Diane Burleigh awarded OBE in New Year Honours

CEO of The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives, Diane Burleigh, has been awarded an OBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours.

Diane, who has been CEO of CILEx since 1998, receives the award for services to the legal profession. The news comes as CILEx prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2013 and adds to the Charter awarded to CILEx in October 2011.

Upon hearing the news, CILEx President Nick Hanning said: “I’m delighted Diane’s achievements at CILEx have received such prestigious recognition. It is no coincidence that the vast majority of the rights CILEx has obtained and the hugely increased recognition of and respect for the Chartered Institute have been gained during Diane’s tenure and this award deservedly reflects both on her and also on the membership and the staff she leads.”

Diane Burleigh OBE has had a legal career spanning over 30 years. Admitted as a solicitor in 1981, she then became a partner with Balderston Warren in Letchworth, Hertfordshire specialising in criminal and family law. In 1988 she moved to the Law Society’s Legal Advisors Office assisting with the conduct of the Society’s litigation and advising members on difficult practice issues and advising internally.

She became Head of Court Business and Deputy Director of Policy at the Law Society with responsibility for a team providing advice to the Society and the profession on law reform and changes to practice. She was further given responsibility for the Law Society Groups and equal opportunities in the profession.

Diane has lectured widely, particularly in relation to the law and regulations on money laundering and was responsible for the Law Society’s first guidance on the subject in 1994. Diane was a part-time Legal Chair of the Special Education Needs and Disability Tribunal.