Members of the profession have paid tribute to Kevin Commons, the Cumbrian solicitor killed by a local man who shot 12 people dead in a killing spree before shooting himself last week.

Kevin Joseph Commons, 60, is thought to have been the second victim of gunman Derrick Bird. Commons, who is understood to have represented Bird’s family, was found dead in the driveway of his house in Frizington.

Commons was senior partner at KJ Commons & Co, the firm he founded in 1991, which now has offices in Whitehaven, Carlisle and Workington.

Admitted in 1983, he was a solicitor advocate who practised in criminal law; landlord and tenant; general litigation; personal injury; and licensing law.

Prior to starting up his own firm, he had been a partner at local firms Lightfoots and Michael Cain & Kerr.

Tim Frost, a criminal solicitor at KJ Commons & Co who worked alongside Mr Commons, said: ‘Kevin was a solicitor who was of the old school, who actually cared about his clients. He’d take on people regardless of their means, and would often represent people for nothing where legal aid was refused.’

‘He was a great believer in the underdog and a very strong character; a big man physically and in his presence on the local legal scene. He was sometimes a maverick figure, and commanded a great deal of respect.’

Frost said: ‘Kevin very much believed that we were working in a community, not just because we’re a small area, but because all parties in the criminal justice system need to work together to get the job done. We sometimes have to be adversaries, but we are not enemies.

‘The amount of support we have had from the profession, clients, and the community has been amazing. It has helped the firm and shows how much he was respected. He will be very greatly missed,’ said Frost.

Judith Crisp, honorary secretary of West Cumberland Law Society, said Commons had been a member of the society for many years.

‘We are all truly shocked by these events, and are trying to support our professional colleagues at this difficult time. Our thoughts go out to all who knew and worked alongside him, especially his business partner Marcus Nickson who has worked with him for 18 years, and other members of his practice.’

Rodney Warren, director of the Criminal Law Solicitors Association, said Commons had been a valued CLSA member for many years. He said: ‘The association is as one in expressing its sympathy to Kevin’s family, members of his firm and his wider circle of friends and colleagues. The sense of loss is felt by the nation, but the personal pain is known only to those closest to him. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.’