Bernard Shepherd, a consultant at Black Country law firm Clark Brookes Turner Cary, is taking on a prestige law society role for a second time.

He is to become president of the West Midland Association of Law Societies for the next two years.

A past president of Walsall Law Association and Birmingham Law Society president from 2009 to 2010, he previously headed the Association from 2010 to 2012.

The handover from Ellen Watkins, of Okells Francis Law LLP, Ross-on-Wye, takes place on Thursday, February 19, in a ceremony at the premises of No 5 Chambers in Birmingham and sponsored by the Wesleyan and No 5.

Andrew Caplen, president of The Law Society nationally, will be in attendance.

Mr Shepherd, a highly-experienced solicitor, with a significant profile within the West Midlands legal community, who has played a major role in representing the profession and championing excellence, said he was “pleased to once again be of service”.

He said:

“The profession faces many challenges but remains in good heart in the West Midlands.”

“I have always been a firm believer in listening to the client and providing honest and straightforward advice, placing the good of the client above all else. So long as lawyers across the region and indeed the country stick to such basic tenets then I am sure the profession will continue to thrive.”

“A strong pro-active Association can be a real champion of the legal sector. I thank Ellen Watkins for keeping the Association in good shape, ably supported by the Association’s secretary Ros Caldicott.”

Mr Shepherd joined Clark Brookes Turner Cary last year with a remit to raise the profile of its West Bromwich and Stratford-upon-Avon offices.