FSI, like all good businesses, has evolved substantially over the years. If you are interested in what went before, this section will provide you with a synopsis of our history.
Where did it all begin?
The FSI we know today began its life in 1935 when Mr Arnold A Finer qualified as a Solicitor and set up practice in Queen Street, London EC4. He continued in practice until the onset of war in 1939 when he was called into the army. Mr Finer had a brilliant mathematical mind and became an artillery officer, reaching the rank of Major and serving in Europe and India until he was demobbed in 1945.
He then set up again as a sole practitioner at 91 Regent Street, London W1 and in 1951 was joined by Michael Green as an Articled Clerk who qualified in April 1956 and was promptly called up for two years National Service. Michael Green rejoined Arnold Finer in practice and became a partner in 1960, the practice was then renamed “Arnold Finer & Green”.
The partners of Gershon Young Finer & Green (1980)
Back row (right to left) Richard Barnett, Michael Rabin, Elspeth Chapman, Alfred Young & Alan Gershon
Front row (lright to left) Hymie Lehrer, Arnold Finer & Michael Green
In 1980, Arnold Finer & Green merged with Gershon Young & Co, and the combined firm moved to 79 New Cavendish Street practising under the name “Gershon Young Finer & Green”. At that time, Arnold Finer & Green were about 12 strong (including Karen Meller) and Gershon Young & Co about 25 strong, but the combined firm rapidly expanded. Arnold Finer retired as a partner in 1984 but remained as a consultant for some time. He died in the mid-90s.
In 1989, the firm were approached by Stein Swede Jay and Bibring in Park Street London W1. A merger was proposed, one benefit being the influx of younger partners, and agreement was reached. On the question of the firm name, it was proposed that the name “Finers” be adopted. “Finer” was a well known name in the law and a one word trading name was not only the current fashion but also most suitable as identifying the legal nature of the firm without naming any current partner in the title. After some difficulty, this name was approved by The Law Society. Premises were taken at 179 Great Portland Street and the firm took possession in February 1990 after extensive fitting out from a shell. At that time there were some 16 partners in all and a staff of about 75 including assistant solicitors.
Over the ensuing years, partners left, sometimes by retirement, sometimes to take up other positions, and many more partners joined or were promoted internally.
In 1991, there was a merger with Thornton Lynne and Lawson, of Portland Place, and in 1998 Bennett Taylor Tyrrell joined. In 1999, Stephens Innocent, led by named partner Mark Stephens and a team of 12 others, merged with Finers to form “Finers Stephens Innocent”.
The Finers and Stephens Innocent merger was followed by further small firms joining Finers Stephens Innocent - in 2000 Edward Lewis & Co joined the firm followed by Nathan Silman in 2001.
Managing Partners in recent decades have included David Swede, Peter Jay, Richard Gerstein, Anthony Barling and now Paul Millett who took over the position on 1st October 2006. Melvyn Orton also took up the role of Senior Partner on this date.