Solicitor at Nantwich firm Hibberts retires after 47 years’ service

A solicitor at Hibberts in Nantwich is finally hanging up his suit after 47 years of service.

Stephen Sorfleet started his career in 1974 at Lucas Butter Williams and Goude in Whitchurch after reading Law at Cambridge University.

He qualified in 1977 and became a partner there in 1978.

The firm acquired the Ellesmere practice of Giles and Horton in 1995, and added to their portfolio in 1998 with the Whitchurch firm of Rushton & Co.

The newly named Lucas Butter Rushton merged with Hibberts in 2008 and Stephen then became a partner in Hibberts.

The merger meant that the new firm was able to provide legal services to the whole of the South Cheshire and North
Shropshire areas, including many agricultural clients and small businesses.

Stephen has been running the Ellesmere office since 1995 and has been working with clients in all areas of business and residential law, from conveyancing and property, to wills and probate; some of his current clients are the grandchildren of his original clients.

Stephen recalls a piece of advice offered by his Senior Partner when he first started out.

“He told me that if I had a difficult problem, I should leave it on the corner of the desk and it would either sort itself out or go away.

“After 47 years in law, I know that certainly isn’t the case!

“After nearly five decades of practising law, I’m ready to spend more time on my hobbies including photography, hill walking and increasing my involvement in the Overton Amateur Dramatic Society where I’ve been acting even longer than I’ve been a solicitor.

“I’ve been very happy at Hibberts – it’s a wonderful firm.”

Managing Partner at Hibberts Stewart Bailey said: “We shall be very sorry to see Stephen leave our Ellesmere Office, but after 47 years, we think he deserves a rest!

“Our Whitchurch office will be picking up Stephens’ clients to ensure that there is no interruption in their support.

“We’d like to wish Stephen all the very best in his retirement and we know he doesn’t like a fuss, but we wanted to make sure that he knows we appreciate all of the work he has done!”