Australian lawyers in drinking beer shocker

Forget 1966, yesterday was the greatest performance in a World Cup since 1974. Tulkinghorn went green and gold mad yesterday for the Socceroos, joining the party that rocked the rafters of bars and boardrooms around the country.

There’s no shortage of Australians in the City’s legal ranks, from Nabarro Nathanson senior partner Simon Johnston (who was stuck with a client and hasn’t yet seen the game) to the dozen project finance lawyers now working at Berwin Leighton Paisner.

While the Aussie faithful gathered in Walkabouts across West London, Minter Ellison entertained a patriotic and excitable crowd of about 500 at the CityPoint Corney & Barrow - surely the biggest party of the World Cup yet.

It wasn’t all “no worries mate” though, as a few Minters lawyers and their guests were throwing evil eyes at the small group of Japanese traders who politely clapped their way through the first 80 minutes.

In fact, our spy was wondering if the world had gone mad - Australia trailing, failing to find the net, beer supplies running dangerously low, and sharing irreverent commentary on the game with Merrill Lynch lawyers from New Zealand and London.

But it all ended well, with a 3-1 victory to Australia. Tulkinghorn isn't sure whether Minters London managing partner Rob Hanley and his team could define the offside rule, but the lager was cracking.

And it's 1-0 to Minter Ellison; Mallesons were nowhere to be seen.