Martin Allsopp, partner at law firm Allsopp & Co, has been appointed as the new president of Birmingham Law Society.
He takes the helm from Mary Kaye, who stepped down at the Society’s Annual General Meeting, to become the 194th president of the organisation.
Martin is a partner in high street firm Allsopp & Co, Solihull. A practicing solicitor for more than 35 years, Martin formed the firm in 1983. Specialising in commercial and domestic property issues, he also handles probate and estate administration.
Martin said: “It is a great honour and privilege to be taking over the presidency of the largest local law society in the UK.”
As president, Martin plans to use his position to raise the profile of high street legal services and champion local practices across the West Midlands.
He said: “Increases in regulation and professional indemnity insurance, cuts to legal aid and the opening up of the legal service market to non-lawyers has had a devastating impact on high street practices up and down the country.
“As a result, there has been a large reduction in traditional high street firms remaining in the West Midlands. I intend to visit a number of town centres during my presidential year to encourage people to use experienced local solicitors.”
Taking over the role of vice president is Eileen Schofield of Schofield & Associates, while Mushtaq Khan of Freeth Cartwright LLP becomes deputy vice president. Professor Bernardette Griffin of the College of Law and Ann Houghton of Irwin Mitchell Solicitors have also been welcomed as joint honorary secretaries.