2009 Pro Bono Prize to 'Outstanding' Lawyer, Philip
Warford
Brighton based legal executive lawyer receives Institute
of Legal Executives’ annual award in recognition of exceptional
charity and fund raising work.
The Institute of Legal Executives (ILEX) has awarded its 2009
Pro Bono Medal to Brighton legal executive Philip Warford. Philip
has been honoured by ILEX in recognition of the outstanding level
of work he has undertaken for charities, such as the mental health
charity MENCAP and Age Concern, over the past year and for his
commitment to raising money for charities and helping individuals
with unpaid legal advice.
Philip was selected for the medal following a unanimous vote by
the judges. He received it from the President of ILEX at the Annual
Presidential Luncheon on the 3rd June at the Clothworkers’ Hall in
the City of London.
Philip, who entered the legal profession following an approach
from a law firm whilst he was studying for a non-legal BTEC
qualification, feels honoured to be receiving this year’s prize –
“It’s always great to be honoured for work you enjoy doing and I’m
pleased that my efforts help the charities to keep providing their
excellent service.
“Also, I’d like to thank ILEX, as without them I wouldn’t be
working either as a legal executive or undertaking this type of
charity work today. Through the ILEX learning structure, where I
took my course in evening classes and correspondence, I was able to
learn on the job and gain my qualifications in the best environment
to suit me. Like many people I didn’t want to go through University
and the ILEX option was the perfect solution – and judging by this
award I obviously made the right choice.”
Judith Gordon-Nichols, President of ILEX, commented, “It’s an
absolute pleasure to give our 2009 Pro Bono Medal to Philip. He is
an outstanding individual whose unpaid work has made a real
difference to many charities. Similarly his unstinting assistance
to people who might otherwise have little or no recourse to good
quality legal advice is remarkable.
“Our Pro Bono Medal is designed to recognise those who sacrifice
their own time to assist organisations or individuals with legal
advice. Philip’s work for charities epitomises that initiative and
he is a brilliant example of how the legal profession can assist
and make a difference to the third sector.”
Clair Lucy of MENCAP, who nominated Philip is delighted he has
been honoured in this way – “Philip has devoted a lot of time and
hard work to helping us and we are thrilled to see him receive this
award. He hosts lectures for parents of our clients on their
financial planning and related issues, to ensure they know all
about how the law works when dealing with issues such as trustees
and power of attorney issues. This advice is invaluable and he
really makes a difference, both to the families and to MENCAP,
ensuring we can go on supporting people with learning disabilities
and their families and carers. If Philip was to tally the time cost
of the pro bono work he does each year it would run into tens of
thousands of pounds. Always happy, always professional and always
appreciated by clients, Philip’s service is second to none”
Now working towards the launch of his own, specialist private
client law firm, Philip’s accomplishments and pro bono activities
look set to continue to grow for years to come.