Childcare law specialist named Paralegal of the Year
The National Paralegal Awards, which celebrates the best of the UK’s paralegal talent, has awarded this year’s Paralegal of the Year award to Sophie Wells, a childcare law specialist at Reading Borough Council.
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Leading alternative legal services provider Pinsent Masons Vario scooped the award for National Paralegal Business of the Year.
Now in their seventh year and hosted by CILEX on 18 September at Birmingham’s Burlington Hotel, the awards recognised 14 individuals and three businesses.
Ms Wells has been working for Reading Borough Council for six years, handling care proceedings including those relating to neglect, emotional harm, sexual abuse, criminal exploitation and mental health issues. She now runs her own caseload and is involved in complex cases before the High Court, as well as representing the local authority at case management hearings.
She trains new team members and has spoken at schools and university career events to explain and advocate for the paralegal role. She is currently studying with CILEX and expects to qualify as a CILEX Lawyer by the end of this year.
Pinsent Masons Vario was recognised for its Paralegal Centre of Excellence, which was established to professionalise its paralegal career framework and has seen the business develop a more engaged, confident and supported workforce, improving performance and retention.
Vario actively funds the CILEX Professional Qualification and CILEX Chartered Paralegal status.
Other award winners were:
- Best Conveyancing/Real Estate Paralegal: Elsa Ghossan, Dentons
- Best Family Law Paralegal: Sophie Payne, Invicta Law
- Best Intellectual Property Paralegal: Annemarie Parsons, Murgitroyd
- Best Newcomer/Young Practitioner: Sophie Francis, Branch Austin McCormick
- Best Probate Research Paralegal: Claire Larkin Miller, Langton Genealogy
- Best Will Writing Paralegal: Sharon Baker, Mowll & Mowll
- Best In-House Paralegal: JoAnna Emery, atai Life Sciences
- Best Public Sector Paralegal: Rachael Newton, Met Office
- Community Champion: Sophie Palk, Tozers
- Paralegal of the Year - South: Sharon Baker, Mowll & Mowll
- Paralegal of the Year - Midlands/North: Billie Spooner, Irwin Mitchell
- Paralegal of the Year - Wales: Holly Hale, Watkins & Gunn
- Best Paralegal Apprentice: Eleanor Webster, Wilkin Chapman Rollits
- Best Law Firm - Paralegal Development: Murgitroyd
- Best Legal Professional Supplier: Pro-Gen Research
CILEX CEO Jennifer Coupland said: “In every area of the legal sector, paralegals are making a powerful impact. They are the driving force behind so much of the profession’s success, providing access to justice, supporting clients through challenging times and bringing expertise, dedication and innovation to the delivery of legal services.
“The awards present an opportunity to celebrate exceptional paralegals who, like National Paralegal of the Year award winner Sophie Wells and our other finalists, are demonstrating talent, commitment and professionalism. It’s also the moment to celebrate great paralegal employers such as Pinsent Masons Vario, Murgitroyd and Pro-Gen Research, which provide workplaces where paralegals thrive, develop and build fantastic careers. They really represent the very best of the legal sector.”