Christopher Holmes OBE DL, October 1943 - March 2010

Chris was a member of Birkett Long for forty-eight years. In 1962, uncertain as to what Chris was going to do with his life, his parents sent him to meet Ronald Long, the Senior Partner of Smith Morton and Long, solicitors in Halstead. “Put on a suit and pretend to be interested” was his mother’s wise advice.

Chris was admitted as a fully qualified solicitor in 1967, becoming a partner in the firm three years later. He opened the Colchester office in 1973 and spearheaded the new Chelmsford office nearly thirty years later. Chris served, in turn, as the firm’s Managing Partner, as its Senior Partner and as a Consultant with the firm until his death.

Chris was an outstanding and dedicated lawyer, becoming one of the most respected family lawyers in the area. He also gave outstanding service to the North Essex community. Amongst his many roles, he was Chairman of St Helena Hospice from 1992 to 1996 and Chairman of Macmillan Cancer Support in Essex from 1996 to the date of his death. He was also a Deputy Lieutenant and was awarded the OBE for his public services in 2000.
But it was for his personal qualities that most of us will remember him. Chris was the most decent of men, always charming, always interested in people and always seeing the best side of everyone. Birkett Long was his family and he treated every member of the firm as a family member. He bore his terrible illness with great courage and always made light of his problems, remaining as engaging and interested in people as ever.

We have been blessed indeed to have known Chris and to have had him as our Senior Partner and friend.