Celebrating 60 years at Stephens Scown

A former senior partner of leading South West lawyers, Stephens Scown LLP, recently celebrated 60 years of legal expertise with the firm.

Ian Waite, 83, has spent his entire legal career with the firm and helped it become the success it is today within the region and beyond.

Joining Stephens Scown in Cornwall in 1953 as an articled clerk, Ian moved from London to learn the ropes and become a qualified solicitor. His father paid the princely sum of £300 so that he received this training – a concept very different from the one experienced by today’s trainees.

Starting at the bottom rung of the ladder, Ian learnt the finer details of not only the general practice of a local law firm, but also the specialist topic that the firm was gaining a strong reputation for, mining. Ian changed the face of mining law with a ground breaking case in front of the Court of Appeal. The case was lost but the law was changed and is still in use today.

Not only a ground breaker in terms of the law, Ian was also a nurturer and developer of his team. Generations of first class lawyers have learnt their craft from his wisdom - Ian Lamond, Partner and former team leader of planning law at Stephens Scown who himself has many mining and environment related accolades under his belt; to solicitor Sarah-Jane Williams, a rising star within the planning team and a key player on a variety of mining related matters.

The ultimate accolade came when Ian was appointed senior partner within the firm – a position which he held for 22 years.

Having retired from the partnership in January 1991, Ian now acts as consultant within the planning team, continuing to share his knowledge and insights into the industry. During his period at the helm, he steered the firm with a steady hand through waters which were often quite turbulent and saw the firm grow from a small country practice to one of the largest firms in the South West region.

Stephens Scown has over 40 partners and 230 staff across its offices in Exeter, Truro and St Austell. For more information visit www.stephens-scown.co.uk