We're delighted to have a global community of over 100,000 alumni across 155 countries. Our thriving London-based campuses at Bloomsbury and Moorgate have led to a huge network of contacts and, as a result, a large number of our alumni are based in the UK capital. To reinforce professional and personal connections within this community, we're happy to introduce our London Alumni Network (LAN).
Written by Editorial Team. Published 22 June 2022. Last updated 10 August 2026.
The University’s LAN was set up by a dedicated committee of alumni with the mission to strengthen bonds of both fellowship and collaboration among its members through various upcoming events. The committee includes a diverse group of our alumni with varying roles. The committee is made up of:
Rebecca St. Requier – Chair
Rebecca completed her at our Moorgate campus, funded by a Diversity Bursary. She describes herself as a career changer, having run a small business in California in her twenties organising music events across the States. After transitioning to law, she has worked on the legal aspects of trading instruments (most recently in a VP role) within the financial sector, mainly on the sell side but she has had some buy side experience. In her spare time Rebecca collaborates on a Philosophy Society with some of her former work colleagues.
Michael Matthews – Chair
Michael joined Coward Chance as an articled clerk in October 1963 and qualified in March 1966. He remained with Coward Chance, becoming a partner in January 1971. Initially he had a fairly broad commercial practice but over time it became more and more concentrated on banking and finance.
He was directly involved in the negotiations which resulted in the merger of Coward Chance and Clifford-Turner in May 1987, resulting in Clifford Chance, then the largest law firm in the City of London. He retired from Clifford Chance at the end of July 2000.
He chaired the committee of the City of London Law Society from January 1992 to December 1994 and was a member of the Council of the Law Society from 1995 to 2004, holding the office of President in 1998/99. He was Master of the Worshipful Company of Solicitors of the City of London in 1999/2000.
He was a Trustee of the National Justice Museum from 2008 to 2024.
Vanessa Commodore – Co-Deputy Chair
Vanessa completed her LLB in Law at Birkbeck in 2016 and completed her LPC LLM with us in 2019. She currently works as a compliance analyst for OFGEM. Previously she was working at the Insolvency Service, working on behalf of the Official Receiver dealing with bankruptcy and liquidation cases.
She has spent most of her working life contracting within Local Authority, NHS and Private Firms. Vanessa also has a lot of commercial awareness and regulatory liaison experience due to her years in Compliance with the FCA and Bank of England. She is currently studying to be a Level 4 Fitness Instructor in her spare time too, as she is passionate about helping others with their fitness goals.
James Tapley – Co-Deputy Chair
James completed his LPC with the University of Law. He has worked in private practice and in-house, with a focus on financial services. He is a solicitor with expertise across derivatives and capital markets, regulatory and commercial work. James also has a wealth of experience leading on product growth, digital transformation and multi-jurisdiction expansion projects. He works as a lawyer at an investment bank and is a board advisor to companies looking to grow and expand.
Maria Joannou – Communications Officer
Maria Joannou is a lawyer specialising in data protection, privacy and AI. Outside work, she volunteers with charities like Shelter and explores her creative side through acting and improv.
Pietro Misti – Communications Officer
Pietro is a Senior Paralegal in the Housing Litigation team at Capsticks, with experience advising on a broad range of housing disputes and contentious matters. Having developed a strong foundation in litigation practice, he will commence a TC with the firm in 2027, continuing his progression towards qualification as a solicitor.
A graduate of the University of Law, Pietro completed the LPC LLM in 2024, having previously obtained an undergraduate degree from the University of Bristol.
With an Italian background, Pietro brings an international perspective alongside a pragmatic and collaborative approach to legal practice, combining academic achievement with hands-on experience.
Natasha Treohan – Membership Officer
Natasha completed an undergraduate degree in business administration and then studied the GDL with us in 2017. After her GDL she worked in three high-street law firms focusing on areas of law including criminal law, family law, wills and probate, commercial property, housing law, immigration and asylum. She is currently working at Dexters.
Islam Khan – Membership Officer
Islam Khan is an alumnus of the University of Law, where he completed his undergraduate degree in Law. He is currently studying for an LLM in Legal Practice with the College of Legal Practice alongside preparing for the SQE1 and SQE2 examinations.
Alongside his legal studies, Islam works as a Sales Manager within BT Group’s telecommunications division, where he focuses on training and developing sales executives.
Islam is working towards a career in law, combining his legal education with professional experience in management, communication and training.
Jenny Suprani – Events Officer
Jenny has a civil law background gained with a law degree from Bologna University and subsequently completed the GDL and LPC with us. Jenny works in the energy industry and is currently part of the Legal and Business Affairs department at Eni UK Limited. She has supported major M&A transactions and works closely with senior management and board members. Jenny has extensive experience in general corporate and company law and corporate governance, risk and compliance, focusing on the UK and Sub-Saharan Africa. Jenny started her career as a legal assistant in the international real estate practice of a law firm (Italian desk) and she also volunteered at a legal clinic in London.
Yasmine Minkara – Secretary
Yasmine holds a B.A. in Political Studies from the American University of Beirut, an LLB from Queen Mary University and an LLM in Legal Practice from the University of Law. Currently, she works at a wealth management company where she works on legal and corporate governance matters.
Our incredible LAN committee will be working closely with university staff to plan and introduce a series of events soon. We hope this network becomes a thriving group with members who support each other and enhance the opportunities of all involved.
If you want to keep updated with news and events, head to the .
