Remembering Stephen Denyer: memorial service to be held in honour of much-loved colleague

A memorial service will be held later this year in honour of our much-loved colleague, Stephen Denyer.

Stephen, who was our director of strategic relationships, passed away earlier this year.

He was responsible for managing our relationships with leading stakeholders, local law societies, governments, universities and law schools in the UK and internationally.

Alongside a wide-ranging and enduring contribution to the profession throughout his distinguished career, Stephen was a highly respected colleague and mentor.

His experience and know-how were built over a long career including more than 36 years with firm Allen & Overy, where he joined as a trainee after completing a bachelor’s degree in law at the University of Durham.

Stephen played an instrumental role in the internationalisation of both Allen & Overy and of legal services more generally. He was known across the world for his work with the International Bar Association and the American Bar Association.

"Stephen was a brilliant lawyer and hugely well-connected ambassador, combining those qualities to lead discussion among members on the issues of greatest significance to the profession.

"As well as making a wide-ranging and enduring contribution to the legal profession both here and abroad over the full length of a very distinguished career, Stephen was a much-loved colleague and mentor.

"His wisdom and wise counsel were sought by colleagues and by others in the profession across the world," said Law Society chief executive Ian Jeffery.

Outside of his career, Stephen was a father of four and enjoyed spending time with his wife and family, working on projects together in the garden of their family home.

The memorial service will take place on Friday 21 June at the Temple Church in London, followed by a reception at our headquarters on Chancery Lane.