Complex sentence: For more than twenty years Mr. Perley was a familiar figure in court and professional circles in Essex county and was known as a capable, conscientious and successful lawyer, and one whose policy was to discourage rather than promote litigation.
Split into simpler sentences: For more than twenty years, Perley was a familiar figure in court and professional circles within Essex County. He was known as a capable, conscientious, and successful lawyer--one whose policy was to discourage rather than promote litigation.