Multiple
collaborations with student associations
Roots Connect
Connecting roots through law
Empowering the next generation of legal talent
Roots Connect is the first Belgian network of lawyers and (young) legal professionals committed to empowering students and young professionals from underrepresented backgrounds, in particular those with bicultural roots and first-generation academic trajectories.
About us
Roots Connect was founded by three lawyers united by a shared mission to make the legal profession more inclusive and representative. Redouan Lakhal (President-Director, Lawyer, Employment Law), Anass Arbage (VP Director, Lawyer, Corporate & Commercial Law) and Houda Berrada (VP Director, Lawyer, Environmental Law) combine their professional expertise and personal experiences to bridge the gap between law students from underrepresented backgrounds and the legal sector.
An analysis of the legal profession, and more specifically the profession of being a lawyer and the judiciary, shows that representation within these professional groups is limited compared to the multicultural and diverse society in which we live. Although law students increasingly come from diverse and multicultural backgrounds, they progress into legal careers less frequently than might be expected.
This issue particularly affects first-generation law students in a broad sense: both students who are the first in their family to study law and students with diverse roots or a bicultural background.
Conversations with these students reveal that they still perceive the legal sector as insufficiently diverse, that in their final years they do not always feel ready to apply for positions, and that they encounter invisible barriers due to a lack of information and guidance.
Our mission
We envision a legal sector that reflects the diversity of the society it serves, a world where background or heritage is never a barrier, and where young professionals from underrepresented communities are fully represented, including at the top.
Based on our core values, we aim to build an inclusive network that removes barriers to entering the legal profession for law students. We are a non-profit association of legal professionals committed to empowering students and young professionals from underrepresented backgrounds, in particular those with bicultural roots and first-generation academic trajectories.
Our approach
Roots Connect acts as a bridge between students and the legal profession. We focus on being the point of contact for law students who have questions about legal careers.
Pillar 1 — Impactful events
Interactive events for students featuring (bi-cultural) lawyers and legal professionals who share their personal experiences and engage in open and honest conversations about careers, diversity and inclusion.
Pillar 2 — Dialogue with the sector
Dialogue with law firms, the legal sector more broadly, the judiciary, companies, universities and student associations to share knowledge and experiences.
Pillar 3 — Sustainable partnerships
We seek long-term partners who share our mission. With their support, we can organise events, remunerate speakers and further strengthen our network.
Our impact
10,000+
monthly views on our social media
170+
members (young professionals active in the legal sector) in our Roots Connect community
Support
Ad hoc — we are regularly contacted by law students with practical questions about the legal profession.
Our team
Redouan Lakhal
President-Director
Lawyer, Employment Law
Anass Arbage
VP Director
Lawyer, Corporate & Commercial Law
Houda Berrada
VP Director
Lawyer, Environmental Law
Mina Boel
Public Relations Manager
Lawyer, Environmental Law
Yuan Sun
Marketing Manager
Lawyer, Commercial Law
Our partners
We work with long-term partners and sponsors who share our mission and help us create meaningful opportunities for students and young professionals.
LEVL
Sponsor
LEVL strives for the full participation of people with a migration background on the road to an inclusive society.
- Become our partner
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Become our partnerEvents
Discover our upcoming highlights and community moments. Follow us on LinkedIn for the latest announcements.
Upcoming · Date & location TBC
From Roots to Succes x BLS Consultancy
Event focused on practical career insights, networking, and open dialogue with legal professionals.
Upcoming · Date & location TBC
Roots Connect x Hidaya Hasselt
Community collaboration event connecting students with role models and legal sector perspectives.
Upcoming · Date & location TBC
Roots Connect x Diversity For Law Students
Conversation-driven event around inclusion, representation, and sustainable access to legal careers.
Contact
Questions about our events, partnerships or how to get involved? Get in touch.