Aycliffe Solicitor’s 50th Year With Close Thornton

A well-known Darlington solicitor is celebrating his 50th year with Close Thornton LLP, based in the town’s Duke Street. Darlington born and bred, David Hogg, 67, has spent all his working life at the 72 year old firm, serving 20 years as a legal executive before qualifying as a solicitor in 1995, and promoted to partner in 2002. David still has his original contract that shows his first day at work as being 14th August 1967 and his starting pay of £5 a week.    Over the last half century, David has worked tirelessly for the practice on hundreds of transactions and has been a key part of the growth and expansion of the firm’s corporate and property departments, including working on the transfer of leases, purchasing of commercial land/property, partnerships and corporate mergers, acquisitions and disposals. David also played a key role in the launch of Close Thornton Estate Agents in 1999.

One of David’s first clients was Blue Lagoon restaurant and the family who ran the business on Darlington’s Grange Road, which after being open for half a century is soon to close its doors for the last time. Earlier this month, current and former staff and partners from Close Thornton and the proprietors of the Blue Lagoon celebrated David’s half century at the restaurant. David, who is set to stay with Close Thornton as a consultant, said: “I really do not know where 50 years have gone!  I have seen so many changes within the legal profession over that time that I have never had chance to get stuck in my ways.  “The team of people I have worked with and the clients advised over that time have been fantastic and it is exciting to see things developing even further.” Shaun Burke, senior partner said: “This is an outstanding achievement and we are immensely proud to have worked with David and to say that he has been a part of the firm for 50 years.  His hard work, dedication and drive have been the driving force in the success of the firm.  David has made a real difference to the business and the people involved in it, both clients and staff.”