Last updated 22:19, Tuesday, 25 March 2008

John Milburn

LEGAL Executive Kathryn Hill left Workington Sixth Form Centre with no particular career in mind. But now, at only 29, Kathryn has become a member of the Institute of Legal Executives (ILEX) with a Fellowship recognition.

After studying A-level law, business and English, Kathryn considered a career in which she could progress and which didn’t involve moving to a university. She wanted to stay in the area and ultimately train in West Cumbria so, with help from her school careers adviser, Kathryn came to the conclusion a career in law would be the perfect option for her.

“I had really enjoyed my A-level law course at sixth form and I began enquiring about placements with various solicitors in Workington,” she explained.

“I waited for news of somewhere that would take me on and I could begin training as a Legal Executive. This meant I would be able to train locally but, after training, I would be a legal professional undertaking a similar role to a solicitor.”

Milburns Solicitors were impressed with Kathryn’s application and took her on as part of their recruitment plan. She began in September 1996 as a trainee legal executive carrying out basic tasks in the workplace as an office junior. Soon afterwards she was studying the ILEX Professional Qualification in Law at Carlisle College, travelling through one night a week for the next two years.

“The first part of my course lasted two years where the course content was to an A-level standard,” Kathryn went on. “And because law was one of my A-level subjects, I had a fair understanding of what we were learning. It really gave me a decent head start. In fact I was even exempt from one exam because I had already taken A-level law.

“It could be a long day when it came to travelling through to Carlisle to study after being in the office all day but I received great support from those at work. They really helped me through my training.

“I was able to take what I had learned through scenarios in the workplace and apply them to my studies; that would either be through experiential learning or knowledge-based learning.”

The second phase of her ILEX training also lasted two years and meant she became a Member of the Institute. Her learning was home-based with assignments sent out to her and she was able to take on more responsibility at work. The flexibility of the training also allowed Kathryn to choose four areas of study; two subject areas to be studied per year.

Kathryn said: “The second part of the training was set to degree level and was much more in depth. I was able to choose what I wanted to specialise in, and as I had worked in the conveyancing department from my first day and really enjoyed the nature of the work, I chose to specialise in land law, contract law, probate law and conveyancing.

“I became a qualified member of ILEX at the age of 23 but I didn’t want to stop there. I had my sights set on being a Fellow of the Institute, but to do so you must be over 25, have five years of employment under the supervision of a solicitor and pass certain examinations.”

Once Kathryn reached the right age, she had another two years’ experience under her belt and passed the necessary tests to become a fully-fledged Fellow. With this distinction she is able to carry out a role almost identical to a qualified solicitor.

On a day-to-day basis Kathryn can manage land applications to advising clients as a fee earner and as a Legal Executive she could go on to complete further training with even more opportunities within the profession.

“I could go on to train as a solicitor if I wished; the opportunity is always there for me to consider,” Kathryn, now a mother of two, continued. “I’ve been in the conveyancing department for the last ten years and I’ve enjoyed every minute.

“I’ve been able to learn and earn at the same time and I have no student debts to pay off. The legal profession is one which you are constantly learning from and I can safely say I have learned just as much through my everyday experience in the office as what I have through my official training.

“Milburns have paid for my training and supported me in so many ways and it’s important to highlight the fact there are places which will employ trainees and turning them into professionals without the need to go away to university.

“The fact that I’m a local working in the legal profession has meant I’ve been able to strike up a strong rapport with my clients and I also have a good knowledge of the area and the properties.

“The important thing to realise is that there are opportunities out there for people if you have the hunger and determination.”

Jim Wood, practice manager at Milburns Solicitors, said when Kathryn first started she was very focussed and knew where she wanted to be: “We saw something in her; she had the interest and the ability which is vital for a career in the legal profession,” he explained.

“To pass the Legal Executive training you need to encompass the experience of everyday work in the office with theoretical study and that’s just what Kathryn has done. Over the years she has been working here she has developed her ability to deal with people and her skill of interacting has flourished.

“However, it’s never too late to take further training or even train in a different role. We have had secretaries who have retrained as Legal Executives and we have supported them and invested in their career development. They return it with their commitment and hard work at Milburns.

“Investing in our staff is high on our agenda here; if we can grow our own staff, so-to-speak, who are used to the way Milburns operate then that is going to be hugely beneficial to us in the long run.”

RACHAEL Fleming began her career as a secretary in the Maryport office of Milburns Solicitors at only 16. A former pupil of Netherhall School, Rachael knew she wanted an office-based role but was unsure of the field she wanted to work in.

She is now in the early stages of her ILEX Professional Qualification in Law and has not looked back.

“After I finished my GCSEs I enrolled at Lakes College and began studying an NVQ in Business Administration,” she explained. “As part of the course we had to organise a placement so I went through numerous interviews and Milburns Solicitors was one of them. I was so pleased when they told me I would be starting with them.

“I was photocopying and filing at first but I was soon moved to work on reception where my role began to develop and I was progressing to typing up notes for the conveyancing department.

“The process of conveyancing became quite familiar to me and as I grew into the role I was able to discuss cases with clients such as updates and progressions.

“After my 18-month apprenticeship came to an end a position became available within Milburns and I was told I was to be kept on as a secretary.”

As time went on Rachael became more familiar with conveyancing practices and became a secretary to a Legal Executive.

In September 2006 Rachael started the ILEX Professional Qualification in Law. “At first I found it quite difficult as the course covers all areas of law but I had great support from my colleagues at work and if I was ever struggling on a certain topic they would offer advise and guidance,” she said. “I’m coming towards the end of the first part of the training and I’ll have to complete exams in May to be able to continue on to the next phase where I’ll be able to choose which subject area I want to specialise in.

“I’m going to be focussing on conveyancing. It’s an area of law I really enjoy.

“I’ve really enjoyed my ILEX training so far; obviously you have to be organised, be able to prioritise your work load and be confident with clients but the training has been an opportunity for me to further myself.”

Jim Wood, practice manager, explained how Rachael’s route was completely different to that of Kathryn’s but in the end both will have achieved the same outcome: “Rachael came to Milburns, saw the processes and technical aspect to the job and decided she wanted to train to Legal Executive level. Whereas Kathryn came to us with a definite goal in mind,” he said.

“After a short period of time we saw how skilled she was at dealing with clients and coping in a legal environment so we knew it was a good idea to send her through ILEX training.

“It really benefits our Maryport clients to see a familiar face in the office and obviously, as Rachael is from Maryport, her knowledge of the area benefits herself when it comes to work.”