Kent Lawyer Wins ILEX Award for Excellence

21 January 2008 pr003.08

Robert Harvey, Senior Legal Executive with the Kent law firm, Stephens and Son of Chatham has become the first winner of the ILEX 2007 Award for Excellence from the Institute of Legal Executives, the national organisation that represents Legal Executives, who are specialist lawyers, in England and Wales.

Robert received his award, sponsored by Title Research, the specialist research organisation for legal companies, along with travel vouchers for £1000, from the ILEX President, Lesley Graham at the ILEX Graduation Ceremony in Bedford on 21 January.

“I am deeply honoured to be the first recipient of this prestigious Award for Excellence given by ILEX,” said Robert “and hope that this will be an inspiration to all Legal Executives.”

Robert has been a Legal Executive for over forty years. He joined his first law firm shortly after leaving school and achieved ILEX Fellowship status in 1976. By this time, he was already establishing a reputation in Civil Litigation in the Kent area.

Over the next few years, he developed his interest in Personal Injury work. He was one of the first ILEX Fellows to be appointed to the Law Society’s Personal Injury panel in 1994. He is still a member of that Panel and will remain so until at least 2010.

Following the Civil Litigation reforms in the 1990’s, which led to a number of claims management companies arriving in the Kent area, Robert, together with Jacqueline Shicluna, partner, created the idea that led to Kent Accident Link. This was a collaboration of more than ten law firms throughout the county who joined together to enable accident victims to gain easy access to qualified and reputable lawyers. Launched in 2002 it continues to thrive today.

Robert was appointed to the Law Society’s Personal Injury Panel as an assessor in 2000, the only Legal Executive to hold such a position. In this role, he was often required to adjudicate on applications to the panel from partners from some of the leading legal companies in the country.

He has frequently fought for his clients in court and will go to great lengths to secure the best deal for his clients, often winning for them against the odds.

“Robert has represented the finest traditions of the legal profession throughout his career,” said ILEX President, Lesley Graham.” He is a worthy winner of this award .His support for clients and his willingness to go that extra mile on their behalf is an example to us all. He has pursued and continues to pursue excellence in his day-to-day work. His continued work on the Personal Injury Panel is proof, if proof were needed of the excellence and skills of Legal Executives and the esteem they are held in by other members of the legal profession.”

Ends