CILEx Student to Partner with Simon Rees

1) Please provide us with a bit of your background Simon

For me it was a toss of a coin decision at school (law or music) that saw me go into the forces as a musician aged 17 with no A’levels and no degree. 9 years later I start CILEx. I left the forces and started as a paralegal in 1998, qualified in 2003 and haven’t looked back.

I was going to cross qualify as a solicitor, but the opportunities as a Chartered Legal Executive kept increasing, and there was no need to cross qualify. I’m now 17 years post qualified, a Grade “A” fee earner (Solicitors Guideline Hourly rates).

I did various roles including Civil litigation, IT project manager, as a trainer at a firm I taught lawyers essential skills for their job specialising in information security, data protection and client confidentiality.

I set up my own law firm from scratch a few years ago as managing partner, I was one of the first 100 FCILEx to make partner (we had a reception at the House of Commons - get us!), been head of department (partner level position) in a national law firm and now operations manager in a large national firm responsible for andsupervising a department of circa 60 people including supervising several Solicitors who I manage.

I have also started a training centre called Rees Legal to help and support more people who are currently studying.

2) Why did you chose the CILEx route to qualification?

CILEx because of the toss of a coin at school. I wanted to work in law, but after 9 years in the forces didn’t want to/couldn’t afford to come out of employment and go to uni for 3+ years then have the competition of the training contract process. Found out about ILEX (as it was then) which allowed part time study and earn while you learn. The rest is history.

As mentioned previously, I always intended to cross qualify as a solicitor, but upon attaining Fellowship of the Institute, the barriers started to fall, allowing me access to partnership, judicial appointment, grade A fee earner status, advocacy rights, etc.

3) How has CILEx changed now from when you did?

CILEx is now chartered, it was just “ILEX“ when I did it. It has also become more regulated (in a good way), giving people who qualify the ability to say that they have had rigorous client care and legal research skills, at least on a par with those who have gone through the LPC. For example, previously, one had to just complete 12 months’ employment after qualification to attain fellowship.

CILEx qualified individuals can be grade “A” lawyers, advocates, partners, judges. The world is your oyster.

4) What was the hardest part of your career and how did you get through it?

Juggling work and study was the hardest part after a hard day’s slog, hitting the books was not appealing. Especially after 9 years away from education. Determination and routine were how I dealt with it.

5) Your top tips for current CILEx students who are

studying?

Top tip is keep at it. So many times I wondered whether it

would ever be worth it. I now earn over five times what I did when I first started in the law and I am able to look back with some pride on my journeyin the hope that it is of some small inspiration to others.

Even the longest of journeys to the best of destinations begins with a small tentative step. Take the step.

6) Advice for those looking for jobs in the legal sector

Be commercially aware.

As an employer I am most impressed by people’s knowledge and understanding of what the firm does as its core business, issues impacting on the viability of the business.

Approach the work more like a business personthan a lawyer when required, but have the ability to know the law and apply it where appropriate.

Finally (and I’m fully aware of how unpopular this might be, and say this with firsthand experience of having been exactly what I’m about to say not to be) do not emphasise your qualification too much in the expectation that this will impress an employer, or give rise to an automatic pay rise.

Employers are most impressed and likely to give a job/pay rise in light of a demonstrable track record of solid commercial performance, not a piece of paper that says that you can remember facts for some two hour exams.

And work hard, keep going!