Our Volunteers
Over the years, we've had the pleasure of welcoming over 300 volunteers in person. Below, you'll find a selection of them along with a few testimonials.
MATILDA HÖHMANN
Legal Assistant
Matilda studied law at the University of Leipzig in Germany and is currently completing the German Referendariat while working as a legal assistant for ELIL.
Legal Assistant
Matilda studied law at the University of Leipzig in Germany and is currently completing the German Referendariat while working as a legal assistant for ELIL.
ROSIE KERN
Legal Assistant
Rosie completed her law degree in Munich and successfully completed her legal traineeship (Referendariat). Her passion for working with ELIL stems from her desire to help those whose needs and rights are often overlooked.
Legal Assistant
Rosie completed her law degree in Munich and successfully completed her legal traineeship (Referendariat). Her passion for working with ELIL stems from her desire to help those whose needs and rights are often overlooked.
GIANNA SEGLIAS
Legal Assistant
'Volunteering with ELIL has been a challenging but very rewarding experience that has completely changed my perspective on legal work. It has been a privilege to work alongside – and learn from – such a dedicated team.'
Legal Assistant
'Volunteering with ELIL has been a challenging but very rewarding experience that has completely changed my perspective on legal work. It has been a privilege to work alongside – and learn from – such a dedicated team.'
SARAH FARRELLY
Secondee
'No day is the same and the flexibility and patience demonstrated by the team have been very inspiring to see.'
Secondee
'No day is the same and the flexibility and patience demonstrated by the team have been very inspiring to see.'
ANNE-SOPHIE OBERREINER
Secondee
'I really felt like part of the team during my secondment.heir work is crucial and it is important to show asylum seekers active listening and compassion.'
Secondee
'I really felt like part of the team during my secondment.heir work is crucial and it is important to show asylum seekers active listening and compassion.'
STEFANIA NEGLIA
Legal Assistant
Stefania has a background in international, European and comparative law. She is passionate about community based approach to integration. She has been working with refugees and migrants since 2015.
Legal Assistant
Stefania has a background in international, European and comparative law. She is passionate about community based approach to integration. She has been working with refugees and migrants since 2015.
BLÁITHÍN QUIGLEY
Legal Assistant
Bláithín has previously interned with the Irish Refugee Council and has a background in Public International Law and English language teaching. She advocates to provide unrestricted access to legal services.
Legal Assistant
Bláithín has previously interned with the Irish Refugee Council and has a background in Public International Law and English language teaching. She advocates to provide unrestricted access to legal services.
SOPHIE LEVACK
Asylum Lawyer
Sophie is a qualified solicitor in England and Wales. She is currently undertaking an LLM in Public International Law with a focus on International Refugee Law and Human Rights.
Asylum Lawyer
Sophie is a qualified solicitor in England and Wales. She is currently undertaking an LLM in Public International Law with a focus on International Refugee Law and Human Rights.
AIDA SAMANI
Legal Assistant
Aida has a Master in Law from Sweden with a specialisation in International Migration Law and Human Rights Law. She has previously collaborated with the human rights organisation Civil Rights Defenders.
Legal Assistant
Aida has a Master in Law from Sweden with a specialisation in International Migration Law and Human Rights Law. She has previously collaborated with the human rights organisation Civil Rights Defenders.
We would like to show all +200 faces of our volunteers, but that would be a long list...
A warm
Thanks!
from ELIL
ALEXANDRA BOROWSKI
Asylum Lawyer
Alexandra Borowski is registered with the Liege Bar Association (Belgium). At home she works as a lawyer in asylum, family and insolvency law. She has been working as an asylum lawyer for four years.
Asylum Lawyer
Alexandra Borowski is registered with the Liege Bar Association (Belgium). At home she works as a lawyer in asylum, family and insolvency law. She has been working as an asylum lawyer for four years.
"
Volunteering with ELIL made me realise the enormous need of those in Moria for somewhere they can go to ask questions, be listened to with respect and receive essential advice and assistanceAnnette
BRANISLAVA ISAILOVIC
Asylum Lawyer
Branislava Isailovic is registered with the Paris Bar Association. She works as a lawyer in asylum law and human rights law at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia and the European Court for Human Rights.
Asylum Lawyer
Branislava Isailovic is registered with the Paris Bar Association. She works as a lawyer in asylum law and human rights law at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia and the European Court for Human Rights.
BRENDA EFURHIEVWE
Asylum Lawyer
"Nothing compares to the feeling of being able to explain someone's rights to them; to fortify them in their belief in their right to have their story heard"
Asylum Lawyer
"Nothing compares to the feeling of being able to explain someone's rights to them; to fortify them in their belief in their right to have their story heard"
FRAN MORENILLA BELIZON
Asylum Lawyer
Fran Morenilla Belizon is registered with the Almeria Bar Association in Spain. He works as an asylum lawyer for the Spanish Red Cross.
Asylum Lawyer
Fran Morenilla Belizon is registered with the Almeria Bar Association in Spain. He works as an asylum lawyer for the Spanish Red Cross.
JARED FICKLIN
Asylum Lawyer
Jared Ficklin is registered with the Bar Council of England and Wales. He works as an asylum lawyer and is the director of the Refugee Law Clinic of the University in Liverpool. He has been working in asylum law since 2004.
Asylum Lawyer
Jared Ficklin is registered with the Bar Council of England and Wales. He works as an asylum lawyer and is the director of the Refugee Law Clinic of the University in Liverpool. He has been working in asylum law since 2004.
"
Volunteering with ELIL made me aware of the responsibility that legal professionals carry: to offer assistance to those who do not know their rights. Marika
KATHARINA VON SCHACK
Legal Assistant
Katharina von Schack studied law in Germany and has a Master in Refugee and Migration Law. She has previoulsly collaborated with Amnesty International.
Legal Assistant
Katharina von Schack studied law in Germany and has a Master in Refugee and Migration Law. She has previoulsly collaborated with Amnesty International.
"
It has been great to experience the common language of respect for human dignity, the pursuit of justice and belief in human rights with my colleagues from other European countries.Theresa
KRISTINA RATZ
Asylum Lawyer
Kristina Ratz is registered with the Frankfurt/Main Bar Association (Germany). At home, she works as a lawyer in migration and asylum law. She has been working in the field of asylum law since 2012.
Asylum Lawyer
Kristina Ratz is registered with the Frankfurt/Main Bar Association (Germany). At home, she works as a lawyer in migration and asylum law. She has been working in the field of asylum law since 2012.
"
It never ceases to amaze me that there are always capable, willing and friendly people to work with. And of course that is the best work -when you really can helpMartina
MARTINA LAGE
Asylum Lawyer
Martina is registered with the Hamburg Bar Association. She has been working in the field of asylum law since 2016.
Asylum Lawyer
Martina is registered with the Hamburg Bar Association. She has been working in the field of asylum law since 2016.
MAXIME CLERY MELIN
Asylum Lawyer
Maxime Cléry-Melin is registered with the Paris Bar Association. At home, he works as a lawyer in criminal law, commercial litigation and asylum law. He has been working as an asylum lawyer for three years.
Asylum Lawyer
Maxime Cléry-Melin is registered with the Paris Bar Association. At home, he works as a lawyer in criminal law, commercial litigation and asylum law. He has been working as an asylum lawyer for three years.
MIGUEL GARRE MURCIA
Asylum Lawyer
Miguel Garre Murcia is registered with the Granada, Malaga and Paris Bar Associations. His expertise lies within contract, intellectual property and asylum law.
Asylum Lawyer
Miguel Garre Murcia is registered with the Granada, Malaga and Paris Bar Associations. His expertise lies within contract, intellectual property and asylum law.
PAT MUNRO
Asylum Lawyer
Pat Monro is registered with the Law Society of England and Wales. She works as a lawyer for Refugee Action Kingston. She is an expert in migration law.
Asylum Lawyer
Pat Monro is registered with the Law Society of England and Wales. She works as a lawyer for Refugee Action Kingston. She is an expert in migration law.
"
I believe the team working in Lesvos is doing an exceptional job. I was always greeted with positivity, I only wish I could have stayed longerMiranda
PRISQUE NAVIN
Asylum Lawyer
Prisque Navin is registered with the Bar Association of Guadeloupe, Saint Martin and Saint Barthélémy. She works as a lawyer in civil law, criminal law, asylum law and residence law.
Asylum Lawyer
Prisque Navin is registered with the Bar Association of Guadeloupe, Saint Martin and Saint Barthélémy. She works as a lawyer in civil law, criminal law, asylum law and residence law.
"
Whether or not an application for asylum will be successful will depend to a large extent on the first instance interview, which makes ELIL’s work indispensable.Sancho
SANCHO COENEN
Asylum Lawyer
Sancho Coenen is registered with the Netherlands Bar Association. At home he works as a lawyer in asylum law and criminal law. He has been working as an asylum lawyer for 18 years.
Asylum Lawyer
Sancho Coenen is registered with the Netherlands Bar Association. At home he works as a lawyer in asylum law and criminal law. He has been working as an asylum lawyer for 18 years.
