CILEX honours paralegal excellence across 17 categories

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On 18 September, the seventh National Paralegal Awards, hosted by CILEX, recognised paralegals across 14 individual and three business categories, such as Paralegal of the Year and National Paralegal Business of the Year.

Paralegal of the Year was awarded to Sophie Wells, who has worked as a childcare law paralegal at Reading Borough Council for the last six years. Sophie has handled complex High Court cases and represented the local authority at case management hearings. She’s currently working towards the CILEX Lawyer qualification, which she’s expected to achieve by the end of the year.

Meanwhile, alternative legal services provider Pinsent Masons Vario won the award for National Paralegal Business of the Year. It was recognised for its Paralegal Centre of Excellence, which was established to professionalise its paralegal career framework. The business funds the CILEX Professional Qualification and CILEX Chartered Paralegal status.

CEO of CILEX, 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 who provide workplaces where paralegals thrive, develop and build fantastic careers. They really represent the very best of the legal sector.”

Other award winners are as follows:

• 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 LLP.
• 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.