Jelani commenced pupillage at Gatehouse Chambers in October 2026.
Jelani is particularly interested in commercial dispute resolution and enjoys analysing complex factual and commercial issues. He is also interested in insolvency and restructuring, international arbitration, cross-border disputes, and insurance and reinsurance.
Alongside a commercial practice, Jelani is keen to develop experience in private client work, particularly wills, probate and trusts.
Jelani read Jurisprudence at Wadham College, University of Oxford, graduating with a BA, before completing the Bar Practice Course at the Inns of Court College of Advocacy, where he was awarded a PGDip in Bar Practice.
During his studies, Jelani was awarded the Lord Denning Scholarship by Lincoln's Inn and received Wadham College's Exhibitioner Scholarship in two consecutive years. He was also recognised by Powerful Media and Latham & Watkins as one of the UK's Most Outstanding African and African Caribbean Students and New Graduates, and was nominated for an MBE for services to social mobility and widening access to education and the legal profession.
Jelani has been passionate advocate for social mobility and widening access to education and the legal profession. He served as COO and Trustee of State2Bar, a charity which sought to widen access to the Bar through education, mentoring and research initiatives. During his tenure, he helped develop the organisation’s governance, recruit and manage volunteers and trustees, and establish collaborations with organisations including The Honourable Society of Gray’s Inn, Bridging the Bar and Young Citizens.
Jelani also co-founded Bridge the Gap, a social mobility charity which supports state-schooled students seeking to apply to the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, and served as Vice President and Trustee. He oversaw the work of 40 tutors supporting students across the country and helped the organisation achieve 100% retention of participating schools, 12 Oxbridge offers, and dozens of Russell Group places in its second year.
His commitment to widening access extends to his work with the University of Oxford, where he served as a Linklaters Oxford Law Access Ambassador, supporting outreach to prospective applicants from underrepresented backgrounds. He has delivered Q&A sessions and application guidance to prospective students and has continued to support students informally with university and Bar applications.
Qualifications
University of Oxford: BA Jurisprudence (2:1), Wadham College
Inns of Court College of Advocacy: PGDip in Bar Practice (Merit)
Honours and awards
The Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn: Lord Denning Scholarship
Wadham College, University of Oxford: Exhibitioner Scholarship (awarded twice, consecutive years)
Powerful Media, Latham & Watkins: One of the UK’s Most Outstanding African & African Caribbean Students and New Graduates
Nominated for an MBE for services to social mobility and widening access to education and the legal profession
Future Leaders Publication 2023 (named among 150 of the UK’s most outstanding university students. The publication highlights talented students of African and African Caribbean heritage and aims to inspire aspiration and achievement among young people).
Contact the team at enquiries@gatehouselaw.co.uk or get in touch with one of our Practice Managers.