Stephen Cutler celebrates 50 years as a solicitor
Former Wyong Shire President Stephen Cutler has notched up 50 years as a practising solicitor.
Central Coast
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There is a small saying which hangs on the door of solicitor Stephen Cutler’s office in the heart of The Entrance.
It reads: “Say not you know the character of any other man until you have shared an inheritance with him”.
And it remains as true today as it was when Mr Cutler began practising.
The former Wyong Shire president from 1986-88 has notched up 50 years as a practising solicitor and said he had no plans of slowing down.
“I’m reasonably fit, I go to the gym three or four days a week and I walk a lot,” he said.
“I have clients keeping me very busy. I find it stimulating for my mind and it’s what keeps me going.
“I have said that when I find something better to do, I will do it. So far nothing has challenged the law in that respect.”
Of course, he also has “a very expensive wife”.
Mr Cutler has been on the Central Coast since 1968 and began a sole practice in 1972.
From its inception, his firm has largely dealt with commercial matters and has specialised in conveyancing and other related matters.
He said the opening of Bay Village Shopping Centre in 1983 changed The Entrance, with fewer people coming to shop there.
“I think there’s probably a 20 per cent empty shopfront rate,” he said.
In his time as a solicitor he said the biggest change was the number of women entering law.
“They are leaving us blokes for dead in ability,” he said.
“They are very, very bright. They have worked so hard in their twenties and often by their thirties they are balancing that with having a lovely family.”
Mr Cutler said given he specialised in conveyancing, wills and estates, the Conveyancing Licensing Act (1992) was also a big change.
“Up to the early 1990s the only person who could do conveyancing was if they were a solicitor,” he said.
Property contracts have also changed.
“When I started practising in the late 60s a contract for sale of a property was 1.5 pages long,” he said.
“Now occasionally we’ll see one 1500 pages.”
The 74-year-old is also living proof you are never too old to learn.
“A few years ago, I went back to university to do my Masters in Applied Laws,” he said.
“It was the first time I had sat an exam in 50 years.”
Mr Cutler said his secret to a long and successful career was to have a “well-balanced life”.
“The main thing is to enjoy what you do but you must have good health as well and go to the gym,” he said.
“I go for a 20-minute walk at lunchtime every day.”