Chartered Institute of Legal Executives

101 newly qualified Chartered Legal Executive lawyers celebrated their graduation on Saturday 13 October in a ceremony held by the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx).

The event, where the lawyers swore their oaths to ‘discharge diligently their duties and responsibilities as a Chartered Legal Executive’, was presided over by CILEx president Philip Sherwood, and featured guest speakers including Ed Buckley, Shantha David and Dana Denis-Smith.

Philip told the new graduates: ‘You are ascending in a profession in a time of great challenge. There is no area of our justice system that is not in flux or under pressure, and no area of law that is standing still. No matter what problems you look at in our society and our country, we know that legal professionals like you have a role in solving them. Not just because of your independence, not just because of your skills, but also because you are drawn from all corners of society.’

Ed Buckley, who was represented by Irwin Mitchell after a collision with a taxi left him in a coma for six months, said: ‘You have the chance to do good. You have the chance to be that thoughtful and compassionate lawyer who helps people like me as they enter the next chapter of their lives, leave a legacy behind for others, or just need a little guidance and support. Whether as a lawyer, or as a judge, please go out there and do good.’

Unison’s Shantha David said: ‘So, what next? That’s down to you. You can make of it what you want. Don’t let people’s perceptions or your own limitations of what you think you are capable of achieving stop you. Go for it—whether you want to run your own company, be a partner of a law firm, be a judge, or whatever it is. Get the requisite experience, read as much as you can, absorb as much as you can, learn from people, and aim high.’

CEO of Obelisk Support, founder of First 100 Years and LexisNexis Legal Personality of the Year 2018, Dana Denis-Smith, told them: ‘Almost 100 years on from when women first entered the legal profession, Chartered Legal Executive lawyers have been the biggest beneficiary, with three-quarters being women. Becoming a CILEx lawyer is a great achievement. You have to sacrifice a lot, work around other jobs, be looked down on sometimes, and yet still really believe in yourselves. You should feel proud.’