CILEx Awards 2017
CILEx Awards:
acknowledging outstanding achievements
Five prestigious CILEx Awards were presented at the CILEx Graduation and Admission Ceremonies on 7 October in Milton Keynes.
Graduate of the Year: Rachel Lee
Sponsored by Hoopers International Probate Genealogists
This award is given to the CILEx graduate who achieved the highest average score in all their Level 6 subjects.
Rachel achieved the highest average result, ie, 85%, across all six units of her Level 6 Diploma.
On receiving the award, Rachel said: ‘I feel very privileged to have been awarded CILEx Graduate of the Year. It serves to demonstrate how hard work and dedication really do pay off. I have faced several challenges along the way but they have made me even more determined to succeed. I would like to sincerely thank my family, friends, my employer G4S, my previous CILEx tutor Jayne Fenn and CILEx Law School for all of their patience, encouragement and support throughout my studies.’
Employer of the Year: Trowers & Hamlins LLP
Sponsored by CILEx Law School
This award recognises an employer who has shown their ongoing support and commitment to our members.
Trowers & Hamlins LLP lives its values and provides fantastic support to its employees. There is great career development for all, excellent training and a hugely supportive culture. Career progression is greatly supported, they nurture and reward talent from within. They sponsor paralegals and team assistants through CILEx.
On receiving the award, John Worrall, head of learning & development at Trowers & Hamlins LLP, said: ‘We are delighted that Trowers & Hamlins has won the CILEx Employer of the Year Award 2017. We work extremely hard to support our people in their careers and to create a supportive working environment. It was great to be nominated by one of our hard-working paralegals and to be acknowledged by CILEx.’
Pro Bono Award: Nazmin Akthar
Sponsored by Title Research
The Pro Bono Award recognises the dedication and commitment of an outstanding individual who, in addition to their daily work, has contributed to the community through giving their time without charge to help others by providing work of a legal nature.
Chartered Legal Executive Nazmin Akthar, is a trustee of the Muslim Women's Network UK (MWNUK).
On receiving her award, Nazmin said: ‘It is an absolute honour to be recognised in this way. I would like to thank CILEx for encouraging all us members to contribute to the wider society through pro bono activities - our potential to make a difference is truly unlimited and it's great to have CILEx supporting us to do so. Charities like Muslim Women's Network UK deal with some of the most vulnerable people in society and I hope other members of our legal community will join me in providing assistance to the likes of them.’ See also pages 4 and 40 of this issue.
CILEx President’s Award: Caroline Packer
Sponsored by CILEx
The annual CILEx Awards celebrate the excellence, hard work, and dedication of CILEx members and the wider legal community
This award is sponsored by CILEx, and recognises an individual who has given outstanding service to CILEx, and the legal community, and who represents CILEx values and ethos.
Caroline Packer, a very organised and hardworking lawyer, shows commitment to her clients and is passionate about seeking the best results for them, regularly receiving very complimentary feedback.
On receiving the award, Caroline said: ‘I am honoured and humbled to receive the President’s award. For my efforts to be recognised by members of the legal community I have sought to support and grow with, is a tremendous personal achievement. I would like to thank my team at DMR Collation for their continued support throughout the years. We are building a strong legal client base, which makes this award both a milestone for myself and my company.’
CILEx Apprentice of the Year: Michelle Blackwell
Sponsored by CILEx Law School
This award acknowledges and celebrates an apprentice’s outstanding contributions to their workplace and exceptional progress in both their skills development and studies.
Michelle Blackwell has demonstrated an impressive commitment to learning and a strong work ethic. She has been kept on as a paralegal at Bevan Brittan LLP following completion of her Advanced Apprenticeship. Michelle is hardworking, self-motivated and ambitious to fulfil her potential by progressing in both her role at Bevan Brittan LLP and in her legal studies. She is about to start the Chartered Legal Executive Apprenticeship and is ambitious to qualify as a Chartered Legal Executive.
On receiving the award, Michelle said: ‘I am very grateful for all of the support I have received from my supervisor and colleagues throughout my apprenticeship and I am very honoured to have won this award as I know there were a lot of incredible apprentices nominated. I look forward to the next steps in my career at Bevan Brittan LLP.’