CEL Solicitors is pleased to announce that solicitor, David Whelan, has been shortlisted for the Rising Star Award at the Legal Awards.
The Legal Awards brings together and honours firms and individuals of the Liverpool City Region. Held by the Liverpool Law Society, the awards ceremony celebrates the talent and growth of its nominees and showcases the strength of the local legal community.
The Rising Star Award, which recognises trailblazers in the legal profession, will be announced at the awards ceremony which will take place Thursday, 10th November at the Society’s Annual Dinner.
David’s Legal Journey
David Whelan is a newly qualified solicitor at CEL Solicitors and a member of the Law Society Junior Lawyers Division.
After obtaining a 1st class Law degree from the University of Liverpool and a distinction in the LPC from Liverpool John Moores University, David joined CEL Solicitors. He was quickly selected for a training contract as he was one of the firm’s most versatile paralegals, turning his hand to multiple claim types and helping to develop new legal areas.
David recently completed his training contract in October and will continue his journey at CEL Solicitors as an Associate Solicitor.
Going Above and Beyond
David works on a range of claim types at CEL Solicitors, including data breaches, fraud, Japanese knotweed, breach of contract, product liability, and private nuisance/ flooding claims.
Alongside this, David was heavily involved in setting up the car finance claims service area for the firm. David demonstrated leadership in his role when initially researching the area, drafting the first letters of claim, and setting up the workflow. He now supervises other staff members’ letters, gaining experience in a supervisory capacity.
David has also been extremely instrumental in developing one of CEL Solicitors’ newest service areas, mis-sold doorstep loans. He researched, developed, and settled the firm’s first case, and subsequently went on to publicise the case.
One area that David particularly excels in and helps CEL Solicitors gain an impressive reputation is data breach claims. He has settled serious data breach cases which have generated national press coverage. David’s press release quotes have received coverage in over 27 regional titles from Hull to Plymouth and everywhere in between.
David’s Star Quality
David stands out due to his continued hard work and dedication to the firm. He has been selected as the firm’s ‘Star of the Month’ more times than anyone else and always goes above and beyond when helping others.
A true rising star, David was nominated – by his fellow staff members – as CEL Solicitor’s ‘Star of the Year’ for 2021, with comments including:
‘Dave is constantly going above and beyond for the firm. I believe Dave would be an inspiration to any young aspiring lawyer and will make an excellent solicitor!’
‘Dave has impressed me with his knowledge and immense work ethic. He is so committed to his job and the firm and is a real asset.’
‘David is one of the most approachable people in the firm. No matter the question, he has an answer. Always friendly and a hard worker.’
Commenting on the award nomination, Jessica Hampson, Owner and Director at CEL Solicitors, said:
“David is a one-in-a-million type of lawyer, litigation just runs in his blood. I have never been so impressed by a young lawyer’s tenacity for justice, hunger to learn, and immense drive. When we pull the statistics, David does the work of 3 lawyers, I honestly do not know when he sleeps. He has worked across multiple disciplines and on multi-million-pound cases as well as group actions up to the supreme court level. What David has accomplished already as a newly qualified solicitor is completely admirable. David has built an impeccable reputation inside and outside of the firm as a solid closer to complex litigation. Watch this space.”
