“If elephants didn’t exist, you couldn’t invent one. They belong to a small group of living things so unlikely they challenge credulity and common sense.”

-Lyall Watson

Once upon a time, the world was very different. Everywhere you went, there were elephants. Our profession was full of them. Issues too sensitive to discuss. Stuff best left unsaid.

Today we live in braver times. Those taboo subjects such as race, religion, sexuality, mental health and a myriad of others are spoken of with openness, frankness and a genuine desire for understanding, acceptance and inclusivity.

But let's not fool ourselves. As the world seems to increasingly divide between right and left, as wars in the so called name of religion dominate our planet and as political issues become more subjectively responded to, opening our mouths can be like stepping on a landmine.

At CitySolicitor, we are proud, not scared, to put our head above the parapet. We are not here to air our opinions but to unearth the facts and to present them from different perspectives in the hope that a more educated knowledge can help mend rifts.

In this issue we tackle some particularly difficult subjects. We address the accusation that solicitors act unethically and, as one consequence, may no longer be allowed to hold their clients' monies on account. We talk to the new CEO of the CLLS who is very openly, proudly and loudly gay about changes he wants to see. We highlight a scheme that has spent a decade helping young people who in olden days may never have been able to do more than dream of entering our profession equip themselves with all they need to become our lawyers of tomorrow. And we highlight the quest of one very outspoken woman who was not afraid to take on (and beat) the Government when she felt they were wrong.

We are not going to hide from elephants. Or allow a small group of living things to challenge our credulity or our common sense. ■

At CitySolicitor, we are proud, not scared, to put our head above the parapet. We are not here to air our opinions but to unearth the facts and to present them from different perspectives in the hope that a more educated knowledge can help mend rifts.