50 years in practice: an interview with Law alumnus Peter Quinn
University of Leeds Law alumnus Peter Quinn reflects on student life in the late 1960s, his inspiring Principal Eric Hopper Dodds, and their shared milestone of 50 years in practice.
Earlier this year, the School of Law was delighted to hear from Peter Quinn (LLB, 1971), who wrote in response to our alumni e-newsletter to share some momentous career news.
Admitted as a Solicitor on 1 July 1975, Peter reached an extraordinary milestone in July 2025: 50 years in continuous practice, a rare achievement in itself. Even more remarkable is that his late Principal, Eric Hopper Dodds, also practised for over 50 years. According to the Law Society, they cannot challenge Peter’s claim that this is the first recorded occasion where both a Principal and his Articled Clerk have each reached half a century in practice.
We spoke to Peter about his time at Leeds, his career, and what advice he would give to today’s law students.
Leeds in the late 1960s
Peter arrived in Leeds in 1968, at a time of huge cultural and social change. When asked about his memories as undergraduate at the School of Law between 1968 and 1971, Peter is typically eloquent:
In dealing with this question I’m reminded of the famous quote by Charles Fleischer that ‘if you remember the 60s you weren’t there!’ Fortunately, I do remember – most of my time in Leeds that is. They were stirring times and my first impressions of the city, its University and campus remain most vivid.
Campus was smaller, the Law Faculty then located in the Victorian buildings of Lyddon Terrace, and the student community close-knit.
“Leeds then was a very friendly and down-to-earth town where students were always made to feel welcome, especially in the pubs – primus inter pares of which was The Fenton. So many good ones – as long as you liked the only beer that was then available from the ‘Tetley’ Brewery situated on the other side of the city (and which no self-respecting student ever confused with the tea of the same brand-name!). Another prerequisite was the need to handle the odd bit of misogyny. None more so than at The Skyrack in Headingley with its ‘men only bar room!”
Protests and performance
During Peter’s time at Leeds the Students’ Union was buzzing, not least because of the extraordinary music scene.
“It’s no secret that for many years ‘the Union’ boasted an eclectic mix of entertainment… the Rolling Stones, the Who, Jethro Tull, Fleetwood Mac, the Moody Blues to name but a few. A stand-out memory of them all for me was the night Elton John appeared. He’d just got his first ‘Number One’ hit single (‘Your Song’ in 1970) and afterwards came into the bar for a drink. Without any ‘minders’ and with his girlfriend. Yes, it was that long ago!”
But it wasn’t just ‘celebs’ from stage and screen who were in attendance at the University. For Peter, a ‘stand-out’ was the future Home Secretary and Foreign Secretary (and fellow School of Law alumnus) Jack Straw.
By the time I arrived, Jack Straw had just graduated but stayed on for another year to further his prospects at the NUS as a springboard to a burgeoning political career thereafter. My main memory of him was the anti-American demonstrations he’d help organise against the Vietnam War and one in particular which annoyed a largely conservative Student Body enough to come out and mount a counter-protest.
Attic views and £3 rent
Peter also reflects fondly on his student accommodation journey, which began with sharing a room with fellow law student Patrick Fitzsimons at Mrs Tallon’s B&B in Beeston. More freedom of choice came in later years, with a shared flat on Clarendon Road in his second year, followed by a solo flat on Cardigan Road, Headingley, in 1970/71.
My rent was the princely sum of £3 per week. It overlooked the cricket and rugby ground and the free view of both from the house’s attic window was worth the rent alone.
Choosing Law
Peter’s route into law began much earlier, during his school years.
“Once you’ve familiarised yourself with the likes of Cicero and Demosthenes, you’re in danger of being ‘hooked’ – career-wise – on Law for life. Next to persuade me was – and remains – my love of history and by adding to the mix my devotion to English literature you might appreciate how my course was set.”
As for choosing Leeds, he says it was less a choice and more a stroke of fortune:
As for why I chose Leeds University – I didn’t; it chose me! Granted, Leeds was one of my six UCCA form nominations but was the only one to offer me a place without conditions and no interview process to undergo. How could I say no?
School of Law Class of 1971 (Peter is top right)
Learning from Eric Hopper Dodds
After graduation, Peter began his articles at Kenneth Bush & Co in Norfolk, under the supervision of Eric Hopper Dodds. It was a defining chapter.
He was a criminal lawyer, one of the best in the whole of the East of England, and consequently his talent for advocacy was one to aspire to and a good man to learn from.
Articled clerks of the era were often treated as “goffers,” Peter remembers, sent on errands to “go for this, or go for that”, or even out on the golf course as caddies to keep clients happy. Yet it was all part of the learning curve.
“When I wasn’t learning from Mr Dodds there was more to learn and experience to acquire from the Firm’s conveyancing department. A juxtaposition of legal ‘sciences’ I’ve enjoyed to this day; the advocacy and adversarial side of the Law v the cerebral and punctiliousness needed to study and draw-up documents.”
Reaching 50 years in practice
Half a century later, Peter reflects on what it feels like to reach such a rare milestone.
“In short, very lucky as many I’ve known over the years, better and more able than I, never got that far in both life as well as career. Too many to mention, none forgot so that – in a way – I feel as if the 50 years I’ve accomplished has been done for them!”
The sense of pride is palpable:
My personal ‘Everest’ accomplished of doing just that means that ‘pride’ too has a legitimate place in that achievement.
That both he and Eric Dodds reached the same milestone makes the achievement all the more special. Peter credits not only luck but also a deep commitment to service.
“Knowing Eric Dodds as I did and feeling the same way as he did, that need to give something back – to aid, advise and assist one's clients and the satisfaction to be gained thereby – contributed greatly to our mutual sense of achievement.”
Witnessing change
Reflecting on his long career, Peter has seen seismic shifts in both society and the law.
“A criminal could still be executed in this country (abolished 1969), the UK had never been a member of the Common Market… and the Divorce Reform Act of 1969 introduced – at last – some fairness and parity into matrimonial law.”
The world itself feels unrecognisable compared to when he started at Leeds.
“When I started at the University that September, Putin was only 15 years of age – far too young to vote had he been born in a democracy – while trump only meant one thing then: ‘twas an old English name for a very unsociable habit – flatulence! Only three TV stations then existed in the UK, there were no personal or office computers that I knew of and no mobile phones to use.”
Lessons from Leeds
Peter credits his years in Leeds with instilling values that have shaped his professional life.
Leeds taught me to evermore show respect where it was due, to earn respect – not expect it – by dint of my own hard work and to never pass up opportunities to pay proper appreciation to and for the help of others.
It’s a philosophy he later carried into running his own practice in Nottingham for two decades.
Advice for today’s students
Asked what advice he would give current law students, Peter is characteristically direct.
“Many things – above all, a capacity for hard work, resilience to get over the occasional set-back, and optimism to confront and overcome the inevitable challenges that life WILL throw at you. But there is one thing above all that a lawyer needs – something I’d go so far as to say is imperative! Discretion – or better, ‘omerta’.”
Closing reflection
From a student enjoying live gigs at the Union in the late 1960s to a solicitor with five decades of practice, Peter Quinn’s journey is one of resilience, respect and dedication. His and Eric Hopper Dodds’ shared achievement of 50 years in practice remains an inspiring legacy for the next generation of Leeds graduates.
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