Mary Johnston celebrates 50 years at Osborne Clarke with Support Team Member of the Year award
Published on 24th Oct 2014
Group PA Mary Johnston celebrated 50 years at Osborne Clarke in style by receiving the Support Team Member of the Year award at the Bristol Law Society awards on Thursday 23 October.
Mary joined OC on 5 August 1964 in its previous incarnation as Osborne, Ward, Vassall, Abbot & Co. In her first year she undertook a variety of roles from mailing, couriering and working on the manual switchboard.
In 1969, Osborne, Ward, Vassall, Abbot & Co. merged with Clarke & Co. (also of Broad St) and Mary played a role in moving the firm forward as an entity and physically to its new home in Queen Charlotte Street.
Mary has made a huge contribution to Osborne Clarke as it has grown from a small Bristol firm to an international business with a presence in 9 countries. Amazingly, over the course of 50 years Mary has worked under only four bosses at Osborne Clarke (one for 22 years), which shows how highly her support has been valued.
Mary’s current boss, employment partner Julian Hemming, says: “For the rest of us who can only marvel at Mary’s achievement, it is good to consider that being flexible and adaptable to change and thinking of others can be a route to a long and rewarding working life.”
And as for Mary herself, she can’t envision not working for OC. In an interview to celebrate her 50 years with the firm, she said: “I will stop when I feel I am not giving my best anymore. I really love and enjoy my job.”
Mary is pictured below receiving her award from former BBC law correspondent Joshua Rozenburg.
Congratulations Mary!
