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From office junior to business owner and one of CILEX’s first Chartered Paralegals, Claire Miller’s career has taken a route she never could have predicted. Now, as the newest member of the CILEX Professional Board, she is bringing her experience, curiosity and a fresh perspective to help shape the future of the profession.
Sometimes the most rewarding careers are the ones we never planned.
For Claire Miller, becoming a legal professional was certainly not part of a carefully mapped-out career plan. In fact, she freely admits that she “sort of fell into it”.
Today, Claire runs her own business, Langton Genealogy, in the north-west, specialising in genealogy and working on intestacy matters. She is also a CILEX Chartered Paralegal and, as one of the first cohort to achieve the qualification, has a unique perspective on the opportunities available to legal professionals outside traditional routes into law.
Now, she is taking that experience one step further following her appointment to the CILEX Professional Board.
From office junior to business owner
Claire’s career began through a YTS training scheme – the equivalent of today’s apprenticeships – before she became an office junior.
“I was very fortunate that the firm I worked for was proactive in training me in all areas.” She explains. “I worked across office administration, accounts, credit control and stock control before progressing into customer services and credit control.”
She later moved into the Civil Service, but a significant change in her personal circumstances ultimately set her on the path to becoming a business owner.
Following close family bereavements, Claire was unable to return to work after having her youngest daughter. While it was an incredibly difficult period for her family, it also led to an unexpected opportunity.
“I originally set up my business after some close family bereavements. Without those events, I would never have made the decision to start my own company.”
Starting out as a genealogist, Claire soon found herself working increasingly on intestacy matters. A colleague initially supported her with the legal aspects of her work, while Claire began building her own knowledge through training and self-directed learning.
“I was able to start to educate myself and do some training, and my knowledge organically grew from there.”
That curiosity and commitment to learning would become a defining feature of Claire’s career.
Finding CILEX – and discovering what was possible
Although Claire had heard of CILEX, she never initially imagined that membership was an option for her.
Having left school with minimal qualifications, she assumed she would not be eligible to join the Institute.
Her route to CILEX came through the acquisition of the Institute of Paralegals, which Claire had joined in 2020. It ultimately opened the door to Chartered Paralegal status and gave her a professional identity that reflected the experience and expertise she had built throughout her career.
“Being a member of CILEX has given me an inclusive community,” says Claire. “As someone who works in an area of law which is not regulated, it has been really helpful to become a CILEX member, giving my clients and colleagues peace of mind.”
For Claire, her own experience demonstrates why accessible and flexible routes into the legal profession matter.
Her career hasn’t followed a conventional path – and that’s precisely why she believes there is value in creating opportunities for people with different backgrounds, experiences and ambitions.
A new perspective for the Professional Board
Claire admits she nearly didn’t apply for a position on the CILEX Professional Board.
It was a conversation with one of the existing Board members that encouraged her to give it a go.
“I thought I’d give it a try…I’m so glad I did.”
After completing her interview, Claire assumed that was probably the end of the process. So, receiving the news that she had been appointed came as a genuine surprise.
“I finished my interview thinking, ‘well, that’s that’, and was thrilled to be contacted shortly after to be told I was a Professional Board Member.”
Her appointment is significant not only personally, but also for the perspective she brings to the Board.
“I think I bring a whole new perspective. I’m the only Paralegal to be appointed, which is special for me. It also means that the Board will get a completely different outlook on things, which I am sure will be very useful.”
It’s a perspective shaped by experience, as a Chartered Paralegal, business owner, career changer and someone who took a non-traditional route into the profession.
Looking ahead
Claire joins the Professional Board at an important time for CILEX, as the organisation embarks on its new five-year strategy and looks ahead to the future of the legal profession.
She sees significant opportunities ahead for both CILEX and its members.
“I think that this time is a time for real change for CILEX as an organisation, which brings real opportunity for our members.”
One area Claire is particularly passionate about is education and the potential of blended learning.
“I’m looking forward to working with CILEX Law School. I believe that blended learning is something that is very important to our members and would like to see it being made more widely available.”
For Claire, supporting members means recognising that everyone’s circumstances are different, and that professional development needs to work around real lives, careers and commitments.
Her advice? Stay curious
That philosophy also comes through in the advice Claire would give to anyone beginning their CILEX journey.
Her message is simple: take your time, explore your options and don’t be afraid to ask questions.
“Take a good look at all the options before you start your journey. Make sure you ask as many questions as you can along the way and be realistic about how much work you can take on; slow and steady wins the race.”
It is advice that reflects her own career journey – one built incrementally through learning, experience and adapting to change.
Claire believes one of the biggest lessons she has learned is that the future doesn’t always look the way you imagined it would.
“What you want to do or be when you are a young person might not be the same as when you are older. Priorities and family dynamics change. I think it’s important to embrace the changes; they can lead to really good things.”
Her own career is perhaps the perfect example.
Never stop learning
Away from work and the Professional Board, Claire enjoys reading, crochet and cross-stitch. But perhaps fittingly for someone whose career has been shaped by curiosity, her favourite piece of advice is to stay curious.
“Someone once told me to stay curious; that we never stop learning, and I’ve held that true throughout my career.”
For Claire, not having all the answers isn’t something to be worried about; it’s an opportunity.
“I think it’s OK to not have all the answers, but to be honest about that, put in the work to find the necessary answers or find someone who can help.”
That mindset has taken Claire from office junior to business owner, from genealogist to Chartered Paralegal, award winner and now to the CILEX Professional Board.
And as she begins her new role, she is ready to use that experience to support members, contribute a different perspective, champion the CILEX route and help shape what comes next for CILEX and the wider profession.
We’re delighted to welcome Claire to the CILEX Professional Board and look forward to the contributions she will make to the CILEX community and the profession.