Memorial award honours talented LSBU law student
An award has been launched to honour a talented London South Bank University law student at an event to celebrate her life.
Jessica Aviss graduated from LSBU with a first-class degree in Law in 2021 and went on to qualify as a solicitor with Beck Fitzgerald Lawyers & Consultants in April 2024. She tragically died later that year.
On 8 April, family, friends, colleagues, students and lecturers came together at LSBU to celebrate Jessica’s life.
Jenny Beck KC (Hons) and other colleagues reflected upon Jess' many achievements, which inspired an essay competition, the Jessica Aviss Memorial Award, awarded to an LSBU law student who was best able to describe Jess’ core values of integrity, bravery and kindness.
The runner-up, Fariba Zanganeh, was awarded a work placement with Beck Fitzgerald Lawyers & Consultants, as was the winner, Shreya Mehta, who was also awarded a prize of £250 by the firm.
At the event, Chris Barnes, a barrister, gave a memorial lecture on the development of Human Rights in Family Law, and invited the audience to consider how to be a Changemaker.
Jess was warmly remembered as someone who supported her fellow students, her clients and made a significant contribution to the legal community, touching the lives of all she met.