Solicitor Case Study

Stephen Gowland, F.Inst.L.Ex. – Solicitor

“When I am in court and have to declare who I am, I say I am Legal Executive and a Solicitor.”

“My career as a Legal Executive started when I saw an advert for an employment training scheme whilst I was doing ‘A’ levels and thought that heading down a definite career path like ILEX was a better option than University as I would avoid the large debts. The ILEX working full-time and studying part-time route meant that by the time I qualified I had a lot more experience than a Solicitor who had just finished their 2 year training contract. When I finished the ILEX Level 6 qualification, I studied 3 extra core subjects part-time at Northumbria University, whilst working as a Legal Executive.

“I have dealt with some very high profile cases defending the police in civil actions and dealing with major sexual abuse matters for local authorities, in addition to coping with the publicity generated.

“I am proud to have letters after my name as I really feel I have achieved something. The exams were hard work but because of this the qualification means more to me. When asked, I do say that the ILEX exams seemed so much harder than the additional exams I had to take to qualify as a Solicitor.

“Having qualified as a Legal Executive, I then decided to qualify as a Solicitor by studying the LPC full-time at Northumbria University for nine months. I decided to do this because, at the time, Solicitors were granted more Rights of Audience and could also get higher wages, although I am pleased to see that this is now changing. When I am in court and have to declare who I am, I always say I am Legal Executive and a Solicitor.”

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Lucy Cooling, F.Inst.L.Ex. - Solicitor

Lucy Cooling is a Legal Executive and a solicitor.  She is also a remarkable young lady who has demonstrated determination, staying power and a strong drive to succeed in her chosen career. Even when she was in school, Lucy knew she wanted to be a lawyer.

Though she had gained a place at Coventry University to study law, she bravely decided that university life was not for her. Nevertheless, she was still determined on a career in law, so looked at the alternatives to the university route to enable her to fulfil her ambition.

The Institute of Legal Executives (ILEX) could offer that alternative through part-time study through evening classes at Burton-upon-Trent College, which was the nearest college to her native Tamworth, as the local college did not offer courses at that time.

To gain legal experience while studying and to be able to ‘earn and learn’, Lucy looked for a job in the legal environment and was offered a post as a junior secretary in the Birmingham law firm, Martineau Johnson. Although this gave her a foothold in the legal world, the job clashed with her college commitments and she had to put her academic studies on hold, again something she was able to do through ILEX.

But all was not lost. With the help and assistance of her employer, Lucy restarted her law studies at Sutton Coldfield College. Over the next two years Lucy was able to study and also progress through the firm to legal assistant, which for the first time enabled her to become a fee earner in the company. Her studies continued for four years, latterly through a distance learning course via the ILEX Tutorial College(ITC). She qualified as a Legal Executive Fellow in June 2004 and in the meantime had moved on to become a full-time fee earner within the Private Client Department of Martineau Johnson.

Understandably, it was time from a break in studying. But Lucy wanted to qualify as a solicitor as well, again something was possible through ILEX. With further support from her employer a course at De Montfort University followed, using distance learning and weekend courses, which led to a Graduate Diploma in Law. The final step in her education was a sabbatical year from the office to complete her LPC at Birmingham College of Law.   

Lucy says her legal career would not have been possible without the qualifications offered by ILEX. “The ILEX route is not a soft option. It does require commitment and staying power, but the flexibility and variety and range of courses on offer from ILEX means that you can fit your studies to suit your personal circumstances. I am also fortunate to have had great support from my employer, something I will always remain grateful for. There were times when studying was hard, but it was nice to know that I had that support from my firm, that  others could see potential in me and that support made it worthwhile.”  

The icing on the cake came last year when Lucy was nominated by her employer for the Birmingham Law Society Legal Executive of the Year 2007. She made the shortlist and as she says, “It was a big surprise when I won.”

Would she recommend the ILEX route to others? ” Yes, even knowing what I know now, I would still do the courses. I think that ILEX offers a really good opportunity for a career in law. All the time you are training, you are gaining experience in the legal environment, which gives you a head start on others who have taken the university route to their qualifications.”

And the future? ” I have every intention to continue with membership of ILEX, I am happy enjoying my job and my work in a firm that values me.”