01 December 2016
Law Society Welcomes New President Ian Huddleston
The Law Society of Northern Ireland has welcomed Mr Ian Huddleston as its new President.
Commenting the new President said:
“It is a privilege and an honour to take up the presidency of the Law Society of Northern Ireland.
During my Presidency I will seek to promote the solicitor profession and the important role it plays to the economy and significant contribution it makes to the community in Northern Ireland.
I will work to ensure that the Law Society remains at the forefront of justice issues in Northern Ireland working on behalf of our members and in the public interest”.
Mr Huddleston is originally from Downpatrick and studied Law at Queens University in Belfast before undertaking a Master’s Degree in Commercial Law at Bristol University.
After completing his apprenticeship with Murlands Solicitors in Downpatrick he was admitted to the Roll of Solicitors in Northern Ireland in 1991 and subsequently to the Roll of solicitors in England and Wales in 2010.
Following his apprenticeship Ian began working for L ‘Estrange & Brett and was heavily involved with the management of that firm prior to its mergers.
Ian advises in relation to all aspects of real estate law but with a particular emphasis on complex development work and the development of strategic property solutions for both public and private sector clients.
He has advised on a number of major large regeneration initiatives and developments throughout Northern Ireland
Ian also advises private clients and business owners on the structuring of their assets and the use of corporates, trusts and partnerships as part of that and to deal with succession issues.
He is also actively involved in the area of charity law and philanthropy.
He has been named in Chambers UK Guide to the Legal Profession for a number of years as a “leader in the field” for both for his real estate and private client practice where he is described as "a pragmatic lawyer who is great at keeping on top of loose ends and getting a deal across the finishing line".
Ian has an interest in legal education and is the outgoing chair of the Law Society's Education Committee although he remains a member and also sits on the Council of Legal Education.
He is a member of the Global Council of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners and a Committee Member of the Northern Ireland Branch.
He is a board member of a number of large companies and charities and is on the Board of Giving NI – a body set up to encourage philanthropy in Northern Ireland.
Ian became President of the Law Society of Northern Ireland on Wednesday 30th November 2016.
His chosen charity of the year is Marie Curie.