The end of an era

After an astonishing 36 years and six months at the firm, Martin Green stepped back from client work responsibilities and his role as Lodders’ senior partner in June 2022.

Happily it is au revoir and not goodbye, as Martin remains with the firm in an ambassadorial role.

Described by the firm’s managing partner Paul Mourton as ‘the architect and reason’ why Lodders is the firm it is today, and in tribute to his phenomenal contribution, we asked Martin about some of his personal highlights of his time – so far – at Lodders. He said:

“Since I joined the firm on 1 January 1986, Lodders has undergone dramatic expansion and growth.

“Thirty-six years ago, the Private Client team consisted of just me, one other fee earner, and a part-time legal secretary in Henley in Arden.

“It is hard to believe that the department has grown to what is now one of the largest teams in the Midlands.

“We have earned a national reputation and top tier rankings in both the Chambers and the Legal 500 guides, with recognition for our support on all aspects of private client law, from wills, trusts, estates and tax planning, to specialist advice for elderly and vulnerable clients.

“For the team to be ranked for so many years as a top tier firm for our work and advice for private clients is without doubt, my personal top highlight. It was definitely a ‘real moment’ when we were ranked for the very first time, and the team hasn’t looked back since.

“Winning new clients has always given me great satisfaction, and I have had a lot of referrals from other law firms which is always flattering.”

Differentiation

Alongside his exemplary client service and legal advice, Martin has been a driving force behind setting Lodders apart and ahead of the competition:

“I have always recognised the value and importance of effective marketing to support the positioning and development of the firm. Many years ago, I was instrumental in the firm’s first appointment of a marketing and events specialist, and two rebrands, the first one controversially to change the firm’s name from ‘G F Lodder and Sons’ to ‘Lodders’.

“I am very proud of the success of our recruitment, and the professional development of so many members of the private client team and across the firm, as well as developing our financial services operations, the merger in 2017 with Divorce and Family Law Practice (DFLP), and before that enticing George Campion to take on the firm’s first ever non-executive role,” he says.

Privilege

In June 2020, Louise Igoe took over from Martin as head of the Private Client practice. A specialist in estate planning, wills, trusts and probate matters, Louise joined Lodders as a trainee in 2003, qualified into the private client team, and made history at the firm when she became its youngest partner at the age of 30.

She says: “Martin has made an invaluable contribution to Lodders’ growth and the building of a successful private client team.

“He is an excellent lawyer who is revered by his colleagues and peers for his knowledge and expertise.

“Martin has been my mentor since I joined the firm, and I have had the privilege and pleasure of working closely with him. His ability to identify client’s needs, communicate technical issues in a manner which is easy for them to understand, and offer creative solutions to legal problems, is so impressive. He is such a good listener, approachable and personable.”

Architect and reason

Managing partner Paul Mourton, adds: “Martin is one of the leading private client partners in the Midlands, if not the country, whose black book of clients never ceases to amaze, among them a number who regularly feature on the Sunday Times Rich List, as well as stars of stage and screen, local heavy hitters in the property world, and the owners or directors and chief executives of listed PLCs.

“He is a phenomenal individual, kind and caring, and is the architect of and reason why our firm has such a wonderful culture, and one of those responsible for laying the foundations for the firm’s success. He will be profoundly missed, but thankfully is not leaving us completely.

“The private client team remains ambitious. Under Louise’s stewardship, its team of experts and specialists continue Martin’s great work and commitment to providing high quality private client services, helping high net worth clients with succession planning, advice on the creation and administration of trusts, assisting clients with deceased’s estates, and advising elderly and vulnerable.”

This article first published in Issue 8 of our client magazine, Lodders Life. Read this and more features online here.