior to joining SLS my knowledge of Law was limited to John Grimshaw novels and Legally Blonde, but now I can now safely say I know my COLP from my COFA.
You’ll now find me arranging topical webinars and seminars, hosting networking events for members and keeping Sussex up to date on the legal landscape with our monthly newsletter.
