A long-serving litigation lawyer has retired after 40 years.
During that time Richard Smith,63, who worked at SAS Daniels in Stockport, has advised clients on a range of commercial issues including professional negligence and various types of commercial claims. As part of his work he has also represented clients in the region’s courts.
Prior to joining the dispute resolution team at the firm’s Stockport office where he specialised in commercial litigation, Richard spent a number of years in personal injury and clinical negligence teams, which included dealing with claims that arose from a number of high profile air crashes.
Richard said: “Retirement is bittersweet. I am passionate about the law – it’s what drove to me qualify as a lawyer and I intend to stay up to date with new ground breaking cases as they happen – but I’m also excited about having the opportunity to explore my other passions.
“Although I don’t ‘turn out’ any more, I am looking forward to watching more midweek cricket live at Old Trafford, as well supporting Sale Sharks.
“I intend to join a photography group and am excited by new ventures in that area.”
During his long career Richard has witnessed some sizeable changes to the practice of law.
He adds: “While laws change and develop, legal advice has remained relatively unchanged; what’s changed is the mechanism of delivery. When I started in law the post was the only official method of delivering advice.
“Now we can provide advice across the world in an instant.”
After completing his training at a central Manchester law firm, Richard qualified in 1977.
Following a stint in Chorley, Richard returned to the Manchester area where he spent 25 years with Walls Johnston & Co.
Following a series of mergers and acquisitions the firm became SAS Lawyers, who then merged with Daniels to become SAS Daniels in 2006.
Jonathan Whittaker, senior partner at SAS Daniels, said: “Richard will be sorely missed by his colleagues and his clients.
“While we’ve planned for this day for a while, it’s testimony to the level of service and advice he’s provided that the litigation team has grown rapidly in recent years.”