09/09/2019
Two legal apprentices at the law firm Bevan Brittan in Birmingham are among the winners in national awards that recognise the best and the brightest in the profession.
The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (‘CILEx’) named Aimee Haden as Chartered Legal Executive Apprentice of the Year, while Samantha Ross triumphed in the Paralegal Apprentice of the Year category. They were among 17 winners from across a range of law firms and local authorities.
Both apprentices are working towards becoming fully qualified solicitors. Aimee is training within Bevan Brittan’s property practice, while Samantha is attached to the clinical risk department. Both teams are ranked in Legal 500, the independent guide to the legal profession.
The CILEx awards celebrate “innovative recruitment and professional development practices” and recognise individuals, organisations and teams that are providing “exemplary service, advice and support”.
Aimee Haden said:
“I am really proud to win this award. Apprenticeships are a great and sometimes overlooked entry route in to law. I am thankful for the support and encouragement from my colleagues at Bevan Brittan where such fantastic opportunities for apprentices are provided, and where my hard work and dedication is always valued.”
Samantha Ross said:
“I hope that by winning this award that it will inspire other young people to take the apprenticeship route into law and help raise the awareness that apprenticeships are not the ‘second best route’ from university.
“CILEx offers the perfect opportunity to learn the academic side of things, alongside the practical element at work, which is why the apprenticeship route works so well. I would highly recommend the CILEx route to anyone who was considering starting their career in law.”
Last year, Bevan Brittan’s apprenticeship programme saw Birmingham based legal executive Michelle Blackwell win the Higher/Degree Apprenticeship of the Year (West Midlands) at the National Apprenticeship Awards 2018.
With more than 60 legal professionals and support staff in Birmingham and the Midlands region - including eight partners - Bevan Brittan has made substantial investments in its capability and capacity in one of the UK’s most dynamic regions.
Adrian Dagnall, Bevan Brittan’s office head in Birmingham, said:
“I am delighted to be able to congratulate both Aimee and Sam on the well-deserved recognition they have been given at the CILEx National Awards. These awards are a testament to the application and dedication they have shown to developing their skills and talents and I am confident that those same qualities will take them a long way in their legal careers.
“I am also pleased that the commitment that Bevan Brittan has shown to growing the skills of its employees at all levels is bearing fruit so successfully and, in particular, that our Birmingham office is the happy beneficiary.”
