Public enemy

Walking Cosmo, my dog, through the streets of Kensington, I am always surprised by the sheer number of people that stop me wanting to pat him on the head, give him a stroke or a full-blown cuddle.

Of course, Cosmo always enjoys the attention and is happy to sit and be made a fuss of. It has to be said, however, that this show of affection tends to be absent from café, restaurant and some pub owners who still refuse access to dogs. Forced to sit outside to have lunch is rather pleasant in the summer but a bit trying during the winter; however, Cosmo enjoys sitting on the pavement watching us eat our lunch in the knowledge that he generally gets quite a few titbits.

So, what is it that makes dogs cuddly and the vast majority of people seemingly despise lawyers? On a recent visit to Holland, I was talking to a Dutch lawyer who told me that in a recent poll of popularity among professionals, lawyers came in almost last and well behind second-hand car dealers. This seems ridiculous, but looked at dispassionately it has to be said that the public perception of lawyers is that of fat cats whizzing along on a gravy train, driving fast cars and making large wedges of cash.

There is a feeling that lawyers do very little for their money; they over-charge and are distant, scary people, and, as a result, our public persona could do with some polishing.

Public understanding

Going back to the dog, it is fair comment that I do not urinate in the street, eat old chicken bones or shed hair all over the office (except when the Legal Services Commission makes me pull out my own) but still the dog is loved and the lawyer appears to be hated. How can this be?

There is an urgent need for the Law Society or lawyers generally to do something about their public image and to make the public understand that we do a difficult, extremely worthwhile and at times very stressful job. In the case of legal aid lawyers, we often work for a meagre reward.

While doctors and dentists are generally well liked because many people see them on a regular basis, the vast majority of people only go to see a lawyer on a few occasions. Perhaps to make a will, maybe to buy or sell a property, or if they have the misfortune to be going through a divorce. Certainly, in my experience, people are still scared to come in to a solicitors' office. They think that the minute they sit down some clock will start ticking and money will start emptying from their wallet by some strange process of osmosis.

There appears to be a huge public ignorance about what goes on. Will they be charged for waiting in the reception area? Will they be charged if they have to cancel their appointment? Matters are probably not helped by media portrayals of lawyers, and it would certainly help if something could be done to explain to the public what lawyers do, and make them more aware of what actually goes on in a law firm.

Perhaps there is a role here for better legal course content at school. For instance, there is a huge difference between a lawyer working for a banking practice in the City and a lawyer doing domestic violence injunctions in Wembley.

Breaking the mould

Of course, some lawyers simply make life difficult for themselves. The average solicitors' office is not a very welcoming place. During my visit to Holland, I went to a firm whose office was extremely client friendly. The front reception area had a small table and chairs designed for children, there was a clean and well-stocked box of toys, crayons and paper, and in the meeting rooms there were cutting edge and very modern art pieces which made one feel as though you were sitting in a gallery rather than a legal practice.

The very first office I worked in was full of dark wood panelling, ominous library shelves full of dusty volumes that nobody ever looked at and, while my current office is as far removed from that as could possibly be the case, it might be argued that it is still a relatively typical solicitors' office.

It is going to be difficult to make lawyers as cuddly as Cosmo the dog. He does have that bottled magnetism that attracts people and make them want to stroke him. Having a furry coat and silky ears does help. I doubt whether that is ever going to be the case for lawyers as a breed, but it would be nice to think that something is being done to cure misconceptions and generally polish our brand. Even Cosmo goes to the poodle parlour once a month for a thorough grooming, shampoo, nail trim and brush-up. Perhaps us lawyers should do something similar.