Ayesha has been a solicitor specialising in personal immigration and protection claims for the last 18 years, primarily working in the legal aid sector.

She joined Southwark Law Centre in 2023; prior to this, she worked at Kalayaan, contributing to strategic litigation, policy and casework, and at Luqmani Thompson & Partners (LTP), where she had worked for 14 years, eventually becoming a partner. At LTP Ayesha’s caseload included private and publicly funded matters. She established relationships with many non-governmental organisations and community groups, and developed expertise in dealing with vulnerable groups, such as children in care and those with mental health needs. She has an acute awareness of the need to maintain high professional standards, with respect to legal casework and within the regulatory environment. At Kalayaan and now SLC, her work continues to focus on helping the most vulnerable clients.

Ayesha was elected to ILPA’s Committee of Trustees in 2012. In 2013, she became Co-Convenor of the Legal Aid Working Group. She has contributed to ILPA’s consultations regarding legal aid, drawing on her experience of practice in a high street firm, NGO and now law centre. Ayesha is also a trustee at Maternity Action, a charity that helps women affected by NHS charging.