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Latest newsNew Family Law Surgeries LaunchedAugust 25th 2009 Family Law Specialists from Kirby Simcox Solicitor are launching a new surgery in Brislington for clients needing advice on a full range of family legal issues. Kirby Simcox, which has one of the largest dedicated family teams in the region, will hold the twice weekly surgeries in the offices of Fussell Wright Solicitors in 105,
The team will be on hand to help people who have family issues including, divorce and relationship breakdowns, civil partnerships, adoption, domestic violence and a full range of children issues. Legal aid will be available for those clients who are eligible. Commenting on the new service Partner and head of Kirby Simcox’s family team Jim Gridley said, “People in Brislington currently have limited access to family law specialists and therefore we felt it was important to provide a legal surgery in their area. Our team will be able to provide advice and support to people on the complete range of family issues.” Anyone wishing to take advantage of the new family law surgery should book an appointment by telephoning 0117 9192410 or calling into the offices of Fussell Wright.
New AssociatesMay 11th 2009
James joined Kirby Simcox’s Queen Square Office in December 2006 having previously worked for Beviss & Beckingsale in Honiton and Cross and Crosse in Exeter. Since joining Kirby Simcox, James has worked within its commercial team providing employment law, civil litigation and personal injury services.
Jeremy Johnson joined Kirby Simcox in March 2007 as part of its commercial conveyancing team. He had previously worked at Metcalfes Solicitors. Having lived and worked in the South West all his life, Jeremy has extensive knowledge of the region’s commercial property market.
Commenting on the two promotions Kirby Simcox’s Managing Partner Amanda Firth said, “The current climate is obviously difficult, so to ensure we continue to develop strongly as a business it is important to have a team of young talented lawyers within the firm. We are therefore delighted that Jeremy and James have joined our Associate team.”
Kirby Simcox has been based in Bristol since the 1960s. The firm employs approximately 65 people and has offices in Queen Square, Kingswood and Thornbury.
Photocaption: Civil litigation and employment solicitor James Bell (left) and commercial conveyancing Solicitor Jeremy Johnson have been promoted to Associates at Kirby Simcox Solicitors.
Senior Partner RetiresApril 8th 2009  After 43 years in the legal profession, Bill Owen of Kirby Simcox Solicitors is retiring as Senior Partner but is to continue to work with the firm as a Consultant. After qualifying in London, Bill, came to Bristol in 1968 to join Sinnott Wood near College Green, where he went on to became partner in 1969. Later he amalgamated with Peter Wilkinson’s firm and they practiced as Watson Sinnott until 1995 when they merged with Kirby Simcox. Bill Owen was made Senior Partner of Kirby Simcox in 2005. The firm now has 60 employees based in its three offices in Queen Square in Bristol, Kingswood and Thornbury.
Bill specialises in Employment and Property work and has sat on the Employment Tribunal as a part-time chairman for the last 15 years.
In the run up to his retirement Bill has taken time to reflect on the many changes he has witnessed in the legal profession during his career. He said, “In the 43 years since I began my career there have been some incredible changes in the profession. In particular the growth in size of firms in Bristol has been amazing. At Kirby Simcox we currently have 60 employees but there were no firms in Bristol in the 1960s who were anywhere near that size. When I started out there were 20,000 Solicitors in England and Wales. Now there are more than 100,000 Solicitors and legal practices have become huge organisations.”
“Another big change is that 40 years ago the law was a completely male dominated profession. In most firms the only women were secretaries and support staff. Now, many practices, Kirby Simcox included, have more female Solicitors than male and I’m delighted to say women are now Silks, High Court Judges and of course Managing Partners, such as Amanda Firth here.
“The third great transformation has come through IT. Instead of dictating work to a “Stenographer” as we used to do, we now dictate straight into a computer. Firms are far more productive now in so many ways. The downside is that we are all working much harder. If you sent a letter in 1966 you wouldn’t get a reply for at least three days. Now, a response to an email can come in minutes. Some files never seem to leave your desk! “
Concluding Bill said, “I have been extremely lucky throughout my legal career. Although I retire at the end of April as Senior Partner, I will still be working with many of my old clients as a Consultant for Kirby Simcox for some time to come. I will continue also as an ET Judge. I am extremely pleased that after stopping full time work I will still be organising and playing cricket with the W.H. Owen XI. I also hope to watch England recover the Ashes this summer .Yes; I am still an optimist…”
Bill and his wife Sue moved to a cottage near Shaftesbury in Dorset in December 2008 where they can be contacted on: Bill-and-sue@hotmail.co.uk
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Kirby Simcox Solicitors has announced the promotion of specialist civil litigation and employment solicitor James Bell and commercial conveyancing expert Jeremy Johnson to Associates.