With heavy hearts, we announce the recent and devastating loss of our most senior solicitor and much loved colleague, John Bugg.

John was admitted as a solicitor on 1st July 1968, joining us here in April 2006 with his reputation as one of the most experienced and respected advocates in the West Midlands already very much established.  Already well known to most of our team, he arrived here so full of enthusiasm, as keen to work as he ever had been.  With hindsight, as his work family, we are thankful that we had the chance to celebrate with him his remarkable milestone of achieving 50 years practicing as a solicitor last Christmas.  We shall raise a glass to him this Christmas, and every one that follows.

As anyone who knew him personally will know, John was a man who truly loved what he did.  Reluctant to retire and true to form, he continued to work for as long as possible until he had to hang up his suit and pipe.  We feel privileged to have shared with him the twilight years of such a distinguished career, unusually spent making so many friends and no enemies, only adversaries.

Liked by our clients, revered by your opponents, and very much beloved by all of us here at Smith Dawson, you brightened our office with your many anecdotes and distinctive laugh for well over a decade… but somehow it’ll never feel quite long enough.

Rest in peace, John x