Ann Muddiman retires after 33 years at SME Solicitors

Posted on: 29/05/2026

Category: Firm news

Today marked Ann Muddiman’s last day at SME Solicitors. Ann is one of the firm’s longest-serving members of staff, having started at John Stallard & Co. in March 1993.

Ann began her working career in 1979 and has spent time at several firms across the West Midlands. She has worked across various fields, including residential conveyancing, criminal law and family law. At one point, she worked in the personal injury department at Stallard’s and travelled to their Leicester office every day for six months. John Stallard & Co. later merged with March & Edwards in 2011, with Ann joining the combined team at SME Solicitors.

Despite having shared a room with almost everyone in the office, Ann eventually settled in our dispute resolution department, working most recently alongside Guy Salter, David Denovan-Smith and Jack Coleman. She has been described as ‘dedicated and conscientious’ by her colleagues and says that she will especially miss her team, with whom she manages to have a laugh even in stressful moments.

Ann says: “I have worked over many years with such lovely work colleagues both at John Stallard & Co. and latterly since the merger with SME. I will miss especially Guy, David and Jack in the Dispute Resolution department - every day we manage to have a laugh even when it can be very stressful at times.

The only advice I could give to anyone starting new at the firm is to be friendly to other members of staff and especially to clients, always return telephone calls and go out of your way to ask how people are, however busy you are.

I am looking forward most in my retirement to not having to set the alarm clock for 6.30 every morning and the 40-minute commute, especially in bad weather, to and from Herefordshire. I am looking forward to having more ‘me time’ and to do more travelling with my husband, but I shall miss SME terribly.”

In the time that we have worked alongside her, Ann has been a constant, integral part of the firm and the office will truly not be the same without her. We wish her all the best in her retirement and will miss her very much!