We are delighted to announce that Sonali Naik KC, Maha Sardar, Thalia Maragh, Elena Papamichael and Rosa Thomas have been nominated across four categories.
The Women & Diversity in Law Awards recognise outstanding women leaders and practitioners as well as diversity more broadly, highlighting initiatives aimed at improving workplace culture and equal opportunities and making the profession more reflective of the society it serves.
Garden Court Chambers has been nominated in four categories:
- Woman of the Year: Sonali Naik KC
- Advocate of the Year: Maha Sardar
- Diversity Champion of the Year – Barrister: Thalia Maragh
- Rising Star – Barrister: Elena Papamichael and Rosa Thomas
Sonali Naik KC: Woman of the Year
Sonali is Joint Head of Garden Court Chambers. She specialises in public law and in all aspects of immigration, asylum and nationality. Sonali is a senior practitioner with over 30 years’ experience. She was appointed King’s Counsel in 2018 as a BME woman (and one of only around 1% of all such appointees in independent practice). She was elected as a Bencher of Middle Temple in 2021. During her tenure as Joint Head of Chambers, Sonali has helped Chambers to embody our multidisciplinary commitment to diversity, human rights, access to justice, and excellence in advocacy. Her work has helped to shape and develop the law, often through strategic litigation challenging Home Office immigration policy. Most of her clients are from BAME communities. Many of Sonali’s cases concern very vulnerable clients including asylum-seeking children and victims of rape and torture.
Maha Sardar: Advocate of the Year
Maha has been working in the field of immigration, asylum and human rights for almost two decades. Her particular focus is on supporting vulnerable individuals, including refugees, unaccompanied minors, and survivors of torture and human trafficking. She is dedicated to providing compassionate and thoughtful representation to a diverse group of clients, guided by a strong commitment to justice and care. She is passionate about the protection and representation of victims of torture, unaccompanied minors and cases concerning FGM and trafficking.
Thalia Maragh: Diversity Champion of the Year – Barrister
Thalia practice at the English Bar has been predominantly defending in serious crimes and acting for bereaved families in Article 2 inquests. Thalia is a black female barrister who was the first in her family to attend university. In her international practice she is passionate about empowering citizens to hold governments to account for rights violations. Thalia is Assistant Coroner for Inner Southern District of London alongside her full-time practice. Thalia acts for bereaved families in Article 2 inquests and is a leading junior in Inquests and Public Inquiries. Thalia was a member of the JUSTICE working party on public inquiries. She was a recipient of a LALY Award in 2016 for representation of families affected by Hillsborough.
Elena Papamichael: Rising Star – Barrister
Elena is a criminal defence barrister often instructed in serious, complex, document-heavy and multi-handed trials. Social justice and racial equality are at the heart of Elena’s work and she has written several articles on topics such as racism, youth justice, protest rights and drill music. Elena is a specialist in representing children in the Crown Court and has expertise in successfully challenging evidence, including so-called ‘gang’ evidence, drill music, and cell site. Elena has also spoken out about jury equity and the importance of juries to the legitimacy of the criminal justice system. She is a member of the Criminal Appeal Lawyers Association which promotes better representation for those seeking to appeal their convictions and sentences.
Rosa Thomas: Rising Star – Barrister
Rosa joined Garden Court in September 2025 and has a multi-disciplinary practice that includes education, discrimination, employment, and workers’ rights law. This is informed by her specialist pupillage, completed in April 2024, in education and employment law. Rosa regularly represents parents and young people in the First-tier Tribunal. She has considerable experience in disability discrimination matters and appeals relating to Education, Health and Care Plans, particularly appeals concerning complex EOTIS packages and long transitions back into education settings. Rosa has appeared in significant judicial review challenges concerning school exclusions, such as R (HVF) v Lift Schools [2026] EWHC 2088 (Admin).
Garden Court had great success at the 2026 edition of the Awards. Amanda Meusz took home the Mentor of the Year award, whilst Kate Aubrey-Johnson OBE and Audrey Cherryl Mogan came Highly Commended in their respective categories.
The 2027 edition will take place at the London Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square on 20 April. Click here to view the full list of nominees.
