In this Q&A, we introduce the ILBF community to Justin Lemeh, our new Shipping Coordinator. Justin is a law student at the University of Surrey, currently on his placement. He has taken the role of ILBF’s Shipping Coordinator for the remainder of the academic year.
Can you tell us a little about yourself?
My name is Justin Lemeh and I am currently on placement during the third year of my Law LLB course at the University of Surrey. I have a mixed background, as I was born in Slovakia and I am also Cameroonian. However, I moved to South East London at a young age, where I spent my teenage years. Prior to attending university, I was the Canterbury Representative on the Kent Youth County Council, a position that I thoroughly campaigned for and formed a strong sense of fulfilment from, which I attribute to the voluntary nature of the role.
When and how did you become involved with ILBF?
I came across ILBF during my search for a placement opportunity that would equip me with the professional skills required to pursue a legal career. I was invited to interview with both Katrina and the Clifford Chance team, where I got the chance to learn a little more about the vacancy. After I was selected for the role, I was greeted with warm welcomes from several trustees and associates of the ILBF—which to me speaks volumes about the charity’s culture.
What does your role as Shipping Coordinator involve?
The role of Shipping Coordinator includes: keeping the shipping data spreadsheet up to date with the most recent shipment details (in my case re-vamping the spreadsheet by re-organising the shipping data); liaising with relevant contacts and universities to organise the donation, packing and collection of legal materials; conducting due diligence on potential applicants and reviewing applications for books; and most importantly, working as a team with all those involved in ensuring all stages of the shipment from donation to arrival run as smoothly as possible.
What do you enjoy most about working with ILBF and look forward to in your role?
What I enjoy most about this role is the independence I have in carrying out my duties. I appreciate the responsibility that has been given to me and the trust the team has in my ability to carry them out. The thing I look forward to the most is using this position to expand my network, meeting new people and gathering additional experience opportunities to make the most of my placement.
What does ILBF’s mission mean to you?
I am humbled to have the opportunity to be a part of the distribution of legal materials to help facilitate the development of legal literacy on a global scale. I firmly believe in the idea that we should do anything in our power to tackle barriers to knowledge and ILBF plays an essential role in actualising this.
What are your future plans and goals?
Personally, I prefer to split my future plans into two categories: short-term (next 5 years) and long-term (the 5 years after my short term). Currently, my short-term plans are professional development by means of experience and network growth, with the short-term goal of securing a training contract at a firm (I am particularly interested in Commercial and Land law). My long-term plans revolve around the general goal of developing a real-estate portfolio in order to build generational wealth, a luxury I would love to afford to those who come after me.
What is your favourite book?
My favourite book thus far would be “The 48 Laws of Power” by Robert Greene. This book provides a rather cynical, perhaps extreme, outlook on inter-personal interactions in the pursuit of power. There is a particular focus on concepts such as deception and manipulation, but it also draws lessons from the relationships between historical figures and those they wished to control—quite a controversial read, but captivating nonetheless.
We are delighted to welcome Justin to the ILBF team. For shipping queries, Justin can be contacted by emailing ilbfshipping@gmail.com.
