CILEX reposted this
Managing Partner East Devon Law LLP; Vice Chair National Historic Speed Club & Member Board of Trustees at Ireland Motorsports
I’m often asked about my route into law, it’s almost assumed I went to university and then college of law - nothing could be further from the truth. I left comprehensive school at 16 in 1982 with my handful of O levels and started work as the office junior at HFJ & AW Cole solicitors but was very lucky that the firm sponsored my studies with CILEX and I attended a local college night school. It was similar to an apprenticeship, my parents weren’t wealthy and I attended a normal state school. 8 years and a lot of study later I qualified in 1990 and was admitted as a Fellow of the Institute in 1992. I was fortunate that my firm supported me with the cost of studying and through salary sacrifices was able to qualify. I regard myself as fortunate as a result. Now 42 years on from starting that journey I am very proud to be a Trustee of the The CILEX Foundation and charity which supports people from all backgrounds in their journey into law. the foundation has awarded £275,000 in scholarships, bursaries & welfare grants since 2019. So if you or someone you know is looking to start their journey into a career in law but financially they can’t afford to start that journey or their firm won’t sponsor them, then look at the The CILEX Foundation website as the window for scholarship applications is now open for 2024. You will need to first register for a “MyCILEX” account via www.cilex.org.uk and then click on the Foundation tab which will guide you through to the online application process, Good Luck and I hope sharing my own journey into law will inspire others to look at the CILEX route. Oh and in case you wondered where my journey ended; I own and run my own award winning firm of solicitors employing all CILEX qualified staff, so the world is literally your oyster once you start on that CILEX journey 😊 Emma Davies Tom Morgan Yanthé Richardson Robert Morris Matt Huggett Caroline Jepson Mohammed Hussain Donna Hart Dominique Edell #cilex #cilexfoundation #legal #legalcareers
Dominique Edell
7mo
What a great post Ian, and some really inspiring comments from your fellow Fellows! I am the staff lead on the CILEX Foundation’s Scholarship programme, and am currently talking with lots of budding legal professionals who are thinking about applying for funding to start their CILEX qualification. My question to qualified, experienced CILEX Fellows…what would be your advice to someone starting out in the sector now? Your words of wisdom could really spur on a candidate to take the leap of faith and pick up those (digital) study books.
Dino Dullabh
5d
Great to see your share your backstory Ian Hunt. I feel like a broken record at this point, but sharing the journey is critical to raising awareness. When people see the title ‘Managing Partner….’ they automatically assume a multitude of things - usually that you took the traditional pathway. You and all the other commentators here sharing your journey is important work to creating visibility so other people can identify and say ‘if they can do it, I can do it’ #RoleModels
Robert Morris
7mo
My qualification journey was very similar to yours Ian. I started working at a solicitors office at 16 years old on a YTS (Youth Training Scheme). My employers sponsored my CILEX studies.
Maria O'Connell
7mo
Another CILEX lawyer here. British Airways covered my first year Part 1 exams at Crawley College and gave me a half day to attend. Wonderful firm Adams & Remers supporting me the rest of the way. The rest they say is history....
Louise Crockford
7mo
My route to becoming a CILEX Lawyer was very similar to yours too Ian. I highly recommend the CILEX route to becoming a Lawyer.
Lee Flaherty
7mo
Same here, office junior at 16 and CILEx studies of an evening. Great experience working in a solicitors office to get the practical experience and even better no student loans necessary as paid for by employers!
Louise Sackey
7mo
It’s such a great route and I’m really glad to to see that they are helping people that need it.
Associate-Partner and Head of Clinical Negligence
7moAs a FCILEx, I started my legal career after a successful career in HR and Training and then banking. Taking a job as a legal secretary college 2 nights a week for 4 years. The drop out is high in this course so I was only one of 14 to pass the course first time. I realised that my life skills were paramount and always was the first to volunteer for any opportunity to learn network and socialise. On the way I nurtured trained and supported many junior staff who are now partners or own their own firms. I am a proud legal mum lol. My own story has been possible through those supportive of CILEX and recognised the qualification, skills and standard it stands for. I am grateful for the opportunity to do good.