Hello hello!
My complete name is Anna Neira Quesada. To those of you who are wondering, no, Neira is not my middle name. One of the perks of being Spanish is that I get to have two surnames, my dad’s going first (Neira) and then my mum’s (Quesada). Revolutionary feminists, but not that much.
I’m Operations officer, which is a role that covers pretty much anything and everything that you can think of. In fact, I think it’s easier to explain what I don’t do or potentially wouldn’t do! To keep it short and sweet, I’m in charge of our membership and membership services, website development and maintenance, social media presence, supporting my colleagues in technical aspects of their job and other office bits and bobs!
What is the best bit of the job?
Being a legal aid practitioner nowadays is not easy. Surprising, right? Undoubtedly, policy changes must occur in order to guarantee that practitioners’ work, both present and future, is viable, sustainable and fair. Until those changes take place, however, practitioners need as much support as possible, including on the day-to-day aspects of managing and maintaining a firm. And this is where I intervene! I definitely have the best of both worlds: I’m close enough to practitioners to know about their proposals, struggles and needs -which satisfies my policy interests and further reaffirms my belief in real access to justice- AND I can use that knowledge to make things slightly easier for them using my creativity, which keeps me engaged and makes me feel useful.
What is the worst bit of the job?
If I’m honest, the absolute worst, almost unbearable, bit of my job is the fact that despite all the continuous, incessant effort during the 2 and a bit years I’ve been at LAPG, I still haven’t managed to see Chris dancing. Not even a sad little head nod. Nothing.
Quick fire questions…
Homeworking or office?
Office! And the reason is quite simple – there’s nothing more satisfying than being the in-house DJ (also part of my role) and listening to my colleagues humming and/or quietly singing.
Coffee or kombucha?
Oof. I’m a citizen of the world, otherwise known as a self-proclaimed hipster, so I cannot choose.
Posh chocolate or Cadbury’s Dairy Milk?
Unpopular opinion: I don’t like chocolate. Yes, I’m one of those…
Last music or comedy gig attended?
The one and only ROSALÍA – check her out, you won’t regret it.
Favourite lawyer (can be fictional or real)?
The Secret Barrister
TV programme series you have most recommended to friends?
The L Word – Once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Favourite person/organisation you follow on Twitter or any other social media platform?
Person: Irene Montero – Spanish Equality Minister
Organisation: @gemmareacts, which has a compilation of Gemma Collins’ memes. No need to ask questions.