Bircham Dyson Bell announces new Senior Partner

Bircham Dyson Bell has announced John Stephenson as the firm’s Senior Partner with effect from 1st June 2010. He succeeds Ian McCulloch who has been in the role for the past 13 years. Stephenson is a partner in the Real Estate Department and heads the Residential and Leasehold Reform Group.

John said:

‘I am delighted to have been given this opportunity by the partners and hope that I can live up to the very high standards set by Ian McCulloch during his tenure for which the partnership owes him an enormous debt of gratitude.

The legal sector faces challenges ahead not just from a slow economic recovery, but from the structural changes that could result from the Legal Services Act. But these challenges will also present opportunities and I look forward to working with Guy Vincent, our Managing Partner, and the management team to ensure that Bircham Dyson Bell is well placed to take advantage of any opportunities which will grow and strengthen the firm.’

As Senior Partner, Ian McCulloch has seen Bircham Dyson Bell go through a significant period of change, including a merger with Bower Cotton in 2000, and a growth in turnover from approximately £8m when he took office, with approximately 20 partners, to over £30m today with 48 partners. 

Ian added:

‘It was always my intention to return to the back benches at an appropriate time.  After 13 years in office as Senior Partner, and with the business doing well, now is a good time for that change.  BDB is a great firm to be with.  I am delighted that John Stephenson is ready and willing to take on the role.  I look forward to supporting him and to having more time to develop the business further.’

Ian McCulloch is a partner and Roll ‘A’ Parliamentary Agent.  Throughout his time as Senior Partner, Ian has successfully maintained a substantial level of client work across the public, private and third sectors.  His practice areas range from Parliamentary, Planning and Public Law, particularly in the field of transport infrastructure, to charity law and trust and tax work for many longstanding personal clients.