A South Essex law firm has been praised for its efforts in championing the paralegals amongst its team of lawyers.
Palmers Solicitors, which has offices in Basildon, Rayleigh, Thurrock and South Woodham Ferrers, has been shortlisted in the Paralegal Development category at the National Paralegal Awards.
The awards celebrate the achievements of paralegals and the firms that employ them across England and Wales.
Paralegals are legal professionals who are not usually qualified solicitors or legal executives, but who have been trained to advise and assist clients on specific areas of law, generally working alongside a solicitor.
Palmers has supported and developed a number of its paralegals along their career paths as lawyers, and has used the paralegal route to facilitate access to the highest levels of the business, both in terms of client service and advice, and in other areas of the business. Two of the firm’s partners and the Practice Manager originally joined the firm in paralegal and support roles.
The rigorous judging process for the awards saw Palmers make a detailed written submission to the independent judging panel setting out its efforts to recruit and train paralegals to a high standard, including offering opportunities to talented school-leavers.
Carey Jacobs, a partner at Palmers, said: “Paralegals are a hugely important component of our business, providing high levels of client service while benefiting from a clear career structure that can ultimately see them join the partnership.
“We are delighted that we have been shortlisted in the Paralegal Development category and to have received this important recognition for the firm in terms of its commitment to all of our staff and for the achievements of our dedicated and hard-working team of paralegals.”
The winners of the National Paralegal Awards will be announced at a ceremony on Friday 27 March 2020 at a glittering ceremony at London’s Grand Connaught Rooms.