STEPHEN Avila, solicitor at Essex law firm Birkett Long, has been voted president of the Mid Essex Law Society.Mr Avila was the youngest ever vice-president when he was elected to the post in 2005 aged 29, and took up the reins as president at the Society's annual general meeting in March.

STEPHEN Avila, solicitor at Essex law firm Birkett Long, has been voted president of the Mid Essex Law Society.

Mr Avila was the youngest ever vice-president when he was elected to the post in 2005 aged 29, and took up the reins as president at the Society's annual general meeting in March.

The Mid Essex branch represents the interests of the Law Society, which regulates the profession, lobbies government and offers training to solicitors and advice to the public, in the local area.

Mr Avila's period of office is for one year, and he will combine his duties with his work at Birkett Long, where he advises commercial clients on trademarks, patents, e-commerce, and international and media law.

He is also the resident IT and intellectual property expert for the Essex eBusiness Club.