One of Andy’s greatest sources of pride has been the loyalty of clients. Many have returned to him time and again, trusting his expertise and no-nonsense approach. "I must be doing something right, or they wouldn’t come back.” His ability to balance robust legal advice with a touch of humour made him not only a trusted solicitor but also a well-liked colleague. One memorable email exchange sums up his style—after a solicitor thanked him by mistakenly writing "many tanks", Andy quipped back, "How many? There is only limited space in the car park." More than anything, Andy will miss working closely with his colleague Manjit, with whom he has collaborated for over 11 years. He will also miss the camaraderie at the firm— whether it’s the football banter or the overall sense of mutual respect and tolerance. "I do like the ambience here," he reflects. "There’s a great degree of tolerance, and as far as I can tell, diversity has never been an issue— it’s a meritorious and noteworthy workplace." As he steps into retirement, Andy is looking forward to a well-earned break. His plans include exercising, decluttering, spending time with friends, and indulging in his pas- sion for poetry, with the hope of getting some of his work published. He also intends to travel, exploring both the UK and parts of Europe that he and his wife haven’t visited yet—though he jokes that he’s "not hitchhik- ing across the Andes just yet. For those continuing at the firm, Andy leaves a simple but crucial piece of advice: "Read the documents! Know who you are acting for and where your responsibility ends. Give the client the choice rather than making assumptions." As Andy moves on to this exciting new phase, we extend our deepest gratitude for his years of service, his expertise, and his humour. He has been an integral part of Harold Benja- min, and while he (and his annual Christmas poem!) will certainly be missed, we wish him all the best for the future.
After more than a decade at Harold Benjamin, Andy Finkel is moving towards a well-earned retirement. His contribution to the firm has been both significant and deeply valued. From his expertise in residential property to his leadership in lease extensions and enfranchisement, Andy has left a lasting impact. As he embarks on a new chapter, we reflect on his journey, his achievements, and his plans for the future. Andy’s association with Harold Benjamin began in 2013, following the merger of his previous firm, Ireland Abrahams, with Harold Benjamin. He had originally joined his previous practice in 2004, invited by his long-time friends Jeffrey and Stella Abrahams. In 2009, Andy stepped into the role of Managing Partner. Jeff developed leukaemia in 2011 and, sadly, passed away the following year. The emotional strain of continuing without his close friend led Andy and Stella to seek a new path. The merger with Harold Benjamin offered that opportunity, and on 30th September 2013, Andy, alongside Stella and another colleague Manjit Dhanda, transitioned to the firm where Andy joined as a partner. Moving from running his own practice to being part of a larger, more structured organisation was an adjustment. As Andy describes it, "It was like going from piloting a microlight to being a crew member on a jumbo jet." Though he had to adapt to new ways of working, the move allowed him to focus on his legal expertise rather than the pressures of managing a firm. Andy quickly became the firm’s go-to expert on lease extensions and enfranchisement, managing 50–100 cases at any given time. His meticulous approach and commitment to efficiency led to significant changes in how these matters were handled, including a shift towards paperless working long before it became the norm. "I wouldn’t have thought about it 10 years ago, but by the time lockdown came, new files were already paper-free in my area, and it didn’t cause much friction for me when we were required to do this as a matter of course during the Covid-19 crisis." Andy was also part of the team involved in rolling out paperless working throughout the firm.
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