Fuzhan Abasi
Principal Director
As the Founder of Family First Lawyers, I am driven by a clear mission: to transform the way individuals and families access justice. Our organisation redefines modern legal support by offering innovative, affordable, and client-focused services across unreserved family law matters, while collaborating with an SRA-regulated law firm where reserved work is required.
With extensive experience in family law and advocacy, I bring both compassion and determination to every case, helping clients navigate some of the most complex and sensitive challenges of their lives. Alongside leading Family First Lawyers, I also serve within the UK Cabinet Office, where my work in legal review, disclosure, and public policy provides me with unique insight into the justice system and strengthens my ability to advocate for lasting change.
Beyond practice, I am committed to shaping a fairer future. I sit on the Home Office Panel for Violence Against Women and Girls, actively supporting charities and driving forward meaningful policy reform. Mentorship is at the heart of my vision: I am passionate about empowering aspiring lawyers, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, by equipping them with the skills, confidence, and opportunities to thrive.
At Family First Lawyers, I am proud to lead a dynamic team who share this commitment to excellence and innovation. Together, we aim not only to deliver outstanding results for our clients, but to disrupt outdated systems, champion equality, and redefine what family law can achieve.
SENIOR LEADERSHIP TEAM
Saidy Bah
Sana Khoshnaw
Sana Khoshnaw
Head of Strategy and Impact
Saidy Bah is Family First Lawyers’ Head of Strategy, guiding our organisation’s development with a focus on impact and sustainability. Alongside her role at FFL, Saidy works full-time as a Senior Delivery Consultant at McKinsey & Company, where she supports leading organisations with strategic delivery and trans
Head of Strategy and Impact
Saidy Bah is Family First Lawyers’ Head of Strategy, guiding our organisation’s development with a focus on impact and sustainability. Alongside her role at FFL, Saidy works full-time as a Senior Delivery Consultant at McKinsey & Company, where she supports leading organisations with strategic delivery and transformation.
At FFL, Saidy uses this expertise to strengthen the way we serve our clients, particularly charities, community organisations, and referral partners. Her insight ensures that our services remain effective, accessible, and aligned with the evolving needs of those we support.
Sana Khoshnaw
Sana Khoshnaw
Sana Khoshnaw
Head of Staff Wellbeing and Support
Sana Khoshnaw is Family First Lawyers’ Head of Staff Wellbeing and Support, leading our commitment to staff care and organisational culture. She holds a Master’s in Applied Clinical Psychology and brings extensive counselling experience, equipping her with the skills to promote resilience, wellbeing, and
Head of Staff Wellbeing and Support
Sana Khoshnaw is Family First Lawyers’ Head of Staff Wellbeing and Support, leading our commitment to staff care and organisational culture. She holds a Master’s in Applied Clinical Psychology and brings extensive counselling experience, equipping her with the skills to promote resilience, wellbeing, and professional growth across the team.
Sana is dedicated to fostering an environment where every member of staff feels supported and valued. She plays a central role in embedding equality, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of our organisation, ensuring that Family First Lawyers remains a place where people can thrive both personally and professionally.
Aminah Karim
Sana Khoshnaw
Aminah Karim
Head Of Legal Training
Aminah Karim is a Barrister (Unregistered) and Head of Legal Training at FFL, where she leads the firm’s training programmes. Her work is centred on personalised development, ensuring that every member of the team receives tailored 1:1 support, mentoring, and training to build confidence, practical skills, and profes
Head Of Legal Training
Aminah Karim is a Barrister (Unregistered) and Head of Legal Training at FFL, where she leads the firm’s training programmes. Her work is centred on personalised development, ensuring that every member of the team receives tailored 1:1 support, mentoring, and training to build confidence, practical skills, and professional standards. She brings extensive experience teaching on the LPC, SQE, and the Bar, as well as over five years as a Senior Lecturer in Law. Aminah has worked closely with students and aspiring practitioners across the UK, providing individual guidance to prepare them for both academic achievement and qualification as lawyers. Alongside her professional role, Aminah is completing a PhD in Law, CILEX qualification and holds several master’s and postgraduate qualifications.
Simeon Valchev
Simeon Valchev
Simeon Valchev
Head of Digital Strategy and Transformation
Simeon is Family First Lawyers’ Director of Legal Technology and Innovation, responsible for designing and integrating technology solutions that enhance the way we deliver legal services. With expertise in advanced legal tech platforms and case management systems, he ensures our organisation oper
Head of Digital Strategy and Transformation
Simeon is Family First Lawyers’ Director of Legal Technology and Innovation, responsible for designing and integrating technology solutions that enhance the way we deliver legal services. With expertise in advanced legal tech platforms and case management systems, he ensures our organisation operates with efficiency, security, and innovation at its core.
He leads on IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, and workflow optimisation, strengthening the tools and systems that support our legal and administrative teams. By aligning technology with strategy, Simeon enables Family First Lawyers to remain forward-thinking and adaptable, ensuring that our focus stays on what matters most: putting families first.
Sahra Ali
Simeon Valchev
Simeon Valchev
Trustee
Sahra is a qualified Barrister of England and Wales. She serves as a trustee member at our company, bringing a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to supporting families in need. With a background in Criminal and Family Law, she plays a vital role in ensuring that our services align with the best interests of our clients.
Trustee
Sahra is a qualified Barrister of England and Wales. She serves as a trustee member at our company, bringing a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to supporting families in need. With a background in Criminal and Family Law, she plays a vital role in ensuring that our services align with the best interests of our clients. Sahra is passionate about advocating for family welfare and works diligently to uphold the values of compassion and integrity within our organisation.
Aminah Karim
Simeon Valchev
Aminah Karim
Head Of Legal Training
Aminah Karim is a Barrister (Unregistered) and Head of Legal Training at FFL, where she leads the firm’s training programmes. Her work is centred on personalised development, ensuring that every member of the team receives tailored 1:1 support, mentoring, and training to build confidence, practical skills, and profes
Head Of Legal Training
Aminah Karim is a Barrister (Unregistered) and Head of Legal Training at FFL, where she leads the firm’s training programmes. Her work is centred on personalised development, ensuring that every member of the team receives tailored 1:1 support, mentoring, and training to build confidence, practical skills, and professional standards. She brings extensive experience teaching on the LPC, SQE, and the Bar, as well as over five years as a Senior Lecturer in Law. Aminah has worked closely with students and aspiring practitioners across the UK, providing individual guidance to prepare them for both academic achievement and qualification as lawyers. Alongside her professional role, Aminah is completing a PhD in Law, CILEX qualification and holds several master’s and postgraduate qualifications.
Jamahl Franklin
Ilgi Yeter Kepez
Ilgi Yeter Kepez
Paralegal
Jamahl is an aspiring solicitor who plans to complete his SQE. He has a strong background in both family law and criminal law, with a deep understanding of the complexities involved in these areas.
Jamahl plays a key role in mentoring our junior paralegals. He guides them on how to apply for opportunities within the Civil Servi
Paralegal
Jamahl is an aspiring solicitor who plans to complete his SQE. He has a strong background in both family law and criminal law, with a deep understanding of the complexities involved in these areas.
Jamahl plays a key role in mentoring our junior paralegals. He guides them on how to apply for opportunities within the Civil Service and the wider legal profession, helping to shape their career paths and supporting the next generation of legal professionals.
Ilgi Yeter Kepez
Ilgi Yeter Kepez
Ilgi Yeter Kepez
Paralegal
Ilgi is an aspiring family law solicitor currently completing her Legal Practice Course (LPC). With extensive experience in managing sensitive matters and a strong focus on client care, she is dedicated to providing compassionate and effective legal support. Fluent in both English and Turkish, Ilgi is well equipped to communicat
Paralegal
Ilgi is an aspiring family law solicitor currently completing her Legal Practice Course (LPC). With extensive experience in managing sensitive matters and a strong focus on client care, she is dedicated to providing compassionate and effective legal support. Fluent in both English and Turkish, Ilgi is well equipped to communicate with a diverse range of clients, ensuring their needs are fully understood.
In addition to her client work, Ilgi also mentors our junior paralegals, offering guidance and support as they develop their skills and explore future opportunities within the legal profession.and met.
Ilyana Nishat
Ilgi Yeter Kepez
Ilyana Nishat
Paralegal
Ilyana is a dedicated Paralegal who has completed her LLB and is eager to develop her career as a legal advocate. She brings excellent communication skills and a strong ability to support clients with professionalism and care. Known for her hardworking approach, Ilyana consistently delivers high-quality legal assistance and is c
Paralegal
Ilyana is a dedicated Paralegal who has completed her LLB and is eager to develop her career as a legal advocate. She brings excellent communication skills and a strong ability to support clients with professionalism and care. Known for her hardworking approach, Ilyana consistently delivers high-quality legal assistance and is committed to advancing her expertise within the legal profession. She plans to pursue the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) as the next step in her journey toward becoming a qualified solicitor.
Negar Sayfikar
Negar Sayfikar
Negar Sayfikar
Paralegal
Negar is a dedicated Paralegal who completed her LLB and has a clear ambition to qualify as a family law solicitor. She is currently preparing to undertake the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) to progress her career.
Fluent in Farsi, Negar offers compassionate, culturally sensitive support to clients while ensuring precis
Paralegal
Negar is a dedicated Paralegal who completed her LLB and has a clear ambition to qualify as a family law solicitor. She is currently preparing to undertake the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) to progress her career.
Fluent in Farsi, Negar offers compassionate, culturally sensitive support to clients while ensuring precision and professionalism in every case she handles. Alongside her legal work, she mentors our junior paralegals, guiding their development and helping to shape the next generation of legal professionals.
Ela Mehmeti
Negar Sayfikar
Negar Sayfikar
Paralegal
Ela is a driven and detail-oriented Paralegal who completed her LLB and has a clear passion for family law. She plans to sit the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) as the next step in her career, with a strong focus on advancing in the field and making a meaningful impact.
Fluent in Albanian, Ela provides empathetic and acc
Paralegal
Ela is a driven and detail-oriented Paralegal who completed her LLB and has a clear passion for family law. She plans to sit the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) as the next step in her career, with a strong focus on advancing in the field and making a meaningful impact.
Fluent in Albanian, Ela provides empathetic and accessible support to a wide range of clients, ensuring they feel understood and confident throughout the legal process. Known for her professionalism, sharp eye for detail, and dedication, she consistently delivers high-quality assistance. Alongside her legal work, Ela mentors our junior paralegals, helping to guide their development and build the next generation of legal professionals.
Mahta Khazaei
Negar Sayfikar
Mahta Khazaei
Paralegal
Mahta is a committed and capable Paralegal who completed her LLB and aspires to qualify as a family law solicitor. She is preparing to undertake the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) as she continues to progress in her legal career.
Fluent in Farsi, Mahta provides clear, supportive, and culturally sensitive guidance to clie
Paralegal
Mahta is a committed and capable Paralegal who completed her LLB and aspires to qualify as a family law solicitor. She is preparing to undertake the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) as she continues to progress in her legal career.
Fluent in Farsi, Mahta provides clear, supportive, and culturally sensitive guidance to clients from diverse backgrounds. Known for her professionalism, meticulous attention to detail, and calm, reliable approach, she consistently delivers high-quality legal support. In addition to her casework, Mahta mentors our junior paralegals, supporting their growth and ensuring they gain valuable skills and confidence within the legal profession.
Lithusa Suresh
Lithusa Suresh
Lithusa Suresh
Junior Paralegal
Lithusa is currently undertaking a gap year during her law degree and has joined Family First Lawyers to gain valuable practical legal experience. She supports the team across a range of matters, assisting with client care, legal research, and case preparation. Lithusa is passionate about family law and is developing her skills by working closely with our senior paralegals.
Oceane Lopez
Lithusa Suresh
Lithusa Suresh
Junior Paralegal
Oceane has recently completed her law degree and is now preparing for the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). At Family First Lawyers, she plays an active role in supporting the team with client care, legal research, and case preparation. With a strong interest in family law, Oceane is dedicated to building her exper
Junior Paralegal
Oceane has recently completed her law degree and is now preparing for the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). At Family First Lawyers, she plays an active role in supporting the team with client care, legal research, and case preparation. With a strong interest in family law, Oceane is dedicated to building her expertise and gaining practical experience as she works closely alongside our senior paralegals.