[Rancorous]

This is really sad news. I've found all your posts really helpful and interesting - in fact, I found your posts probably the most helpful of all on on this site. If I was confused on something, I've often searched posts under your user name to see if you've spoken about it. I'm really sorry to see you go.

[peachmelba]

Was searching for something else and came across this Chalks classic (on the subject of being a sleazy trainees at VS time = one of the few perks of being a trainee):

"Michael is currently enjoying his third seat in corporate finance. Here's what he has to say: 'I love the really long hours and the chance to work on the absolute top of the range photocopying machines and coffee percolators: the resources here are amazing. I haven't seen daylight for about three weeks now but I really appreciate the efforts the firm has gone to in order to minimise my risk of skin cancer. I did a vacation scheme here a couple of years ago and loved it. Now I'm a trainee, I'm particularly looking forward to making drunken advances on an unsuspecting female vac schemer after 4 jugs of Pimms in Exchange Square. Personally, I think my combination of ill-fitting suit, palid skin and laughable conversation skills make me a sure fire winner with the ladies"

[chalks]

Many thanks for the kind words - they are much appreciated. It's certainly good to hear that I've helped some of you in some way although I don't think I can take credit for your TC Blinkbelle!

I'd also like to echo Simon's thoughts on his own thread (although it's normally Counsel who echo the thoughts of their solicitors...). The reason I started posting on this forum was to try and inject a little realism into some of the topics and correct some of the ridiculous opinionated garbage that was being posted under the guise of "fact".

Now, I wouldn't want the forum to turn into nothing more than a site where boring qualified lawyers like SM and myself pontificate on all matters legal (we do that at work). By all means argue, banter and debate! But if you don't know the answer to something, don't pretend you do. There are too many school students purporting to know what law firms regard as the best Universities. Likewise, there are too many uni students purporting to know what life as a practising lawyer is like.

I agree with SM that those who take at face value what they read on here are probably lacking some of the critical skills needed as a lawyer. That doesn't mean though that posters shouldn't exercise a degree of care when posting their views on this forum.