Law firm’s chief exec to stand down

Kevin McGrath and Steve Mann

Derby-based law firm Smith Partnership has said goodbye to its chief executive and one of the original founding partners, Steve Mann, as he retires following a 32 year career at the firm.

Mann qualified as a Solicitor in 1981 after graduating from Manchester University in 1978 and was one of the six founding partners of the firm in October 1987 when his firm, Brealey Mann, merged with Smith Dean and Chittenden to form The Smith Partnership.

For the following 20 years he specialised in criminal and licensing law before taking up the role as managing partner of the firm. In 2012 he became the chief executive at the firm. That role will now be taken by his colleague, Kevin McGrath, who assumes the role of managing partner.

Mann said: “I am proud to have played a part together with a significant number of others, both past and present, in helping the firm reach its current position and, at the same time, to have been able to offer help and legal advice to so many people in the area. Equally important, it has given me an opportunity to have worked with a number of exceptional people at all levels within the firm who have taught me so much and provided me with many lasting friendships. For all of those reasons, I leave with happy memories and I wish the firm and everyone within it continued success for the future. Having worked closely with Kevin for very many years, I know that firm is in very capable hands.”

McGrath joined Smith Partnership in 1991. He is head of business defence, specialising in defending business professionals in relation to serious fraud and regulatory matters, including health & safety and fire safety. He has been a member of the management team at Smith Partnership for the last eight years.

McGrath said: “No one has contributed more to the success of the firm over the last thirty years than Steve. During his time as CEO the firm has gone from strength to strength. All of his colleagues and friends here will miss him but he leaves with our very best wishes for his retirement.”

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