Employment law expert Robert Bourns, senior partner at national firm TLT, has been elected as the next deputy vice-president of the Law Society.

Bourns will take up the post in July and is expected to become president in 2016, the Society announced today.

He was chosen from a shortlist of seven candidates for the position having joined council in 2011.

Bourns said: ‘The Law Society has an incredibly important job to do in maintaining trust and confidence across a diverse profession. Representing in-house and general counsel alongside private practice both large and small. 

‘The Society needs to provide contemporary support and promote the interests of members and their clients. In the context of continuing changes to regulation it should be recognised for its relentless protection of the rule of law.’

After beginning his training at national firm Osborne Clarke in 1978, Bourns later moved to TLT and was managing partner for six years.

The new deputy vice-president has been involved in local law societies for many years, having been a secretary and president of Bristol Law Society and secretary of the Association of South Western Law Societies.

Bourns, a Gazette blogger, is an elected member of the Society’s management board and is one of five representatives for the City of London constituency, a member of the Law Society’s equality and diversity committee and a member of the RAB regulatory processes committee.

Law Society chief executive Desmond Hudson said: ‘There was stiff competition with seven candidates for this year’s deputy vice-president elections. All of the candidates had a great deal to offer and council had a difficult choice to make.

‘Robert has already made a significant contribution to the Law Society, from representing the City to the work of the equality and diversity committee. We all look forward to welcoming him in July.’