Churchers Solicitors Change Skippers - Duncan Johnson Hands the Ropes to Ian Robinson

It’s all change at the top as Churchers Solicitors new Managing Partner Ian Robinson takes the helm from Senior and Managing Partner Duncan Johnson, who semi-retired from the firm in December 2006, after 38 years.

Duncan Johnson’s career at Churchers began in 1968 when he was head-hunted to join the Gosport office. He subsequently moved to the Fareham office in 1970. Duncan managed the firm under the previous senior partners for about ten years and was then formally elected Managing Partner in 1992. As such he was instrumental in creating the current departmentalised structure and in achieving the Lexcel and Legal Aid Kitemarks.

Ian Robinson took over as Churchers’ Managing Partner in January 2006 to Duncan’s great relief, as he has since been able to focus purely on client work.

However, Duncan will not be retiring from the firm entirely, as his partners have kindly agreed to let him “sneak back under the wire” and work as a Consultant for his private client base from 1st January 2007. He comments:

“The strength of this partnership, coupled with Churchers’ friendly atmosphere and devoted staff are the most valuable assets of the firm.”

Duncan is married to Lizzie and they have four daughters and five grandchildren. He enjoys sailing, gardening, cooking, cycling, reading, France, learning Italian and fine wines.

Ian Robinson joined Churchers in 1992 to specialise in criminal defence. The growth of the Criminal Department led to the creation of a bespoke Litigation / Criminal office in Portsmouth in 1998, headed by Ian. Churchers now have the largest Criminal department in Hampshire.1

Ian was made a Partner in 1998 and became Managing Partner in January 2006, after his office as Commodore at his local sailing club came to a close, enabling Ian to dedicate his attention to Churchers’ business development.

Ian’s vision for the immediate future is to hone the creation of specialist departments which Duncan Johnson began and to develop a uniform style and approach across the firm.

Churchers also recently promoted their Company Commercial department with a seminar at the SpinnakerTower in response to demand from the growing commercial sector market in the Portsmouth and surrounding areas.

Ian Robinson comments:

"We are ideally placed geographically and structurally to meet the legal needs of Hampshire’s expanding commercial sector. Our aim for Churchers is to maintain our approachability and accessibility to private and publicly funded clients, whilst growing the Commercial arm of the business."

Ian lives in Lower Swanwick, Hants with his wife; he has a son aged 23 and a daughter aged 20. He enjoys sailing and harbours a passion for classic British sports cars.

John Guest will assume the role of Senior Partner at Churchers from 1st January 2007.