Rooted in heritage, driven by progress

Greene & Greene was founded in 1893 by John Wollaston Greene, soon joined by his brother Kenneth. From the start, the firm was shaped by a spirit of service and leadership—John served as Registrar to the Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, while his wife, Eva Paulina Boughey, broke barriers as the first female Mayor of Bury St Edmunds.

In 1930, a young John Le Mesurier joined as an articled clerk before trading law books for scripts—later becoming a household name as Sergeant Wilson in Dad’s Army.

By 1937, we had moved into our current home at 80 Guildhall Street, a striking Queen Anne building in the heart of Bury St Edmunds.

As the town flourished through the 1960s and beyond, so did we—growing through strategic recruitment, strong client relationships, and a deep commitment to our community. Since the early 1970s, Greene & Greene has steadily expanded its footprint at 80 Guildhall Street. Starting with additional leased space in 1971, the firm went on to acquire a nearby warehouse in 1983 for archives and parking. In 1991, a new two-storey office rose on the former vegetable patch, followed by the redevelopment of the derelict Old Stables in 2002 into a dedicated space for Administration and Accounts. The expansion culminated in 2005 with the construction of the South Wing and four large meeting rooms, reinforcing our long-term commitment to remaining at the heart of Bury St Edmunds.

The last 60 years have seen Greene & Greene grow from a 20-person team to a thriving firm of over 45 lawyers—including 19 Partners—supported by a dedicated group of legal secretaries and support staff. Our lawyers now advise across a broad spectrum of legal disciplines, from Company Commercial and Employment to Family, Commercial and Residential Property, and Private Client matters. Recognised by leading legal directories as the premier single-site law firm in East Anglia, we’re known for our depth of expertise, personal service, and a reputation that “punches above its weight.”

Notable members of staff

Greene & Greene has a history of long serving partners and staff members. Michael Batt, who joined the firm in 1968 as an articled clerk, retired as senior partner in November 2012 after 44 years, before sadly passing away in 2023. Michael Batty also followed the same path, joining the firm as a trainee solicitor in 1988 and becoming senior partner in 2016. Christine Faiers-Sanderson joined as a 16-year-old office junior, before being promoted to  legal secretary. Christine retired on 31 July 2020 after 53 years of loyal and uninterrupted service. There are currently eight members of staff who have been here for over 35 years each.

Other facts

  • The first annual office dinner was held in 1963 and has been held every year since, only temporarily postponed on one occasion due to snow and in 2021 due to the global pandemic.
  • The firm represented the families of the 18 members of Bury St Edmunds Rugby Club who were tragically killed in the Ermenonville air disaster on 3rd March 1974. In total, 335 passengers and 11 crew were killed. Partner, John Sheerin, coordinated accident claims brought in the USA and France against the airplane manufacturer and others. The firm was proud to be a main sponsor for the 50th Anniversary Memorial Cycle Ride in September 2024 where riders, including Partners Jonathan Mathers and Hugo Greer-Walker, cycled 354 miles from Ermenonville Forest, France, back to Bury St Edmunds, raising over £200,000.