Our former senior partner David Glass retires this week 44 years after starting work in the town.
Born in Carlisle, David came to Cheltenham in 1965 to do his articles with Davey Son & Jones. He remained with the firm after qualifying, and became a partner, working in both their Cheltenham and Cirencester offices.
Following the firm’s amalgamation in 1987 with two other local practices [Willans and Stannard & Moss], David Glass became a partner in the newly-merged Willans Stannard & Davey. The firm later reverted to the name Willans.
In 1990, David became senior partner at Willans and managed the rapidly expanding practice for 16 years until he retired from partnership in 2006. Since then, he has continued to work as a consultant.
A distinguished family lawyer and mediator, David also gained distinction in another field, as a prosecution lawyer for the RSPCA. He dealt with hundreds of animal cruelty cases over a 27-year period.
David prosecuted his last animal cruelty case this month and has now handed over to his successor, Charlotte Mitchell, a litigation lawyer at Willans.
Looking back on his career, David Glass said: “I can’t think of any other job I would have found as challenging and interesting. I think the law suited me well and I hope I suited it – though it’s not for me to say.”
Although Mr Glass retires from practice at the end of May 2009, he is not planning to put his feet up completely.
He said: “I intend to carry on as a Deputy District Judge and as a member of the Legal Services Consultative Panel, the body that advises the Lord Chancellor on various practice matters.
“I shall also continue as a member of the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal—the body that strikes off wayward solicitors.”
Partner Charles Middleton paid tribute to his colleague and partner of over 20 years, saying: “It’s been a privilege to be in partnership with David. He is highly respected in the legal profession and the wider community and is a man of the utmost integrity.
“As senior partner, he managed the firm with a steady, gentle touch, always aiming for a consensus approach. He is valued, respected and held in great affection by his colleagues at Willans and will be hugely missed by us all.
“I am delighted that David is to continue as a judge and on his specialist panels where his considerable intellect and clear thinking can still be brought to bear in a legal context. We wish him health and happiness in his retirement.”
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