When Holly Hale first set out to study law, she followed the traditional route many aspiring lawyers take: A Levels followed by an LLB Law degree. Thrilled to have secured a place at the University of Kent, she left her home in South Wales full of excitement and determination. But life at university didn’t unfold as planned.
Behind the scenes, Holly was struggling with her mental health. The academic pressure, distance from home, and rigid structure of university life began to take their toll. Eventually, she made the difficult decision to leave her course and return home — a moment she describes as one of the hardest of her life.
“At the time, I felt like a failure,” Holly recalls. “I thought all my hard work had been wasted. But what I didn’t know then was that my legal career was still very much alive — I just hadn’t found the right path yet.”
Finding CILEX and a Second Chance
Back home, Holly took short-term roles to build her confidence and skills, first in a call centre and then at DAS Law as a Motor Claims Handler. While there, she discovered the CILEX pathway and realised it could offer exactly what she needed: flexibility, affordability, and the chance to gain real legal experience alongside her studies.
At 22, Holly self-funded her CILEX Level 3 Certificate in Law and Practice, later progressing to Level 6 to become an MCILEX Advanced Paralegal. This route gave her the ability to learn at her own pace while working full-time and managing her health.
CILEX also opened the door to her first legal role. After gaining experience in DAS Law’s employment team, she moved into employment tribunal work, supported by a mentor who encouraged her to take on drafting tasks and apply for a paralegal role. It was here Holly discovered her passion for employment law — an area she continues to specialise in today.
Building a Career in Employment Law
Over the years, Holly has built an impressive career, progressing from legal assistant to advanced paralegal and gaining experience in complex employment cases including whistleblowing, discrimination, TUPE disputes, and group litigation. In 2022, she joined Watkins & Gunn, where she is now a valued member of the employment law team.
“Without CILEX, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” Holly reflects. “It gave me a practical way into law when the traditional path didn’t work for me. It allowed me to earn while I learned, and ultimately gave me the confidence and skills to specialise.”
Watkins & Gunn have since supported Holly in completing the final stages of her qualification as a Chartered Legal Executive. Having submitted her work-based learning portfolio, she is now on track to achieve full qualification.
Giving Back and Advocating for Change
Beyond casework, Holly is passionate about giving back to the profession and improving mental health awareness within it. She serves as Pro Bono Champion at Watkins & Gunn and sits on the national Pro Bono Connect Advisory Committee, helping to shape access to justice initiatives.
Within the firm, she has played an active role in “Wellness and Gunn,” a wellbeing group that promotes mental health support in the workplace. Drawing on her own experiences, Holly has spoken openly about the challenges of working in law while managing mental health, determined to be the supportive voice she once needed herself.
Recognition and the Road Ahead
In 2025, Holly’s dedication was recognised nationally when she was shortlisted for both National Paralegal of the Year and Paralegal of the Year – Wales at the National Paralegal Awards. For Holly, this recognition represents much more than professional achievement.
“To be shortlisted feels like a milestone in my journey — a reminder of how far I’ve come since dropping out of university. It shows what’s possible when you find the right path and stay resilient.”
Looking ahead, Holly is focused on qualifying as a Chartered Legal Executive and continuing to mentor and inspire others who may be unsure about their place in the legal profession.
A Message for Aspiring Lawyers
To anyone considering the CILEX route, Holly has simple advice:
“Go for it. CILEX is flexible, affordable, and respected. It allows you to build real-world experience while studying and gives you control over the pace of your journey. For me, it opened doors I thought had closed. It gave me a second chance, and it can do the same for you.”
Holly’s story is one of resilience, perseverance, and proof that there is more than one route into law. By forging her own path with CILEX, she has not only built a successful career but is also helping shape a more supportive and accessible profession for the future.