The Partners of Laytons, and formerly Silverman Sherliker, are sad to announce that Edward Kramer, one of the country's longest serving solicitors, has died at the age of 93.
Edward was born in the east end of London and grew up in Stoke Newington and was evacuated to Godalming in World War 2, attending Charterhouse School. He and his brothers were left orphans when his parents and elder sister were tragically killed in a bombing raid.
He went on to serve in the RAF as a radar operator during his National Service. He qualified as a solicitor in 1954, later setting up his own practice, first in Gray's Inn and then in Carey Street, WC2, and built up a successful and well-respected private client and property practice.
In 1987 he joined Silverman Sherliker solicitors, in Bouverie Street, intending to hand over his practice and retire in a few years. Silverman Sherliker later found alternative offices in EC2 which at first he was agreeable with, but when they admitted that it was the very edge of EC2 and it was actually Shoreditch, he nearly retired on the spot… however he could not be deterred and ended up practicing until the age of 90.
Edward was extremely dedicated to and proud of his profession, combining a high ethical standard with true compassion and consideration for his clients and colleagues.
The partners recall that when an underground strike halted London and stopped most people from getting to the office, he cycled all the way from Arnos Grove despite being well into his 70s at the time.
The merger of Silverman Sherliker with Laytons in 2017 might have seemed an opportune moment for him to retire, but not so, he simply switched his route to London Bridge, and from there continued to diligently and effectively support the growing property team until the Covid lockdown prevented him attending the office.
His grandson, speaking at Edward’s funeral described his grandfather as an analogue lawyer in a digital age, an apt description and a testament to his unwavering dedication to his work. Yet that did not mean he was not progressive in his thoughts or practice. He was simply a font of knowledge and over the years was always the go-to person when anyone in the firm wanted wise counsel on any issue.
At Silverman Sherliker, Edward became a mentor to a succession of trainees and paralegals, some of whom who went on to become solicitors and partners at some of the leading law firms. There can be few lawyers who were still practicing into their 90s whose funeral was so well attended by colleagues past and present, including the many junior lawyers he had mentored over the years.
Edward is survived by his wife Liliane, with whom he had a long and happy marriage, and his three children and grandchildren, two of whom followed him into the legal profession, as well as one great-grandson.
He will be sadly missed but not forgotten.