Legal profession bids farewell to figurehead

28 November 2014

At a surprise event last night, heads of the legal profession past and present, parliamentarians, regulators, lawyers and legal charities assembled to bid farewell to Diane Burleigh OBE, chief executive and honorary Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx). Diane retires at the end of the year after 16 years leading CILEx and more than 44 years in the sector.

Speaking at the event, CILEx president Frances Edwards said: “Diane leaves behind a chartered institute that is best placed to build on the developments she has achieved. On behalf of all CILEx’s presidents, Council members, staff, our members, and the public, I want to thank you for your dedicated, unswerving passion and commitment to CILEx and the legal profession.”

Diane Burleigh said: “I would like to say thank you to those who have seen me through my career. It’s been a wonderful 16 years and you are all here because you are friends of CILEx, you’ve given CILEx immense support, immense encouragement, and shared your wisdom with us. Thank you.”

Also in attendance was Lord Neuberger, the president of the Supreme Court. Praising Diane and CILEx, he said: “The striking growth and success of CILEx in recent years, which has greatly contributed to the rule of law and diversity, is in very large measure attributable to Diane Burleigh, who demonstrated commitment, determination, good judgment and effectiveness, all to a high degree, throughout her time as chief executive.”

The event was held at the Foundling Museum in London – a fitting venue for CILEx as it commemorates the Foundling Hospital; a children’s home established for the education and maintenance of exposed and deserted young children. The Hospital’s aim was to give children opportunities that they would have otherwise never had through providing apprenticeships and training.

Diane Burleigh retires at the end of 2014 and Mandie Lavin will take up the chief executive post in the New Year.

ENDS

Picture left to right: Lord Neuberger, president of the Supreme Court; Diane Burleigh OBE; Frances Edwards, CILEx president.