Remembering Michael Orlik

It is with profound sadness that we share the news of Michael Orlik’s passing on 31 January 2026.

Part of the Lodders team since 2002, Michael was a much admired colleague and dear friend to many, and he will be greatly missed. His legal expertise in highways and rights of way ensured he had a national reputation in his field but, as well as this deep intellect, we will remember Michael most for his warmth and kindness to all he met.

A national expert – and a lifetime of service

Having graduated from the University of Oxford, Michael qualified as a solicitor in 1970 and spent the first half of his career in local government working for four different councils, including Surrey Heath Borough Council in Camberley, where he was chief executive and town clerk. In 1990, he entered private practice as a partner at Needham & James in Birmingham, which merged with Dibb Lupton Alsop in 1993. He joined Lodders in Stratford in 2002.

Michael was instrumental in securing changes to the law on compensation for compulsory purchase in respect of advance payments, ensuring that displaced landowners have the finances to reduce or pay off mortgage debt on the land during lengthy compulsory purchase negotiations.

His book, ‘An Introduction to Highway Law’, reached its fourth edition and, in November 2020, Birmingham Law Society presented Michael with a special award in recognition of 50 years in the legal profession – a quite fantastic achievement.

Commenting on his award at the time, Michael said: “Whilst slightly mystified that it is now fifty years since I was admitted to the legal profession, I can honestly say that I have enjoyed the whole of my career very much, both in the public and private sector.”

Lodders’ managing partner Paul Mourton said:

“We are deeply saddened by Michael’s passing. He leaves a legacy and distinguished reputation as a nationally acclaimed expert on highways and rights of way. Always willing to impart his wisdom and knowledge, Michael was central in establishing Lodders as a specialist amongst developers, landowners and local authorities, providing them with expert advice in this highly technical area of the law. We are enormously grateful to him for his years of dedication to Lodders, our clients, and the entire law profession.”