A former member of the Attorney General's Chambers has returned to private practice.

But this time he will be heading up his own firm.

Wilhelm Bourne yesterday told The Royal Gazette he is hoping to open Bourne & Company, in Suite 305 on the third floor of The Imperial Building on Church Street, on December 1.

Mr. Bourne completed his pupilage at Mello & Hollis before he was called to the Bermuda Bar in 1990.

He specialised in litigation at the firm, which became Mello, Hollis, Jones & Martin, for the next four years before moving to the Attorney General's Chambers.

He remained there until September when he took up the post of an Acting Magistrate.

Last week he completed his stint in the lower court in preparation for the opening of his law firm.

"It's been a dream of mine for some time,'' Mr. Bourne admitted.

While he enjoyed his time with Mello, Hollis, Jones & Martin and in the Attorney General's Chambers, he said he had to think of what was best for his family and the community in the long term.

"Having reassessed my position,'' he said, "I've come to the decision that this is what I should do, not only in terms of my personal goals, but to accommodate the development of my family. And the community can also benefit from my experience.'' Asked if he feared that he was entering an already saturated market, Mr.

Bourne said he believed the more lawyers there were, the better for the community.

"The public has more of a choice,'' Mr. Bourne explained. "It's probably better for the public. In previous years, you did not have a broad choice.

"Now there are much many lawyers. This business is like any service business.

Success in it depends on the way you handle your client matters, your clients and the satisfaction you give them.

"It's just like going to the doctor. You want to feel comfortable discussing personal things. You also want to feel comfortable with your attorney discussing personal things. It is a question of satisfying your client, keeping your client happy.'' Mr. Bourne will be practising in a variety of legal areas, including civil, criminal, corporate trust and estate planning.

But he said he would like to focus on Planning law and procedures.

"It is an area I would like to develop more,'' Mr. Bourne noted. "I don't think there are many lawyers who are knowledgeable about Planning. There are a few who are very knowledgeable. But it is a very technical area.'' A decision to take on other lawyers at Bourne & Company will depend on how the business develops, he added.

Mr. Bourne, who is also the vice president of the Hamilton Rotary Club, described himself as an avid sports fan.

"I like to play golf, cricket -- even though I have not for some time, tennis and squash,'' he said, adding that he would like to improve his golf game if his business commitments allowed him.

Mr. Bourne and his wife, Linda, have two children -- Sabrina and Mark.

Wilhelm Bourne