by Gretchen C. Lee
A few legal pads and files are scattered on his desk. A calendar is sitting on the corner of his desk. The walls are lined with legal books. No computer is in sight. He sits comfortably behind his desk as he has for many years. In fact, seventy-three years later he is still practicing law. Admitted to the Utah Bar in 1933, Richard L. Bird, Jr. is the most senior practicing attorney in Utah. Nearly a centenarian, he will turn one hundred in April 2007, Mr. Bird can still be found most days at his office at 333 East 400 South at the firm of Richards, Bird and Kump.
Born and raised in Salt Lake City, Mr. Bird graduated from the University of Utah and then attended Harvard Law School. After graduating from Harvard in 1933 he returned to Utah for several years before accepting a position in the Anti-Trust Division of the Department of Justice in Washington DC. After four years in Washington he decided it was time to come home and "be a part of the Utah community." Upon his return he clerked at the Utah Supreme Court, worked at both the Tax Commission and legislature, before finally turning to private practice.
Probate and domestic relations have been the heart of his practice. Lynn S. Richards, the senior partner of the firm passed away in 2001 at the age of 100. These days the firm consists of his son, David J. Bird, and Rod Kump. Mr. Kump has been practicing with Mr. Bird for over fifty years and still feels extremely fortunate to have joined such a solid firm and could not imagine having found a better man to work with stating, "He is a fine, honest, gentleman and a good lawyer."
As the years have passed, Mr. Bird admits that it is difficult to keep up with both the technological and legal changes but recognizes that he has a wonderful support staff which includes his secretary who has worked with him for over forty years. Despite his age creeping up on him he works about as hard today as he did years ago. He has, however, slowed down a bit on the golf course. An ever-present figure on the links at the Utah Bar conventions, he only made it out once last year and has yet to pick up the clubs this year.
Back at the office, however, he has no plans to close up shop. When recently asked whether he has thought about retiring he stated that although he has thought about retiring he has never taken it seriously. If only we could all feel that way about our careers.