Barrister
Social Entrepreneur
Speaker
Karen Safo-Barnieh
Using the law as a tool for change.
Using the law as a tool for change.
As seen in
Karen Safo-Barnieh is a British-Ghanaian barrister, speaker and social entrepreneur driven by a belief that the law belongs to the people it is meant to protect.
At 17, she founded Youth Development Ghana, a grassroots campaign against unfair trade and child labour in Ghanaian communities. That early conviction led her to qualify as a barrister, earn a scholarship to UCLA, speak at Bloomberg, the Congressional Black Caucus, the UN and the Independent Office for Police Conduct, and found Upheld, a legal technology platform putting rights directly in people's hands.
Karen's work is shaped by the relationship between law, identity, trade and power across the UK, Ghana and the wider Global South.
Appointed Head Girl at The Holy Cross School and Richard Challoner Federation in 2007, alongside receiving the Academic Excellence Award for Minority Students from the Social Mobility Foundation.
Created Youth Development Ghana, a grassroots campaign against unfair trade and child labour in Ghanaian communities. The beginning of a career built on using the law as a tool for change.
Awarded the Dean's Fellowship Scholarship to study at the University of California, Los Angeles, focusing on international law and human rights.
Postgraduate study at SOAS concentrating on law, climate change and natural resource governance, bridging the legal academy with the Global South.
Qualified as a barrister and currently undertaking pupillage at the Government Legal Department, bringing legal training into her work across equality, public interest advocacy, technology and social impact.
Marking the formal beginning of practice at the Bar.
Winner, In House Counsel Rising Star.
Leadership, advocacy and public service in national spaces.
Recognised as Rising Star of the Year.
Accepting the Rising Star award before peers across the profession.
“Karen is professional, timely, thorough and knowledgeable, however her soft skills as far as listening, counselling, motivating and empathy are nothing short of excellent and very ‘human’! The service has led to me winning the employer’s appeals process and having my claims upheld ahead of Employment Tribunal. Appointing her will be the best decision you make.”
Client C.A.
“Your guidance made a real difference, both legally and emotionally, and helped me achieve a positive outcome. I truly appreciated your clear advice, patience, and understanding at a time when I needed it most. I’ll certainly recommend you to anyone facing a similar situation.”
Client S.M.
A career conversation on confidence, law and taking up space in the profession.
BBC Sounds BBC radio interviewBroadcast commentary and public conversation.
The Independent Black Girls Do Bike London ClubNational coverage on community, representation and cycling.
Sharp, grounded commentary on justice, technology, power and the future of the Global South.
Explore speaking → Advisory & consultingAdvice across AI governance, mineral supply chains, climate justice and development systems.
Discuss advisory → UpheldEmployment, housing and contract tools built for the people who need them most.
Try Upheld →Karen speaks, advises and consults on the forces reshaping law, development and justice: from AI governance and mineral supply chains to climate justice, human rights and the future of the Global South.
Advisory on AI regulation, ethics, and deployment in developing economies, ensuring the Global South shapes the rules, not just follows them.
Strategy and policy on extractive industries, mineral supply chains, and resource equity. Ensuring communities benefit from their own wealth.
Consulting on the environmental costs of technology, climate policy, and just transition frameworks for frontline communities.
Programme design, policy research, and strategic advisory for development organisations and multilateral institutions.
Whether you need a speaker, strategic advice, or legal tools, start with the route that fits.