ALBURY lawyer Tony Brandt is closing the door on a legal career in the city dating back more than 50 years.
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The practice he started up in 2001 after a lengthy stint with his original employer, Belbridge Hague, will merge with another Albury firm, Kell Moore from July 1.
Mr Brandt plans to stay on in the transition phase, which includes the majority of his staff also moving to Kell Moore, before eventually retiring.
"I call what I have done mums and dads law," he said.
"It is looking after the family farm, their small business, doing their wills, looking after succession planning.
"I have always regarded my role as helping people."
Originally from Coolamon, Mr Brandt attended Albury Grammar School, which later became The Scots School, in the 1960s.
After attending Sydney University he was offered his first job at Belbridge Hague by the late Did Simpson, who was the Albury Grammar School council president at the time.
He rose to a partner in the firm before leaving in 2001.
One of the highest profile cases Mr Brandt was involved in was the 2003 coronial inquest into the deaths of Tristram Rich, 16, and Joshua French, 15, after a police chase along the Hume Freeway in December 2001.
Mr Brandt represented Rich's mother Mrs Michelle Bailey with Coroner Graham Johnston recommending Victoria Police change the way they conducted high-speed pursuits.
Mr Brandt attempted a shot at politics when Deputy Prime Minister Tim Fischer retired ahead of the 2001 federal election.
He stood for National Party preselection, but was beaten by Corowa's Bill Bott.
Mr Brandt has also held a myriad of community-based roles where his legal expertise has been called on.
They include the honorary solicitor roles with Riverina Sports Car Club, Albury-Wodonga Clay Target Club, Albury Harness Racing Club, Albury-Wodonga Yacht Club, Ettamogah Wildlife Sanctuary, St Vincent de Paul Society, Lutheran Rest Home and Slovenian Twin Cities Club.
Mr Brandt has been a long-time member of the Rotary Club of Albury Hume and been presented with a Paul Harris Fellow.
He has also had senior roles with Albury Club, Albury and District Law Society, Border Medical Association, Kalparrin and Wodonga TAFE.
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