LEWIS FRY

Posted on19 June 2012

In the late 19th Century, Solicitors were prosperous in Bristol and many of them became men of affairs. Lewis Fry (Bristol Law Society President in 1878), the grandson of the founder of chocolate company, JS Fry & Sons Ltd, is a good example of a local solicitor who participated in public life.

Born in 1832, Lewis Fry was articled to Joseph Bevan Braithwaite, a Quaker solicitor - the Fry family were Quakers - before becoming admitted as a solicitor in 1854, from when he practised as a solicitor in Bristol. He gave up practising when he entered Parliament, representing Bristol and then Bristol North between 1878 and 1900.

However, whilst practising Fry was a City Councillor for 20 years and also served on the Council of The Law Society, becoming President of the Metropolitan and Provincial Law Society. Lewis Fry was also elected as the first Chair of the Bristol School Board and he was also influential in the founding of Bristol University. Fry was the Chairman of the Council of the University College, Bristol, which was the fore-runner of the University, and in that capacity, Fry was a driving force in setting up the formal University in 1909 and working towards obtaining a Royal Charter.

Lewis Fry also served as a Privy Councillor to King Edward VII and also served as Deputy Lieutenant of Gloucestershire.

Burges Salmon has been an enthusiastic supporter of BLS for many years. BLS provides a valuable role in uniting and promoting the whole of the legal sector across Bristol to benefit both its members and the city. It facilitates collaboration across the sector to ensure that we can all make a difference. Whether that is driving important initiatives in, for example, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and the use of new technologies, liaising with stakeholders and charities in our wider community or providing training to generations of lawyers, the service and support provided by BLS is invaluable. More recently BLS has taken a lead on promoting Bristol’s legal brand, encouraging legal and business services talent to come to the city, which in turn attracts clients and inward investment to our thriving and vibrant commercial community. BLS breaks down barriers and brings those in the profession together for the greater good. We are proud of our long-standing association with BLS.
Roger Bull - Managing Partner, Burges Salmon
Three things to say about my experience of working with Bristol Law Society. Their central team, council members and general hangers-on are just about the nicest, most generous group of people working in the legal sector today. The numerous events, awards, socials and conferences I’ve had the pleasure to attend over the years have been, without exception, top quality and supremely organised. And, thirdly, they consistently exceed and challenge the boundaries of what lawyers might assume a regional Law Society will restrict activities to – from a hugely successful charitable school meals drive to corporate social responsibility and diversity campaigns to being joint architects and coordinators of the region’s unique Bristol+BathLegalTech group, which it has been my privilege to co-chair for the last five years.
Chris Bull - Principal, Edge International
As one of the leading Insurance brokers for law firms in the UK and with a large presence in Bristol it seemed only natural for us to support the Bristol Law Society. Bristol Law Society is one of the oldest and most vibrant of the Law Societies in England and Wales. We are pleased to be working with them on important matters relating to law firms’ liability insurances and Risk Management. From Sole Practitioner to Top 20 law firms we are sure our two organisations can provide excellent support and assistance for the challenges faced by the legal profession.
Matthew Baker - Financial Lines Group, Howden Insurance Brokers Ltd
Joining BLS in 2013 and becoming President in 2018/19 has created many longstanding friendships and business relationships, whilst also unlocking doors to other opportunities in the City. BLS enabled a perfect balance of professional development and also opportunities to give back to the legal and wider community. I am pleased that my Firm has supported BLS in many capacities since 2013 and continues to do so.
Nicholas Lee- Managing Director of Paragon Costs Solutions and Past President of BLS