The partner with the perfect swing at MFG Solicitors was guest of honour at a firm’s party to celebrate his 25 years as a lawyer.
Members of staff in the Shropshire offices of MFG Solicitors gathered to celebrate the career of Michael Payne, a well known figure in business circles all over the county.
He heads the firm’s Shropshire corporate and commercial property division and is the office partner at Shropshire Commercial Centre in Telford.
Outside work he is a keen member of Shifnal Golf Club, playing off a handicap of five.
He is regarded as easily the best golfer in the firm, having played the game for 46 years, and represented the county on a regular basis in his younger years.
Mr Payne was one of the senior partners at Gwynnes, a Shropshire firm established in 1908, which merged with Morton Fisher in 2005 to form MFG Solicitors.
Shrewsbury born and bred, he qualified as a lawyer in April 1983 having done it the hard way via the legal executive route, taking part-time and correspondence courses.
He said: “I worked for many years in local government at Shrewsbury Borough Council and then Telford and Wrekin Council where I qualified as a lawyer before deciding to join Gwynnes.”
Client Alan Day, managing director of Days Construction Ltd, said: “Michael has been dealing with our legal affairs for many years and I have always appreciated his thorough and professional approach.
“He is always positive and proactive and ensures that our work is completed as quickly and efficiently as is possible.
“Fortunately golf is one of the few sports that I do not play and so I am spared the embarrassment of having to face him on the greens where I understand he is equally proficient.”
Paul Rhodes, who heads the private client division at MFG Solicitors, said: “I have known Michael as a partner for 25 years and regard him as one of Shropshire’s leading lawyers in his field.
“We also wish we were as good as him on the golf course – he has that seemingly effortless and consistent swing that every golfer strives for.”
