Today marks the end of long careers of two of our partners, Mary McEvoy and Andrew Orriss.

Mary McEvoy has worked for Neves for almost 40 years and is today retiring. She joined in 1981 as a newly qualified solicitor and became a partner in 1984. She has been head of the family department for many years. 31 March 2020 marks her last day at Neves.

Partner, Beth Woodard recalls her first impressions of Mary as being a compassionate solicitor and strong advocate for children in childcare proceedings with an excellent reputation amongst the local judiciary and her contemporaries. "In a court setting she was simply impressive." As head of the family department she has been supportive and taken the time to bring the best out of her trainees and solicitors alike.  Recent joiner & Senior Associate Heidi Fleming, commented that she has never had such a supportive head of department. She will be greatly missed.

Andrew Orriss graduated from UCL in 1980, completed his articles at a London firm and qualified as a solicitor in 1983. He joined local Luton firm, Hopkins Reynolds, in 1984 and became a partner in that firm in 1986, together with John Hopkins. In preparation for John’s retirement, Hopkins Reynolds merged with Neves in 2002 and Andrew then became a partner of Neves.

Andrew’s style and commitment to training his team has commanded great loyalty, which is evident from the fact that Haqib Iqbal, Rosalind Burd and Stewart Matthews (all recruited and trained by Andrew) have remained at Neves for many many years. Stewart, Joint Managing Partner, comments “I personally am extremely grateful to Andrew for giving me the opportunity 21 years ago, without which, who knows where I would be and what I would be doing now.”

Andrew specialised in property work, both residential conveyancing and commercial. He has acted for individuals and families (multi generations) in Luton and the surrounding areas for many years, assisting with the buying and selling of thousands of homes and businesses.

Andrew will be missed, particularly in the Luton office where he has been a huge presence for near on 20 years.

We wish both Mary and Andrew the very best of luck in their retirement.