A NATIONALLY respected farming and rural affairs solicitor has celebrated a landmark 60 years in the legal profession.

Jim Quinn, 81, began his career in 1960 as a trainee with Kidderminster firm Ivens Morton & Greville-Smith, which through a variety of mergers and acquisitions grew into the modern-day firm mfg Solicitors with offices across the county and into Shropshire and Birmingham.

Wolverhampton-born Mr Quinn, who moved to Ombersley in 1957, has since been instrumental in mfg’s growth across the region, mentoring new lawyers and building a revered reputation to become one of the leading agricultural solicitors in the UK after winning a variety of high-profile cases.

Still a practicing solicitor, the father of three continues to work as a consultant for mfg and last year was recognised by the Worcestershire Law Society by being handed the society’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

Maynard Burton, chairman of mfg Solicitors, said: "To celebrate six decades in the legal profession with only one firm is a remarkable achievement and underlines Jim’s unrivalled commitment and loyalty.

"During his time at mfg Jim has founded and grown a number of departments, mentored countless young solicitors, and become known across the UK as ‘Mr Agriculture’ for his success in advising hundreds of farmers and landowners.

"It is a milestone that we wouldn’t expect to see again for many years.

"Jim is one of a kind and it is no surprise to anyone that even at the age of 81 he continues to handle a variety of case work.

"It is a proud moment for everyone at mfg to see him reach 60 years."

Jim Quinn added: "I feel an enormous sense of pride and thank the bedrock of my career which is my wife Anne, my three children and my seven siblings.

"I have enjoyed encouraging colleagues over the years and recall the variety of brilliant people I have worked with.

"To serve our clients has been an absolute privilege but I look forward to continuing for many years to come.

"As a firm, mfg Solicitors has grown hugely over the years and to recall that I have played a part in that success is a wonderful feeling."

To mark his 60 years, Mr Quinn has also written a book about the law firm which was released last month after three years of research and writing.

The paperback chronicles the history of mfg Solicitors and its predecessors in Wyre Forest and the surrounding area – with its history believed to date back to 1484.

The book also covers the firm’s more recent expansions in Ludlow, Bromsgrove and Birmingham.

mfg Solicitors has six offices across the region in Kidderminster, Bromsgrove, Birmingham, Worcester, Telford and Ludlow.