Geoff Challacombe

GEOFF Challacombe, senior partner at Sudbury solicitors Steed and Steed, is retiring after a number of years and handing over to long-standing colleague David Sneezum.

GEOFF Challacombe, senior partner at Sudbury solicitors Steed and Steed, is retiring after a number of years and handing over to long-standing colleague David Sneezum.

Mr Sneezum, who heads the firm's matrimonial department, was articled with the company and has spent 37 years practising from its Gainsborough Street business.

He gained a degree in French before entering law, and his legal experience includes nearly two years as deputy district judge with Ipswich and Bury St Edmunds County Court.

During his 42 years with Steed and Steed, Mr Challacombe has been involved in a number of local organisations, and was clerk to ancient almshouse charities in Lavenham and Long Melford.

Following his retirement, he plans to devote more time to his other roles, including as managing director trustee of the Sudbury's Quay Theatre, chairman of the Red House Welfare Housing Society and a trustee of Sudbury Common Lands.

“I have had a long and varied career, and have particularly enjoyed the traditional role of a local solicitor in looking after wide-ranging interests of clients, sometimes several generations of the same family,” he said.

“With ever-increasing legislation, the move today is towards specialisation within a practice, which is an efficient way forward, but takes away the traditional role of the all-rounder.”