CILEX members celebrate graduation

October saw over 800 CILEX members, friends and family gather at London’s QEII Conference Centre to celebrate graduation.

Some 232 new CILEX Fellows, CILEX Lawyers, Advocates, Practitioners, Chartered Paralegals and CILEX Graduates heard from speakers that included Donna Scully, joint owner and director at insurance and legal services provider Carpenters Group, CILEX President Sara Fowler and CILEX CEO Jennifer Coupland.

This was the first ceremony to include Chartered Paralegals, following the creation of the new status earlier this year.

Ms Fowler recognised the achievements of attending graduates and reflected that many will have had a difficult journey to get there.

“I vividly remember the moment I received the results for my final exams,” she said. “There was relief, pride and maybe even a few tears, and I know many of you will be feeling the same today. It takes resilience, discipline and determination to balance work, study and personal commitments. You have shown all these qualities in abundance, and they will serve you well throughout your careers.”

Coming from a disadvantaged background herself, Ms Fowler told graduates: “I know what it means to fight for opportunities and to believe in yourself when the odds are stacked against you. That’s why I’m passionate about social mobility, equal access to justice and ensuring that our profession remains open and inclusive to everyone, no matter where their journey begins.”

She encouraged members to think big, saying: “As you move forward, remember this: there are no ceilings in your way. CILEX professionals are leading teams, heading up major cases, shaping policy and even standing here as CILEX president. I want you to know there are no limits to what you can achieve.”

Donna Scully is a leading lawyer in the insurance world and works closely with the Ministry of Justice on motor claims and civil justice reform. Her firm employs 1,500 people working in partnership with insurers, brokers and managing general agents to handle a variety of outsourced claims.

Graduates heard about her career journey, from training with CILEX to becoming joint owner and director of her own firm. “When I decided I wanted to study law aged 22, and realised I couldn’t afford to do a law degree and needed to be able to work to pay the bills, CILEX was my golden ticket and something that I will always be grateful for,” she explained. 

Ms Scully told the audience about the importance of grabbing opportunities that come their way, saying: “My advice to you today, having worked so hard and against the odds to be here, is to listen to your inner roar and take the chances that come along even if you are scared. What’s the worst that can happen? Perhaps it doesn’t work out? What’s worse is never taking the chance and missing out on opportunities that might change your life and career positively.”

Addressing the Mazur judgment, the impact on the legal industry and CILEX Fellows in particuIar, she said: “I think lawyers are vital to society and I know we have been hit with the case of Mazur recently, questioning what we are able to do. In law, you will be hit with a lot of reform, with questionable case law and unfair decisions, and my advice to you and our profession is for us to stand up for what is right, to stick together and to make sure our voice is heard. And remember, CILEX is out there batting for you – it is your professional body and it’s stronger with your support and you are stronger for having it at your back.”

The celebrations also saw six new CILEX companions awarded companion status in recognition of their work representing and championing CILEX.

They were former CILEX Chair Professor Chris Bones; Director of Delivery at the Conveyancing Association and Co-Chair of the Home Buying and Selling Council, Beth Rudolf; judge and former Chair of the CILEX Foundation, HHJ Marc Dight; Partner and Legal Operations Director at Simmons & Simmons, Barbara Hamilton-Bruce, a former CILEX Council member; Chair of the Chartered Legal Executive trailblazer apprenticeship employer group, Andrew Lee; and Chartered Legal Executive Donna Hart, who is a partner at Everys Solicitors and head of the firm’s family law team.