16 August 2011

From 90 to 19! Oldest Legal Executive hands down advice to A-level students

“Work hard and don’t expect an easy way out!” That’s the advice to A-Level students getting their results this week, from the oldest working Legal Executive Lawyer.

Yvonne Moore, who turns 90 today (16 August 2011), joined law firm Rootes and Alliott, Folkestone in 1939 to cover for someone who was on national service for six weeks. When the war broke out the legal firm kept her on and 72 years later, she is still there.

Yvonne now wants to pass on her well-earned experience to those who are getting their A-Level exam results this week: “If you didn’t get what you wanted in your results, it is not the end of your career. I never dreamed I’d become a lawyer but taking a qualification through the Institute of Legal Executives (ILEX), while working, gave me a fantastic chance as I did not have to leave work and go to university.

“But you must remember, there are no easy options into law and ILEX is no exception. If you want to do law you have to work hard and do it to the best of your ability.”

Miss Moore has seen a lot of changes in her time. She adds: “When I started law was mostly about conveyancing and debt collection but now it’s all about divorces, custody battles and neighbour disputes. ILEX is doing really well at the moment and Legal Executive Lawyers have a promising future as partners and judges. There are a lot of changes to the legal sector on the way, so I’ll be watching with interest.”

Susan Watler, Senior Partner at Rootes and Alliott said: “Yvonne has given tireless service to this firm for a period of 72 years. She is a treasured member of staff and is a very remarkable lady indeed. Yvonne is a wonderful example to everyone that you can achieve anything you want if you put your mind to it.”

So what next for Yvonne? “I would like to carry on as long as I can – as long as Rootes and Alliott will have me!”

ENDS