1. Bernadette Belhaj Boubaker LL.B (Hons) LL.M – Principal In-house Legal Counsel
48 Sandy Drive, Feltham, Middlesex, TW14 8BE
Tel: 07883 912 500 Email: bernadettemmcdermott@gmail.com
PERSONAL SUMMARY
A highly efficient legal professional, who possesses a proven ability to help define a company’s
direction, achieve goals and optimise its core business within a commercial context. Client
focused with the ability to build strong relationships with clients’ and colleagues. Work’s quickly
and accurately under pressure, dealing confidently with changing and conflicting priorities, whilst
maintaining the smooth running of a legal department.
ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS
Legal Practice Course
2012 – 2013 and 2014 – 2015: University of Westminster
Commendation in Solicitors Accounts, Property Law and Practice and Criminal Litigation and
Pass in Employment Law and Civil Litigation
Year Two intended Electives – Immigration and Family
LLM in European Union Law (Masters of Law) – Merit (2:1)
2008 to 2009: University of Westminster
DISSERTATION TOPIC: The UK’s transposition of Directive 2004/38EC and its
implementation and effect on third country nationals derived right’s as a family member, as
defined in Article 2 and 3 of the Directive.
LLB (Hons) in Law (Bachelors) – 2:2
2005 to July 2008: University of Westminster
LEGAL EMPLOYMENT
Company Group – Atlas Group, Hanworth, Greater London
Principal In-house Legal Counsel – January 2015 – To Date
Commercial Litigation
 Oversee the In-house Legal and the Credit Control department of an extremely busy and
fast paced, company group;
 Work closely with the directors, managers and other staff in reviewing all commercial
contracts;
 Negotiate contract terms with clients, effectively balancing the contractual exposure of
the business with the need to maintain good working relationships with clients’;
 Clearly communicate to business colleagues the risks on particular legal/policy matters or
contractual provisions and advise accordingly, including the recommendations of
appropriate risk mitigation strategies;
 Communicate professionally with internal and external customers building positive
relationships, responding to and progressing issues and queries to a successful and timely
conclusion;

2.  Acting as first point of contact to the business relating to all legal matters;
 Managing litigation matters to ensure the company’s interests are best maintained;
 Promoting awareness of and compliance with legislation and contractual terms and
conditions;
 Liaising with external solicitors on legislative, regulatory and contract related matters
where appropriate;
 Provide general advice on day to day employment law matters;
 Deal with negotiations, conduct civil and possession proceedings, enforce judgements and
deal with debt recovery matters; and
 Undertake advocacy within the County Court, where appropriate.
Solicitors – Mayfair Legal, Berkley Square, Mayfair
CASEWORKER MANAGER - Corporate Immigration
March 2014 – June 2014
 Manage caseload from beginning to end
 Pay due diligence to conforming to the UKBA’s Points System
 Liaise with Corporate and High Net Worthclients’ throughout case management
 Entry Clearance, FLR, ILR and Citizenship
 Tier 1 (INV) & (ENT), Tier 2 and Tier 4, SET(M) and SET(O) applications
 Tier 2 (ICT) Applications and Extensions
 Sponsorship Licence application and Sponsorship Licence Audit’s
 EEA 2 & 4 applications
 Client care letter, Initial Advisory Letters and Invoicing Clients’
 Research and prepare summaries of changing legislation or Immigration Rules
 Prepare witness statements and maintain clients’ files in Osprey, our internal case
management software
 Dealing with incoming/outgoing post/DX/franking post
 Support the Principal solicitor with their caseload.
Solicitors – Clapham Law LLP, Tooting Broadway
PARALEGAL/ CASEWORKER Immigration and Human Rights:
November 2012 – February 2014
 Manage caseload from beginning to end
 Meet with clients’ throughout management of their case
 Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 4, SET(M) and SET(O) applications
 Construct Asylum applications by applying precedents and domestic and international
Human Rights and Refugee Laws
 Research objective evidence for Asylum cases
 EEA 2 and 4 applications
 Rule 39 applications to the ECHR
 Grounds of Appeal Judicial Review
 Reconsideration letters to Home Office
 Prepare witness statements
 Prepare bundles for Barristers and Tribunal
 Maintain clients’ files in Osprey

3.  General administrative duties
Non-Government Organisation – Refugee Council, Brixton
REFUGEE INTERGRATION and ADVICE SERVICE OFFICER:
February 2011 – June 2011
 Maintaining/ updating client database
 Meet with clients’
 Arrange and utilise translators for client meetings
 Follow up clients’ application with the UKBA, employers, job centres and other local
authorities
 Writing to government agencies
Retail – Carpet Right, Thornton Heath
STORE MANAGER/ ASSISTANT MANAGER/ PART – TIME SALES:
2008 – 2013
 Managing the day to day operations of the store
 Achieve weekly, monthly and yearly targets/ KPI’s and monitor targets by completing
financial reports
 Implement store compliance of health and safety procedures
 Develop and motivate a team, whilst ensuring everyone adheres to company policies and
procedures
 Developing business links within the local community
 Manage in excess of £80,000 worth of stock alongside preventing loss
SKILLS
 Enhanced advocacy skills
 Research – Extensive experience using Westlaw, Lexis Nexis and Government websites.
 Time Management – my own and team members, gained through work and life
experience
 Negotiation – contracts, with clients’ and Organisations’
 Computing – Profound knowledge and application of all Windows packages, Outlook,
Internet Explorer, Osprey and Work Place Live
 Typing – Audio typing and fast typing speed
INTERESTS
Family activities, cardio gym sessions, music, reading, attending legal conferences and seeking
opportunities to advance my career
References – Available on request