Ellis-Fermor and Negus Solicitors in Derby and Nottingham are celebrating 40 years service by David Negus.
The 64 year old lawyer was part of the team that helped Nottinghamshire miners work through a national strike and is now celebrating 40 years as a qualified solicitor.
Mr. Negus qualified in 1972 and became part of what was then the East Midlands law firm Ellis-Fermor and Shephard in 1974.
The firm has grown over the decades and now has more than 60 staff and four offices in Long Eaton, Beeston, Belper and Ripley,
The law firm led the team which allowed the Notts miners to work through the national miners’ strike of 1984 and 1985.
Mr. Negus has also worked on high profile ecclesiastical cases including one before the Privy Council.
He specialises in company, commercial and town planning work said that the law and legal industry has changed a lot since he started out as a solicitor 40 years ago.
He said: “When I started, there was only one electric typewriter and no computers.
“When I installed our first one in 1981 we were the earliest firm in the area to embrace the future.
“Any solicitor qualifying today would consider it unthinkable to be expected to work without a computer, word processing and e-mails.”
He was surprised at the firm’s Long Eaton office on Thursday 26th April with a buffet and was presented with a specially engraved pen.
He said: “As I look back on 40 years a solicitor, I feel privileged to have worked in a firm that I believe enjoys one of the best reputations in the area.
“I have worked alongside some wonderful people and been extremely fortunate to have a career I still enjoy and have from the very beginning.”