A legal firm in Cumbria has paid tribute to a long-standing partner who recently died.

Martyn Wrightson worked at Burnetts, based in Carlisle, for over 50 years.

Burnetts announced on April 10 that he died that morning, adding that many of the team, past and present, were ‘able to enjoy his daily companionship and the enormous skill and knowledge he had to share’.

“We’re grateful for our time with Martyn and send our love to his wife Barbara and their family,” the spokesperson added in a statement on social media.

Burnetts’ chair Richard Miller spoke of Mr Wrightson’s history with the firm: “Martyn joined the firm in 1971 at the age of 16.

“He completed his studies whilst working within the firm.

“Martyn formally retired from the Partnership at Burnetts at the end of 2019 but carried on working as a valued consultant until his retirement from work in January this year.”

On his impact on the firm and the local legal community, Mr Miller said: “Martyn really was part of the furniture here.

“His commitment to his clients, colleagues and the wider community meant that he was loved and respected by so many. 

“His area of specialism was wills, trusts, and probate, meaning that he worked tirelessly in an area of law that looked after families at their darkest hour.

“His care, compassion and warmth towards others meant that he created a special bond with those he supported through these times.

“He had a unique ability to condense complicated law and circumstances into a language that people could understand.”

Mr Miller said on how he will be remembered: “Martyn embodied what we often refer to as a ‘trusted advisor’.

“He commanded respect and was someone who was fair and genuinely cared about his clients and the people he worked with.

“He was such a character with a wonderful sense of humour and will be remembered as a huge personality in the history of the firm.

“We are all shocked and deeply saddened by his sudden passing.”

A funeral service is being organised, and no formal date has been announced yet.