CILEx Awards celebrate cream of the crop

09 October 2017

The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx) celebrates the hard work and dedication of its members and the legal community with the annual CILEx Awards. Five prestigious awards were presented at the CILEx Graduation and Admission Ceremonies on Saturday, 7 October at Jurys Inn, Milton Keynes.

Winners in each category are:

Graduate of the Year Award 2017 (sponsored by Hoopers International Probate Genealogists): Awarded to Rachel Lee

This award is given to the CILEx graduate who achieved the highest average score, 85%, in her level 6 subjects.

Rachel started off studying at the College of Richard Collyers in Horsham. She then finished her level 6 exams with CILEx Law School, via distance learning. She works at G4S plc as a Group Legal Assistant in their Head Office legal team. She is currently on secondment with Norton Rose Fulbright from September-December 2017 to gain some experience in Corporate Law.

On receiving the award, Rachel said: “I feel very privileged to have been awarded CILEx Graduate of the Year. It serves to demonstrate how hard work and dedication really do pay off. I have faced several challenges along the way but they have made me even more determined to succeed. I would like to sincerely thank my family, friends, my employer G4S, my previous CILEx tutor Jayne Fenn and CILEx Law School for all of their patience, encouragement and support throughout my studies.” 

Employer of the Year Award 2017 (sponsored by CILEx Law School (CLS)): Awarded to Trowers & Hamlins LLP

This award recognises an employer who has shown their ongoing support and commitment to our members.

Trowers & Hamlins LLP lives its values and provides fantastic support to its employees. There is great career development for all, excellent training and a hugely supportive culture. Career progression is greatly supported, they nurture and reward talent from within. They sponsor paralegals and team assistants through CILEx.

On receiving the award, John Worrall, Head of Learning & Development at Trowers & Hamlins LLP, said: “We are delighted that Trowers & Hamlins has won the CILEx Employer of the Year Award 2017. We work extremely hard to support our people in their careers and to create a supportive working environment. It was great to be nominated by one of our hard working Paralegals and to be acknowledged by CILEx.” 

Pro Bono Award 2017 (sponsored by Title Research): Awarded to Nazmin Akthar

The Pro Bono Award recognises the dedication and commitment of an outstanding individual who, in addition to their daily work, has contributed to the community through giving their time without charge to help others by providing work of a legal nature.

The winner, Chartered Legal Executive Nazmin Akthar, is a trustee of the Muslim Women’s Network UK (MWNUK). The charity works towards promoting equality and social inclusion of Muslim women. The impact of her pro-bono work has been felt both internally and externally – she has helped the Muslim Women’s Network grow as an organisation, helped distressed service users and also helped make changes in wider society. 

Nazmin said: “It is an absolute honour to be recognised in this way. I would like to thank CILEx for encouraging all us members to contribute to the wider society through pro bono activities – our potential to make a difference is truly unlimited and it’s great to have CILEx supporting us to do so. Charities like Muslim Women’s Network UK deal with some of the most vulnerable people in society and I hope other members of our legal community will join me in providing assistance to the likes of them.” 

Nazmin’s prize money is being donating to the charity of her choice; Muslim Women’s Network UK.

CILEx President’s Award 2017 (sponsored by CILEx): Awarded to Caroline Packer

This award is sponsored by CILEx and recognises an individual who has given outstanding service to CILEx and the legal community and who represents CILEx values and ethos.

This year’s winner, Caroline Packer, a very organised and hardworking lawyer, shows commitment to her clients and is passionate about seeking the best results for them, regularly receiving very complimentary feedback. She proudly now holds the position of Managing Director of her own business, something which would not have been possible without CILEx.

On receiving the award, Caroline said: “I am honoured and humbled to receive the President’s award. For my efforts to be recognised by members of the legal community I have sought to support and grow with, is a tremendous personal achievement. I would like to thank my team at DMR Collation for their continued support throughout the years. We are building a strong legal client base, which makes this award both a milestone for myself and my company.”

CILEx Apprentice of the Year Award 2017 (sponsored by CILEx Law School (CLS)): Awarded to Michelle Blackwell

This award acknowledges and celebrates an apprentice’s outstanding contributions to their workplace and exceptional progress in both their skills development and studies.

The CILEx Apprentice of the Year, Michelle Blackwell, has demonstrated an impressive commitment to learning and a strong work ethic. She has been kept on as a paralegal at Bevan Brittan LLP following completion of her Advanced Apprenticeship.

Michelle is hard-working, self-motivated and ambitious to fulfil her potential by progressing in both her role at Bevan Brittan LLP and in her legal studies. She is about to start the Chartered Legal Executive Apprenticeship and is ambitious to qualify as a Chartered Legal Executive.

On receiving the award, Michelle said: “I am very grateful for all of the support I have received from my supervisor and colleagues throughout my apprenticeship and I am very honoured to have won this award as I know there were a lot of incredible apprentices nominated. I look forward to the next steps in my career at Bevan Brittan LLP.”