11 February 2011
Remember to enter the Minority Lawyer Awards
The Institute of Legal Executives is reminding its members to
enter the Minority Lawyers’ Awards which will be presented on 8
April 2011, ahead of this year’s Minority Lawyers’ Conference (MLC)
which starts the following day.
Organised by the Institute of Legal Executives (ILEX), the Law
Society and the Bar Council, the conference brings together Black
Asian Minority Ethnic (BAME) lawyers and those with an interest in
the promotion of diversity in the profession. The aim of the
conference is to celebrate the achievements of Black and Asian
lawyers in the profession and explore the issues that impact upon
BAME lawyers and develop a leadership agenda.
The Minority Lawyers’ Awards are designed to recognise success
and inspire those in the profession to aim high. This year they
recognise that BAME members of the legal profession make a valuable
contribution to the ever changing legal landscape of England and
Wales and will acknowledge those individuals or organisations that
are already shaping the future of the profession through their
dedication, hard work and sheer determination to increase diversity
and inclusion in the legal sector.
Harbens Kaur, won the 'Against the Odds' Award in 2009, becoming
the first Legal Executive to be recognised in this way: “It was a
really fantastic feeling to know that my position within the
profession was appreciated and recognised in this way.” said
Harbens “Winning this award as an ILEX Lawyer allowed me to show my
capabilities as an equal to Solicitors and Barristers, especially
in terms of the knowledge and dedication that my role was being
recognised for.
“This meant a great deal to me, as after many years of effort
and dedication to my ILEX studies, my achievements were being
rewarded.”
Harbens hopes more ILEX members will enter this year: “I would
truly encourage fellow ILEX members to enter this year’s awards.
Promotion and recognition of your achievements can only be a good
thing and it is vital that the contribution you make as an ILEX
Lawyer does not go unnoticed!”
The awards fall into five categories:
Against All Odds: This category is open to individuals who have
overcome significant challenges and/or personal adversity to
successfully enter and establish their chosen legal career.
Mentoring - Encouraging Minority Lawyers: Open to
individuals, firms, organisations or chambers, this award
recognises those that have used mentors in order to encourage
minority lawyers.
Advocacy in the Face of Adversity: This award is intended to
recognise an individual barrister, solicitor or legal executive who
has successfully undertaken a legally significant case or a case
considered to have little chance of success where the best
interests of the clients have been promoted and protected
fearlessly and where the aim of achieving justice has been pursued
irrespective of the finance or other resources available.
Diversity - Less Talk More Action: The award that means what it
says! This is an award that recognises an individual or
organisation that has worked in a determined way to improve
diversity in the legal profession and whose actions have made a
measurable difference.
2011 Minority Lawyers’ Conference
Embracing Change – New Award: Recognises those who have stepped
up to the challenges that change in the legal profession presents.
It will recognise the development of innovative and creative
business solutions which have utilised the opportunities inherent
in a changing circumstances.
Head of Corporate Affairs at ILEX, Helen Simpson, said: “ILEX
lawyers play a vital role in delivering high quality legal services
to a diverse range of clients. Many of our members have overcome
various hurdles to achieve their ambitions or have worked hard to
ensure minority groups receive the legal representation to which
they are entitled. Either way, by entering these awards you will
not only have the opportunity to be recognised for your work, but
you will also help to encourage others from all backgrounds to
enter our profession, and bring about even more diversity”
The deadline for entries is 5.00pm on Friday 4 March 2011.
ENDS