Pictured above: Ian Burr
A prominent local lawyer has retired after a career spanning
over three decades in Leamington Spa.
Ian Burr, will be leaving Coventry and Warwickshire-based firm
Alsters Kelley, where he has been based as a commercial property
consultant since 2009.
Ian qualified as a solicitor in 1973 and worked for Kent-based
firm Hallett & Co for four years, until he moved back to
Warwickshire, establishing Ian Burr & Co in 1977.
The firm thrived for over 30 years before it merged with
Ollerenshaw in 2008 in order for Ian to prepare for retirement. He
practised many areas of non-contentious law at Ian Burr & Co
before becoming a commercial property consultant at Ollerenshaw and
Alsters Kelley.
Ian said: "It is with some degree of satisfaction I look back at
my career. It was difficult as a young lawyer starting a practice
but with my dedicated team- twelve in all at the time of the
merger- and our collective efforts, the firm developed and became
successful."
He added: "Any young lawyer with sense would not attempt to do
now what I did then. The regulatory and administrative aspect of
running a firm of solicitors was much less burdensome than it is
today and the business environment less harsh."
Reflecting upon some memorable transactions, Ian notes: "I
recall some elderly clients, long living together but unmarried,
who were shocked at my advice that they should get married to avoid
the survivor having to meet an enormous inheritance tax bill".
Another memorable event and perhaps the best recognition of
Ian's dedication to his clients, was when he was awarded the
position of Non-Executive Director for a client's IT services
company, giving him an insight in to the commercial world from a
very different perspective.
Ian has been equally as dedicated to his community work, as a
member of the Leamington Lions Club, as a school governor and as a
trustee for Dogs for the Disabled- a position he has held since the
regional charity began over 20 years ago.
He is happy to have been associated with an organisation that
has transformed the lives of hundreds and is recognised as being at
the cutting edge internationally in developing the potential of
dogs for helping humans.
All at Alsters Kelley wish Ian a very happy retirement.
For more information about Alsters Kelley, please visit their
website here: www.alsterskelley.com