Legal PA of the Year Award

Author: ILSPA

We are continually delighted with the feedback we receive from our Students. One of our past Students, Miss Georgie Theobald, cited her Legal Secretaries Diploma as an invaluable step towards performing well as a Legal Secretary. She has further proved this by winning the Legal PA of the Year Award with Secs in the city! What an inspiring achievement to read about for our burgeoning Legal Secretaries.

The PA of the Year awards were founded by Secs in the city to provide recognition for the hard work and professionalism performed by PAs. Each year the organisation receives nominations for dedicated PAs throughout the country who are seen to be deserving of this noteworthy accolade. Secs in the city received over 400 entries last year with categories such as Legal PA of the Year, Social Media PA of the Year, PA of the Year as well as an Outstanding Achievement category.

Georgie gained a Merit on ILSPA’s Legal Secretaries Diploma in 2015 and has found the course to be of great benefit to her in her career. Speaking to Georgie gave us insight into how she gained this extraordinary award. It was wonderful to hear what she had to say about both her award and her studies with ILSPA.

Why were you nominated for the Legal PA of the Year award?

I was nominated by a Senior Barrister I work with and didn’t actually know I had been nominated until I was shortlisted. The reason that they nominated me was because they said I’m the glue to the team, I hold everything and everyone together, from the admin, to the actual work on the cases, to the small things like making sure everyone has had lunch and getting them a sandwich if not. According to my team, I look at it as more than just a job and no matter what I do, I give it my all; however, I still feel like I just do my job! It’s what I’m supposed to do being a Legal PA - assist my directors! It’s really nice to hear such lovely comments. 

How does it feel to gain such a prestigious title?

I feel very overwhelmed and humble. As I previously said, I feel like I have only done what I am supposed to do and been given an award for simply doing my job. I didn't think anyone even noticed the late nights and early mornings. I’m very grateful and feel it’s one of my biggest achievements. I can’t thank the judges, the person who nominated me, the sponsors of the awards and everyone else who’s involved enough. 

How did your studies through ILSPA help you in your career?

My studies with ILSPA helped an awful lot, more than anything, and I am so glad I did it. The lectures and course work are very in-depth, as is the testing; it’s not a case of a very short course that you forget after a while. It gives you a great concept of the legal world and the work you are actually assisting with. My legal knowledge expanded hugely after my studies; I still refer back to my course work now and remember stuff I was taught by the wonderful Amanda. When a contract comes in the post now, I can do more than just pick it up, scan it and let my director know it’s arrived. I can actually check it, make sure it’s all in order and has everything it needs, and request amendments if need be; in fact, I can even draft contracts now and that's just a small example of the difference it has made to me. My confidence also improved, which helped me to start my career within a city firm, and the wonderful portfolio of all your hard work is great for interviews; rather than saying what you can do, you can actually show what you have done. It’s recognised by many city firms; I would recommend it to anyone.

We are very proud of Georgie’s fantastic achievement; to congratulate her we have admitted her to lifetime Membership of the Institute. We thank her for being such a positive role model for our Students and encourage our Students to take note, that as long as you commit yourself to your role you never know who will recognise the difference you make. Going above and beyond what is expected of you is always regarded highly. With the right attitude and perseverance it could be you on next year’s list!