Essex law firm announces retirement of senior solicitor after 24 years

Senior specialist in high value residential property work and commercial property, Kurt Goddard, has retired from Birkett Long, but will remain with the law firm as a Senior Consultant. Kurt joined Birkett Long in 1999 and became a Partner in 2001. After that he was Head of Department as well as team leader for 18 years and sat on the Board continuously from 2001 until 2022. He was also Chairman of the firm from 2019 until 2022.

Kurt studied at Ipswich School followed by a law degree at University College London. He was then a trainee at a firm in Covent Garden, where he stayed for four years after qualifying. Next, he joined a firm in Regents Park where he was a Partner for 13 years. In 1999, he decided that he wanted to come back to East Anglia, and, as a result of a chance conversation with the late Susan Masters, a Partner at Birkett Long, he joined the firm.

On his time with the law firm, Kurt notes that Birkett Long has doubled in size in terms of people and has also grown geographically. He says:

“When I joined, there were only two offices in Halstead and Colchester whereas we are now spread across the county and in London. Nonetheless, the firm has retained that feeling of family which makes it so unique. Ultimately, what makes Birkett Long different is the people. We always pull together and it has made working here more than just a job.”

When asked about his most memorable experience during his time at Birkett Long, Kurt said: “The most unusual experience I had at the firm was being asked to write and perform with the Board in a Christmas panto for the staff Christmas party…that was different.”

Outside of work, Kurt enjoys a range of sports, including tennis and golf, and particularly enjoys watching the newly promoted Ipswich Town.

He has also been Chairman of Woodbridge Tennis Club, as well as a school governor at the Ramsey School in Halstead and a trustee of Victim Support Essex.

On his future plans alongside his consultant role, Kurt is hoping to have more time to play tennis and golf. He has also bought a VW Campervan and intends to do more travelling. 

Kurt wishes the firm continued success in the future, noting that under the current Managing Partner and Partnership the firm is well placed to develop and grow, and he looks forward to watching that.

Birkett Long is here for good. It’s not just about knowing the law, it’s also about the impact we have on businesses and our communities. Birkett Long has offices in Basildon, Chelmsford, Colchester, London and Europe. It provides a wide range of legal and independent financial services for business including corporate and commercial advice, regulatory law, dispute resolution, education, insolvency, intellectual property and employment and for individuals: wills and conveyancing, family law, independent financial advice and dispute resolution.

For more information, visit www.birkettlong.co.uk or call 01206 217300.