Legal profession bids farewell to CILEx chief

Image left to right: Lord Neuberger, Diane Burleigh and Frances Edwards

The chief executive and honorary fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx), Diane Burleigh OBE, has been honoured with a surprise event to mark 16 years of leading the organisation.

Past and present heads of the legal profession, parliamentarians, regulators, lawyers and legal charities assembled to bid farewell to Burleigh, who is set to retire at the end of 2014 after more than 44 years in the legal sector. Mandie Lavin will take up the vacant chief executive post in the New Year.

Speaking at the event, which was held at the Foundling Museum in London, the CILEx president, Frances Edwards, said: "Diane leaves behind a chartered institute that is best placed to build on the developments she has achieved. On behalf of all CILEx's presidents, council members, staff, our members, and the public, I want to thank you for your dedicated, unswerving passion and commitment to CILEx and the legal profession."

Also in attendance was the president of the Supreme Court, Lord Neuberger, who praised Burleigh's work: "The striking growth and success of CILEx in recent years, which has greatly contributed to the rule of law and diversity, is in very large measure attributable to Diane Burleigh, who demonstrated commitment, determination, good judgement and effectiveness, all to a high degree, throughout her time as chief executive."

Responding to the praise, Burleigh said: "I would like to say thank you to those who have seen me through my career. It's been a wonderful 16 years and you are all here because you are friends of CILEx, you've given CILEx immense support, immense encouragement, and shared your wisdom with us. Thank you."

John van der Luit-Drummond is legal reporter for Solicitors Journal