Elena Funnell

Elena is a Paralegal working within our Education and Community Care team. Her day-to-day responsibilities include supporting solicitors in the department with their caseloads, working predominantly with Rachel Scales on SEND Tribunal Appeals and other education matters.

Prior to joining Simpson Millar, Elena worked as a primary school teaching assistant with 4–5-year-olds, some of whom were vulnerable or had special educational needs. Elena found this experience invaluable in terms of learning how to make sure the classroom space and activities were accessible for every student.

Elena graduated in 2020 with a degree in Education Studies with English Literature from Durham University, followed by the Graduate Diploma in Law.

Elena has previously volunteered with Urban Lawyers on their School 21 project, which aims to give disadvantaged children an insight into the law and their rights as well as advising them on how to get into a career in law.