Leading with purpose: Nadia Aboushokka reflects on her year as LawSoc President

From visa delays to visionary leadership, Nadia Aboushokka built community, reformed student engagement, and left a legacy as 2024/25 President of the University of Leeds Law Society.

Finding belonging from day one 

For Nadia Aboushokka, joining the University of Leeds Law Society (LawSoc) wasn’t just a choice – it was a lifeline. “As an international student, I encountered several visa delays that caused me to miss Freshers’ Week and the initial weeks of university,” she recalls. “Nevertheless, I was determined to find a community where I could form friendships and foster a sense of belonging.” 

Before even arriving in Leeds, Nadia purchased her LawSoc membership. On her first day in the city, she attended the Buddies Social—an event that would shape her university experience. “I met individuals who have since become some of my closest friends.” 

Her early involvement led her to run for Vice President, a role that allowed her to connect with both employers and the wider law school community. “Running for President the following year was a natural progression.” 

 I was passionate about creating that same sense of belonging and opportunity for others.

 

Reforming from within: a vision for inclusion 

One of Nadia’s key goals as President was to make LawSoc more accessible and transparent. “In previous years, the recruitment process for sub-committees had been fragmented and lacked structure,” she explains. “Opportunities were often offered based on personal connections rather than merit.” 

To address this, Nadia and her team introduced a centralised application system, complete with clear role descriptions, deadlines, and even sub-committee merchandise. “We received a record number of applications for committee positions. It created meaningful opportunities for wider involvement and allowed committee members to assume more leadership-oriented roles.” 

The impact was tangible.  

Witnessing the friendships and confidence that developed among our sub-committee members has been incredibly rewarding. I am eager to see how our incoming President, Ellie, continues to build on this success, particularly following our merger with BarSoc.

The joy of leadership 

For Nadia, the most fulfilling part of her presidency was the sense of community it fostered. “Coming from a close-knit sixth form, I deeply missed that sense of community during my first year. Serving as President provided me with the opportunity to develop relationships with faculty and staff – whether through bi-weekly meetings with Lydia or by assisting Loren and Marika with networking events. These connections with the School made me feel truly integrated into university life.” 

She also cherishes the camaraderie within the committee.  

I have formed some incredible friendships through this role. I secretly loved when our weekly meetings ran long because of the lively and often spontaneous discussions that arose.

A year of standout events 

While LawSoc hosts a wide range of events, a few stood out for Nadia. “Our Careers Dinner featured a record attendance of 21 firms and chambers, offering invaluable networking opportunities. And the Law Ball was a night of celebration and connection.” 

 

But her personal favourite? “Law’s Got Talent. It’s unlike anything else on campus. Watching a fellow student from your contract law seminar perform in front of lecturers was remarkable. The highlight of the night – and possibly my year – was James (Dr Greenwood-Reeves) and Rosie’s (Dr Fox) drag performance, which featured James dramatically tearing up a constitutional law textbook on stage. An undoubtedly iconic moment.” 

Why join LawSoc? 

“LawSoc offers one of the most accessible and genuine ways to build friendships within your course,” Nadia says. “Even if you don’t find a new best friend, you’ll at least have someone to message for notes when you oversleep for that 9am lecture.” 

“Being part of LawSoc, especially in a leadership role, has been one of the most formative experiences of my university life,” Nadia reflects.

It has shaped me in ways I could never have anticipated, and I’m genuinely excited to see what the next committee accomplishes. 

Ready to get involved? 

Join the University of Leeds Law Society and discover a community that supports, inspires, and empowers. Visit LawSoc’s page to learn more and become a member today.