Founder & Principal Director
Fuzhan Abasi
With eight years of specialist experience in family and children law, Fuzhan founded Family First Lawyers on the belief that legal support should not only resolve problems but empower, protect and create meaningful change.
Educated at the University of Law, she holds an accelerated LLB and has undertaken the BPTC and postgraduate study in Family Law, bringing both academic grounding and practical depth to her work. Her expertise spans the full range of family proceedings, with a particular focus on litigants in person, domestic abuse and access to justice.
Beyond practice, Fuzhan works directly with sector partners, charities and advisory forums tackling violence against women and girls, and engages with the Home Office on policy matters affecting vulnerable families.
She is a committed mentor to aspiring lawyers from underrepresented backgrounds.
SENIOR LEADERSHIP TEAM
AMinah karim
Head Of Family First Lawyers Academy
Aminah is a Barrister (Unregistered), educated at City University of London where she holds an LLB (Hons), an LLM in Professional Legal Skills and an MPhil.
She leads the Family First Academy and training programmes at FFL, ensuring every team member receives tailored 1:1 mentoring designed to build confidence, practical skills and professional standards over time.
Alongside her role at FFL, Aminah is completing a PhD in Law, with her doctoral research focusing on the international recognition of the atrocities committed during the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971.
Sahra Ali
Founding Trustee
Sahra is a qualified Barrister of England and Wales, bringing specialist expertise in criminal law and criminal domestic abuse to her role at FFL.
She provides the team with specialised training and safeguarding awareness, ensuring everyone at FFL is equipped to identify risk, respond appropriately and handle sensitive matters with the care they demand. Her mentoring is practical, honest and rooted in real courtroom experience, giving aspiring advocates the foundation they need to progress with confidence.
Sahra champions diversity and inclusion at FFL, committed to nurturing legal professionals from non-traditional backgrounds and believing the legal sector is strengthened when it reflects the diversity of the communities it serves.
Sana Khoshnaw
Wellbeing and Support Mentor
Sana holds a Master's degree in Applied Clinical Psychology and leads FFL's wellbeing provision, supporting the mental health and resilience of everyone across the team.
Her work focuses on creating a healthy organisational culture where staff feel valued, supported and able to thrive both personally and professionally. She brings specialist clinical insight to her role, ensuring the team is equipped to manage the emotional demands of working in sensitive and complex legal matters.
Alongside her role at FFL, Sana continues to develop her expertise in applied psychology, underpinning everything she delivers with both academic grounding and genuine care for the people she supports.
Simeon Valchev
Head of Family First Lawyers Digital Service
Simeon Valchev is Head of Technology and Compliance at FFL, responsible for ensuring clients and their information remain safe and protected at every stage.
His work spans website design, digital infrastructure and client-facing systems, all built and maintained with regulatory compliance and data security at their core.
Through Family First Digital, he extends this expertise to legal and charity organisations, building tailored platforms that are functional, compliant and designed with the end user in mind.
Milad Shojaei
Direct Access Barrister
33 Bedford Row Chambers
Milad Shojaei is a qualified Barrister at 33 Bedford Row, available to FFL clients on a Direct Access basis in accordance with the Bar Standards Board Direct Access scheme.
He specialises in family and children law, regularly appearing in matters involving domestic abuse injunctions and child arrangements. Known for his calm authority and meticulous preparation, Milad navigates sensitive proceedings with both precision and empathy.
Fluent in Farsi and Turkish, Milad is a valuable resource for clients from Iranian, Persian-speaking and Turkish-speaking communities, ensuring language and cultural nuances are respected throughout.
Ela Mehmeti
Paralegal
Ela Mehmeti is a Paralegal at FFL, currently completing the Solicitors Qualifying Examination at the University of Law and working towards qualification as a solicitor.
Alongside her client support work across family and related legal matters, Ela supports FFL's work on violence against women and girls, assisting the Principal in preparing for Home Office engagement meetings aimed at driving policy change.
Fluent in Albanian, Ela brings culturally aware support to clients from diverse backgrounds and is recognised for her organised approach, strong attention to detail and calm professional manner.
Ilgi Yeter Kepez
Paralegal
Ilgi is a Paralegal at FFL, currently completing her Legal Practice Course and having secured a training contract with BG Lawyers as she works towards qualification as a solicitor.
At FFL she focuses primarily on the Access to Justice scheme and charity outreach programmes, with a particular specialism in child welfare and safeguarding. Alongside this she mentors FFL's junior paralegals, bringing dedication and first-hand experience to those coming through the programme.
Fluent in English and Turkish, Ilgi brings culturally aware support to clients from diverse backgrounds and is recognised for her compassionate and considered approach to sensitive matters.
Lithusa Suresh
Paralegal
Lithusa is a Paralegal at FFL, currently in her final year of LLB and working towards her SQE qualification.
Alongside her client support work spanning case preparation, legal research and client communication, she leads FFL's Southampton Junior Paralegal cohort, bringing structure, mentorship and professional standards to the next generation of legal professionals coming through the programme.
Fluent in Tamil, Lithusa brings culturally aware support to clients from diverse backgrounds and is recognised across the team for her empathy, reliability and clear communication.
Negar Sayfikar
Paralegal
Negar Sayfikar is a Paralegal at FFL, currently completing the Solicitors Qualifying Examination at the University of Law and working towards qualification as a solicitor.
Alongside her client support work spanning legal research, drafting and document preparation, Negar contributes to FFL's charity outreach programmes providing support for victims of domestic abuse, reflecting the organisation's commitment to accessible and compassionate legal services.
Fluent in Farsi, Negar brings culturally aware support to clients from diverse backgrounds and is recognised for her thoughtful approach and sensitivity when working with clients facing complex and emotionally challenging situations.
Oceane Lopez de munain
Paralegal
Oceane holds a law degree and is currently preparing for the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE), with a clear focus on building a career in family law.
Fluent in French and English, Oceane brings strong communication skills and a thoughtful approach to everything she does. At Family First Lawyers, she supports client care, legal research, and case preparation, working closely alongside the team to contribute meaningfully to the day to day delivery of our services.
Driven by a genuine commitment to access to justice, Oceane is developing her expertise through hands on experience and is determined to make a real difference to the clients she works with.