3 minute read
EDITOR'S LETTER
WELCOME TO THE AUTUMN EDITION OF CITY SOLICITOR MAGAZINE.
There’s a scene from A Few Good Men (1992) that lives rent-free in my mind. Jack Nicholson delivers his iconic line, “You can’t handle the truth!” after being pressed into a corner by a much younger Tom Cruise. It’s a reminder that truth and ethics, can be uncomfortable, and even those sworn to uphold it sometimes struggle to face it.
Recently, within the board, we debated whether to engage directly with the political pressures being placed on law firms by the Trump administration. Opinions differed, as they should in any healthy discussion. What united us, however, was the recognition that these events highlight how fragile the rule of law can be when tested.
In this edition, we continue our focus on ethics and the profession’s duty to act. We speak to the Bingham Centre, who reminds us that the future of the rule of law cannot be left to lawyers alone. It must be defended, debated, and understood widely across society.
But should it be the role of lawyers to educate the public? We are, by extension, part of the judicial arm. If not us, then who?
Legal ethics, too, is shifting. Our duty is to act in our client’s best interests. Yet the line between that and “doing the right thing” is increasingly blurred. As Iain Miller points out in his commentary on the LSB consultation on professional ethics, the real challenge is getting that balance right - more regulation may not be the answer.
We reflect on Edmund Parker’s year of leadership and introduce Virginia Cannon, our new Solicitor Master, whose plans to bring the Company and the Bar closer together include our first-ever joint Livery Dinner with the Inner Temple.
We also celebrate the work of City Solicitors Horizons in widening access to the profession, and we welcome Patrick McCann, the new CEO of the CLLS, who shares his vision for strengthening both our profession and its public standing.
Lastly, we offer our sincere thanks and appreciation to Matthew Rous as he steps down as CEO. His calming presence in the boardroom and steadfast ability to guide the CLLS forward will be greatly missed.
And because the life of a solicitor should not be only about law. We speak to Sunny Hodge, founder of Diogenes the Dog, my favourite wine bar in Elephant and Castle (a secret I can no longer keep), whose new book brings the science of winemaking to life. We also travel to Wales to experience Ynyshir Restaurant and Rooms, a two-Michelin-starred retreat that has become one of the UK’s most celebrated dining destinations.
The elephant in the room remains. The rule of law is on trial, and the jury is watching. The question is: can we, as a profession, handle the truth and are we willing to speak to it?
