Addleshaw Goddard triumph at CILEx Awards

21 April 2015

International law firm Addleshaw Goddard picked up two accolades at the annual awards presented by the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx) this week. The firm’s Transaction Services Team, based in Manchester, won the Employer of the Year award and their legal services apprentice Bethany Bilton was named Apprentice of the Year.

The Transaction Services Team at Addleshaw Goddard received the Employer of the Year award for their ongoing support and commitment to legal services apprenticeships. Already employing eight legal services apprentices, they are currently recruiting a new intake to begin this September offering school leavers and career changers an accessible and affordable route into the legal profession.

Monica Burch, senior partner at Addleshaw Goddard, said: “We are delighted to receive the CILEx Employer of the Year award for our apprenticeships. We are very passionate about our apprenticeship scheme and remain committed to providing an alternative career route for ambitious young people wishing to join the legal sector.”

Monica continued: “Our Transaction Services Team have really embraced the opportunity and have worked hard to build a supportive, interesting and exciting apprenticeship scheme. We look forward to welcoming a new intake of apprentices to the firm in September 2015.”

Bethany became a legal services apprentice at Addleshaw Goddard after finishing her BTECs at Oldham College in 2013. This year Bethany is due to complete her apprenticeship and has already volunteered to become an apprentice ambassador to promote the scheme to others.

On winning the award, Bethany said: “I am very proud to have won this award and I am really thankful for all the support I received from my colleagues at Addleshaw Goddard during the course of the apprenticeship. I am now looking forward to the next step in my career at Addleshaw Goddard.”

Katherine Rathbone, divisional HR manager at Addleshaw Goddard said: “We are very proud that Bethany has been awarded CILEx Apprentice of the Year. This is particularly special because it is the first time CILEx have presented this award and Bethany is certainly a role model to those considering an apprenticeship in the future and a great ambassador for the firm.”

Further awards were presented which celebrated the pro bono work of CILEx members, the academic excellence of a Graduate member and also two special President’s Awards. The awards were presented at the CILEx Graduation and Admission Ceremonies at King’s House, Bedford.

Full list of CILEx Awards and winners:

Employer of the Year – sponsored by CILEx Law School
Transaction Services Team, Addleshaw Goddard (photograph 1)

Apprentice of the Year – sponsored by CILEx Law School
Bethany Bilton, legal services apprentice, Addleshaw Goddard (photograph 2)

Pro Bono Award – sponsored by Title Research
Adrian Schwab, Chartered Legal Executive and Delay Claims Litigation Manager, TUI Travel Plc (photograph 3)

Graduate of the Year – sponsored by Hoopers
Kathryn Cole, private client and probate manager at Gales Solicitors in Bournemouth. Kathryn achieved an admirable average of 85% across her Level 6 CILEx units (photograph 4)

President’s Award – sponsored by Caswell Jones and CILEx
Sarah Goodridge, Chartered Legal Executive, Withy King Solicitors, Bath (photograph 5)
Donna Hart, Senior Associate Chartered Legal Executive, The Family Law Company, Exeter (photograph 6)

ENDS