Obituary: Robert Bourns

Robert Bourns, solicitor and former President of the Law Society of England and Wales, who has died aged 69, was a remarkable man. Born in Bristol in 1956, Robert was as proud of the city of his birth as he was of his Irish roots; he often spoke about a happy childhood with holidays spent in Cornwall, the Lake District and County Galway. It was at his father’s family home in Ireland where he recalled picnics in the hayfields and madcap races with farming cousins clinging to the mudguards of a Massey Ferguson 135. These memories were the start of his love affair with the iconic little red tractor. In 2017, he finally acquired one of his own and spent many happy hours mowing his field and taking his grandchildren for rides on it. 

Robert studied law at University College Cardiff from 1974-1977. He spent his holidays working in various jobs, washing vehicles for Wessex Water, sorting post, picking and packing at a local warehouse, and working as a chef at a local motorway service station. With a strong work ethic, he was offered permanent employment at each. Had he accepted, his future could have been so different! Robert went on to complete his Law Society Solicitors’ Finals Examination at the College of Law in Guildford and began working at Osborne Clarke Solicitors in Bristol, where he met his wife Fiona (also a solicitor) on her first day of articles (training contract). They later married and had four children, Richard, Sarah, Edward and William, and six grandchildren, of whom Robert was very proud. 

Robert qualified as a solicitor in 1980 and remained with Osborne Clarke, starting his legal career as a criminal lawyer. In 1983, he moved to Trumps, another legal firm in Bristol, where he became a partner in 1986. He went on to practise commercial law, insolvency and eventually employment. He guided Trumps through a merger, establishing TLT where he was managing partner and later senior partner, expanding the firm from its Bristol office into a national and international legal practice with over 1,200 staff across four jurisdictions. He was an active member of Bristol Law Society where he served as honorary secretary for six years and then president from 2005-2006. He continued to recognise the value and contributions of local law societies throughout his legal career.

In 2011 Robert was elected to the Council of the Law Society of England and Wales representing the City of London. He was president of the Society from 2016-2017. During that year he started a successful ‘Pride in the Profession’ campaign to promote the value of solicitors with stakeholders, consumers, business groups and the wider public. He also focused on justice for all and promoting England and Wales as an international hub for legal services. Brexit was a primary issue during Robert’s term as president. He worked hard on supporting EU-based solicitors, dealing with their queries and concerns about a post-Brexit environment, while also assisting the government with its Brexit plans and negotiations. He connected easily with solicitors of all backgrounds across the profession, from sole practitioners on the high street, in-house solicitors, those working abroad to large city firms. He understood them and their concerns, and was a fierce champion for them all.

Robert was dedicated to the importance of the rule of law and the need for access to justice for everyone. In the early 1990s, when Robert noticed that many local people were struggling with debt and could not get advice, he got some friends together and formed an ad hoc debt advisory service. As president of the Law Society, he highlighted the amount of pro bono work carried out by solicitors, leading to the launch of the Pro Bono Charter encouraging firms to commit to high quality pro bono work. The Charter secured over 50 signatories in its first year. Robert went on to become a trustee of the National Pro Bono Centre in 2018. 

Following major governance reforms, Robert became the first chair of the Law Society’s Board and served from 2018-2023. During this time, he worked closely with the Executive, office holders and various committees to set the strategy for the Society’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic and the threatened withdrawal of the Solicitors Indemnity Fund, among other pressing issues for the profession. With his quiet authority he was always able to lead the room, give everyone space to contribute and feel valued, but also quickly defuse any tensions. Robert understood the unique challenges Welsh solicitors faced and a Law Society National Board for Wales was set up under his leadership. He had a rare ability to balance strategic vision with immaculate attention to detail.

'In the many tributes that have poured in for Robert, he is repeatedly described as kind, thoughtful, respected, wise, compassionate and a true gentleman'

Robert was a passionate advocate for social mobility, diversity and inclusion and was a member of the Law Society’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee. He regularly visited local schools in deprived areas encouraging students to consider a legal career. He helped youngsters with university applications and provided career advice to mentees at the City of Bristol College and the Black South West Network who described him as ‘genuinely invested in their futures’. He spent time supporting junior solicitors and colleagues, acting as confidant and sounding board and offering valuable and impactful advice. He was always calm, pragmatic and generous with his time, and an unofficial mentor to many.

In 2016 Robert was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Laws by the University of West England. In the same year he was presented with the president’s Outstanding Achievement Award from Bristol Law Society. In 2019 he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the City of London Law Society at the British Legal Awards.

Robert was also an excellent public speaker and a captivating storyteller. He told hilarious anecdotes full of warmth and wit, as a result of which he was much in demand as a panellist and speaker, particularly at the Sole Practitioners Annual Conference where he had everyone laughing year after year with tales of his antics. Whether he was addressing colleagues, friends or family, he had the extraordinary ability to draw people in, painting vivid pictures with his words and landing a punchline with impeccable timing.

Alongside his legal career, Robert was also dedicated to public service and contributed a great deal to the Bristol community. His commitment spanned decades of charitable work and civic leadership, including as trustee (from 2005) and chairman (2011-2014) of St. Peter’s Hospice, chair of the Quartet Community Foundation (2014-2018), trustee of Ablaze, chair of the Bannerman Road Community Academy, chair of the Merchants’ Academy, president of the Dolphin Society (2015), trustee of St. Monica’s Trust and chair of its Charitable Foundation since 2022. A member of the Society of Merchant Venturers since 2015, Robert was elected as master in 2024. He was made a deputy lieutenant of the City and County of Bristol in 2014, and vice lord lieutenant in 2020. It was in this capacity that he had recently attended a reception at Windsor Castle for the King’s Awards for Enterprise, where he met King Charles. 

In the many tributes that have poured in for Robert, he is repeatedly described as kind, thoughtful, respected, wise, compassionate and a true gentleman. He was also very modest and would have hated all these accolades. Never one to shout about any of his many achievements, he brushed compliments away with a self-effacing shake of his head. Even as his health declined, it was never about him. His courage, good spirit, work ethic and sense of humour, even during his own personal challenges, were immeasurable and a mark of his enormous strength and humility.

A recent thanksgiving service to celebrate his life was packed with those who had known him. A recurring theme among those in attendance was recollections of how he had helped them in some way or another. There will still be so many stories we don’t know, so many lives he touched, and so many people he gently propelled in directions they may not even have contemplated had he not seen their potential. It was evident that he relished the opportunity to enrich and advance the lives of others, quietly shaping a legacy of compassion and lasting impact.

Above all, Robert was a humble man. He brought doughnuts into the office for Law Society staff and chocolate Easter eggs and other treats to board meetings. He never forgot to send thank you letters even for events he was unable to attend. He gave so much of his time to others, never refusing a request to meet or speak, always being encouraging with his comments. He truly cared about others and had that rare compassion that made him unique.

Robert Bourns was one of the most respected presidents of the Law Society, an ardent advocate for the legal profession and a man of great principle and integrity. He was an excellent ambassador for every organisation he was associated with. He will be profoundly missed and his influence will be felt by many for years to come.

Lubna Shuja was president of the Law Society of England and Wales in 2022-2023