Member Spotlight: Why Katie chose CILEX as an alternative route into law

After graduating with an LLB and taking time out to travel, Katie Pinnell was preparing to follow the traditional LPC route into the legal profession. However, after beginning her career in a conveyancing firm and working alongside several CILEX lawyers, she discovered there was another path available.

Seeing first-hand the success of Legal Executives convinced Katie that CILEX offered a practical and financially viable route to qualification.

Today, Katie is a Conveyancing Partner at Harrison Drury and says she has "no regrets" about choosing CILEX.

Throughout her studies, Katie developed strong technical knowledge in conveyancing, which she continues to build through Continuing Professional Development (CPD). Alongside the legal knowledge gained through qualification, she credits CILEX with helping her develop valuable professional skills, including networking, confidence and public speaking as her career has progressed.

Katie has also found lasting value in CILEX membership itself.

"It's both reassuring and helpful being part of an organisation that represents us as a group, informs us of all changes and developments and ultimately acts in our best interests."

Having spent 20 years with her previous firm, Katie didn't need to make extensive use of CILEX's career services, but says CILEX CPD has been an invaluable part of maintaining her professional development, helping her record and track learning throughout the year.

For anyone considering a legal career, Katie believes CILEX is well worth exploring.

"CILEX qualifications will give you what you need in your chosen area of law, it is worth considering as an alternative to qualifying as a solicitor, which is much more expensive and, in some areas, (such as conveyancing) unnecessary."

She also believes the expertise of CILEX professionals is sometimes underestimated.

"Many Legal Executives are considered experts in their fields. A litigation solicitor once told me that he most feared coming up against Legal Executives as opponents for this very reason!"

Katie's journey demonstrates that there is more than one route to a successful legal career. By choosing CILEX, she was able to qualify in a way that suited her circumstances while developing the technical expertise and professional skills that have helped her progress to Partner.