A memorial service is to be held next month for a stalwart of the legal profession in the UK.Stephen Denyer, who was director of strategic relationships at the Law Society of England and Wales, died earlier this year aged 68.
The international solicitor was responsible for the Law Society’s strategic relationships with leading stakeholders, local law societies, governments, universities and law schools in the UK and internationally.
CEO Ian Jeffery said: “Stephen was a brilliant lawyer and hugely well-connected ambassador, combining those qualities to lead discussion among members on the issues of greatest significance to the profession.
“As well as making a wide ranging and enduring contribution to the legal profession both here and abroad over the full length of a very distinguished career, Stephen was a much-loved colleague and mentor.
“His wisdom and wise counsel were sought by colleagues and by others in the profession across the world.”
Denyer experience and know-how had been built up over a long career including more than 36 years with Allen & Overy, who he joined as a trainee after taking a BA in law at the University of Durham.
He was admitted to the roll in 1980 and played an instrumental role in the internationalisation of both Allen & Overy and of legal practice.
Denyer was ‘known across the world’ for his work with the International Bar Association and the American Bar Association. As co-chair of the IBA Rule of Law Forum he was an eloquent defender of the rule of law, warning of the consequences of political attacks on lawyers for doing their job.
Away from his career the father-of-four enjoyed spending quality time with his wife and family, working on projects together in the garden of their family home.
The memorial service takes place on Friday, 21 June at the Temple Church, followed by a reception at the Law Society on Chancery Lane.
