

Nominated by Virginia Cannon, AWS London Vice Chair 2019-2020
I am nominating Alexandra Marks as a Role Model for AWSL as I believe she is an outstanding example of what lawyers can achieve in the modern world, whilst remaining thoroughly rounded people and without sacrificing their humanity. She has combined a very successful professional and judicial career with leading the Solicitors’ Company and the City of London Law Society, carrying out law reform and human rights work, and encouraging others in the profession, all threaded through with her engaging nature, sense of humour, drive, dignity and femininity.
Brief details of her career are as follows. Alexandra Marks qualified as a solicitor in 1983, and was an equity partner at Linklaters (1990-2003). She now sits as a Deputy High Court Judge, Recorder and First Tier Tribunal Judge. She was recently appointed by the Minister for Universities as the Independent Statutory Reviewer of Access & Participation Plans for the Office for Students.
She was a Judicial Appointments Commissioner for six years until January 2018, and a Commissioner at the Criminal Cases Review Commission (investigating potential miscarriages of justice) for five years until October 2018.
In 2008-09, she was Master of the Worshipful Company of Solicitors of the City of London, and President of the City of London Law Society.
Alexandra is now Chair of CEDR (the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution), a Council member of JUSTICE (the law reform and human rights organisation) and a trustee of LawCare (the mental health and wellbeing charity for the legal professions and judiciary). Formerly, she chaired Amnesty International Charity Limited; JUSTICE’s Executive Board; the Law Society’s Law Reform Board; and Prisoners’ Education Trust.