Liverpool barrister Bill Braithwaite was called to the bar in 1970 and ‘took silk’ in 1992 and, as he retires, colleagues at Exchange Chambers toast his ‘extraordinary career’. Tony McDonough reports
It was less than a year after Neil Armstrong first stepped onto the Moon when Bill Braithwaite began his career as a barrister.
Bill, who for the past 30 years has been head of Exchange Chambers, took more than “one small step” in 1970 when he was called to the bar. He ‘took silk’ 22 years later, becoming a QC (Queen’s Counsel) – now KC.
His impressive career achievements include representing people with serious brain and spinal cord injuries. He said: “ It has been an honour to represent over a thousand seriously injured people and to fight for the life-changing compensation they deserve.”
He built Exchange Chambers from a small single-site Liverpool-based set to a full-service “northern powerhouse” with more than 200 barristers in Liverpool, Manchester and Leeds.
After 55 years as a lawyer, Bill has decided to retire and colleagues packed into a drinks reception in Liverpool to say farewell to their colleague and mark what has been an illustrious legal career.
Bill added: “I started my involvement with the management of chambers about 40 years ago. We were 15-strong then with one small office in Liverpool.
“But even so long ago it was obvious to me that the profession would need to up-date significantly simply to stay alive and relevant; that conviction has driven us forward for all the years since then and has informed our strategy.
“I have left the role with chambers in a really good place; well-managed, strong financially, and well resourced. Those are the foundations of a really good business; one which will be able to maximise opportunities if and when they arise.”
Bill is succeeded as head of chambers by Will Waldron KC. Paying tribute Will said: “Bill’s leadership, for over a quarter of a century, has played a massive part in our success.
“He had a clear vision for the development of chambers and set about turning that vision into a reality and establishing Exchange as one of the leading chambers in the country.
“A truly outstanding barrister, Bill has always been ahead of the game. All of these things are important and deserve praise. But more importantly, for me, Bill was and remains a mentor, a guide, a rock – a friend.”
Exchange Chambers chief executive Jonathan I’Anson also paid tribute to his friend and colleague. He described Bill as “the driving force for our organisation through a period of huge change”.
He added: “His tenure as head of chambers was an extraordinary success and he leaves a fantastic legacy. From a personal perspective he has provided great support in my role as chief executive.
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As a barrister, Bill has made such a huge difference to so many injured individuals and their families. That is an extraordinary achievement. He also leaves his mark on the profession.
“He has constantly pushed developments in how we practice, look after our clients and solicitors and drive in work.”