Employer of the year

Irwin Mitchell Solicitors were today named Law Firm Employer of the Year in the 2006 Paralegal Awards. The Award, in conjunction with the Commission for Racial Equality and supported by the Department for Constitutional Affairs, was awarded for Irwin Mitchell's commitment to providing quality work, support, recognition and training to their paralegal staff which the judging panel said was "second to none". The panel also said that the standards that the firm expected in return "reflect the standards that the Paralegal profession aspires to".

Paralegal is the term used to describe non-lawyers who do legal work - regardless of their job title. There are estimated to be half-a-million paralegals in the UK, individuals who spend a significant amount of time applying, administering, interpreting, monitoring, enforcing or advising on the law.

Head of Training & Development at Irwin Mitchell, Sue Lenkowski, said "I am delighted that the firm has been recognised in this way. This award recognises the investment the firm has made in training and development and the dedication of the team here at Irwin Mitchell who work tirelessly to ensure that all members of staff reach their potential. Our Paralegals are an integral part of the firm and we are thrilled to be recognised in this way."

Sue continued "We believe in recruiting the best people and recognising them for their full range of abilities. This is what every member of Irwin Mitchell should expect, and it is also what makes sense for us as a business."

Senior Partner at Irwin Mitchell, Michael Napier CBE QC, said "This welcome award recognises our commitment to diversity and to the career development of everyone at Irwin Mitchell regardless of background or qualifications. We are as proud of our paralegals as we are of all the 1900 people that make up the richly diverse law firm that Irwin Mitchell is today."