In her time spent working with clients as part of her studies, Jessikah Inabah, 24, says she feels that being blind has helped her establish a stronger rapport with some, especially those from minority backgrounds.
As she begins to think towards the future, Britain’s first blind, black, female barrister says her achievement “hasn’t quite sunk in yet”.
After five years at university, Jessikah Inabah, 24, qualified earlier in 2022 and will now be looking for a pupillage – in which newly qualified barristers get their first placement in chambers – when applications open in January 2023.
“It hasn’t quite sunk in yet,” she tells Sky News. “Once I’m actively in my pupillage phase, I hope it does.”
Originally from Lewisham in south London, Ms Inabah is known to friends and family as Jess. She says she hopes to break down barriers.
“I’m sure when people are imagining lawyers, a young black woman with a white cane isn’t what their first picture would be, but hopefully I’m able to change that type of imagery.”
Some of the UK’s largest legal organisations – including the four Inns of Court, the Bar Council and the Bar Standards Board – could not find another example of a blind and black barrister.
Jess’s battle to change those perceptions began when she was a small 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥. After spells wanting to be a singer, historian and an author, in her words she came “full circle”, deciding to study law at the age of 18.
