Honorary Doctorates awarded to Lubna Shuja and David Ruebain

University of Law (ULaw) has awarded Honorary Doctorates to two successful ULaw Alumni, the President of the Law Society for England and Wales, Lubna Shuja, and leading Equality, Diversity and Inclusion figure, David Ruebain.

Lubna and David received the Honorary Doctorates on 24 October at The University of Law’s graduation ceremony which saw more than 3000 students graduate.

Lubna Shuja is the first Asian, the first Muslim, and only the seventh woman to become President of the Law Society of England and Wales. As President, Lubna acts as an ambassador for the legal profession, champions the work of over 200,000 solicitors, and represents their interests to the government, the media, and other external bodies.

Originally from Bradford, Lubna attended The College of Law (now ULaw) in 1989 and qualified as a solicitor in 1992. In 2007 she established her own practice, Legal Swan Solicitors, where she specialises in litigation, professional discipline and regulation. She is also a CEDR accredited mediator, conducting civil and family mediations.

In addition, Lubna has worked with several professional regulators. She is a Chair of the General Chiropractic Council’s Investigating Committee and a Legally Qualified Deputy Chair of the General Pharmaceutical Council’s Fitness to Practise Committee. Lubna became a member of the Law Society Council in 2013, she is a past Chair of the Strategic Litigation Group and a member of the Law Society Board.

Lubna’s message to graduands is “Where you start your career is not necessarily where you will end up. Grab every opportunity that presents itself. You never know where it may take you.” 

David Ruebain is a leading figure in EDI in education and Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Culture, Equality and Inclusion at the University of Sussex. He has strategic responsibility for all aspects of Culture, Equality and Inclusion at the University, including progressing work on a range of systemic change initiatives, race equity, LGBTQ+ advancement and dignity and respect. David is Professor of Culture, Diversity and Inclusion in the School of Law, Politics and Sociology.

David is a past winner of Royal Association for Disability Rights (RADAR) People of the Year Award for Achievement in the Furtherance of Human Rights of Disabled People in the UK. In 2003, he was shortlisted for the Law Society’s Gazette Centenary Award for Lifetime Achievement – Human Rights. He has also been listed as one of 25 Most Influential Disabled People in the UK by Disability Now Magazine, in the Disability News Service’s “Influence Index” and the Disability Power Lists, October 2014.

David Ruebain says: “I am delighted to be honoured by The University of Law and am very grateful to the University’s Academic Board for their kind recognition. It is very much an unexpected honour. My time at The College of Law and subsequent career as a lawyer and practitioner galvanised my interest and work in transformational change, which makes this honour significant.” 

Professor Andrea Nollent, Vice-Chancellor and CEO at The University of Law, said: “It is my privilege to award Honorary Doctorates to Lubna and David in recognition of the outstanding work they do on some some of the most important issues facing us at this time. They are outstanding and inspiring role models for our graduating students.”