The Senior Partner of Southampton’s largest local legal practice, Eric Robinson Solicitors, is celebrating a landmark achievement of 30 years’ service at the firm.

Graham Payne moved to Southampton as a teenager in 1968 in order to study law at the University. After he completed his course, he secured a position in a local practice where he did his articles, became fully qualified and was made Partner at the age of just 25 years

‘As soon as I arrived in Hampshire, I knew I wanted to stay,’ recalls Graham who is originally from Surrey. ‘It always felt like home and over the years I have not only raised my family, but also made some very good friends here.’

Graham moved to Eric Robinson Solicitors 30 years ago to progress the firm’s branch in Chandlers Ford. He arrived with just 10 files to be the only solicitor at the office and grew the practice to the busy office of eight fee earners plus support staff that it is today.

‘The whole firm had only 20 staff when I joined and now we employ 140 in five branches across Southampton. I think the secret of our success has been building up the business slowly and methodically with careful, strategic planning.’

Graham was made Partner in 1979 and Senior Partner in 1988. ‘It is personally enjoyable and professionally productive to be part of a partnership where everyone is friends and gets on so well,’ he says.

Having recently moved to Winchester after living and working in Chandlers Ford for so many years, Graham has built up an amazing client base from the local community. “When I first began working, a solicitor was expected to ‘turn their hand’ to a variety of legal disciplines, so appearing in courts, carrying out conveyances for people buying homes and later doing their Wills meant that you became very involved in people’s lives.’

‘As legislation has grown and become increasingly complicated with more and more rules and regulations people have had to specialize. I now am Head of the Wills & Probate Team and occasionally carry out some property work.’

When asked about the highlights of his career, Graham remembers a very distinct property project. ‘In 1987, we demolished the office and rebuilt it to the building it is now. It was such as turning point for us because we really stood out, people recognised us and it acted as a springboard to recommendations, new clients, employing more staff and the growth of the practice.’

‘I think the biggest change in the profession during my career has been the development of technology. We made the decision as a firm to embrace it, but not get so carried away we lost any of our ‘people skills’. Things such as digital dictation and online services and even fax machines are fantastic services we had never even thought about 30 years ago.’

So is there any sign of Graham slowing down? ‘I have no immediate plans to retire - I am still very much enjoying my job. Now my three children have grown up and left home, so I enjoy watching them start their careers - my daughter, Victoria, is also a qualified solicitor practicing Wills & Probate and my son Robert is studying law at University. I had no idea it would run in the family!’