Law Against Loneliness: 15 April

World Cup of Law Firms

Well, it’s finally come to an end and what a ride it’s been.

On Thursday evening the final looked to be over as Baker McKenzie took a strong lead over Bird & Bird, but the latter firm gradually got back into it and finally drew level this morning. A spate of activity in the final hours saw Bird & Bird take the title with 54.7% of nearly 4,000 votes, coming from behind as it had done several times already in the competition.

It held on against one of the world’s largest firms, despite Twitter users with names such as ‘Sexbomb Dyesejhei’ and ‘YIXING #1 HYPEMAN’ urging people to vote for Bakers.

Congratulations TwoBirds! You are, officially, the best law firm in the world according to the nebulous criteria of a poll on Twitter. Feel free to use that quote on all your marketing materials. We also expect to see a little star added to your logo very soon.

We asked the firm for a comment and Graeme Maguire, the newly appointed chair of the board, says: “We are delighted to be the winners of The Lawyer’s inaugural World Cup of Law Firms. Thank you to all our friends and clients who voted for us, we really appreciate your support. A huge shout out to our friends at Baker McKenzie – it was close right until the end! And, also to the semi-finalists Allen & Overy and Freshfields. In such turbulent times, I really enjoyed watching the firm come together and the comradery around our network. All the Twitter comments and email exchanges this generated say a lot about what makes this firm so special. So thanks to The Lawyer for a great competition, and for bringing some light hearted fun to all our days!”

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN WE HAVE A WINNER! ???????????????????????????????????????????? https://t.co/2WTwm01CAy

— The Lawyer (@TheLawyermag) April 15, 2020

Quiz of the Day

Thank-you to James Thompson of Keating Chambers for today’s drinks-themed quiz! Answers tomorrow as always. 

Theme: Drinks

1. What classic cocktail does this recipe make? 1 oz fresh cream – 1 oz cognac – 1 oz crème de cacao
2. What is the key ingredient in the production of tequila?
3. Which famous ex-wrestler turned movie-star is the latest entrant into the high-end tequila market (actual not ring name required)? (Bonus point for naming his or her tequila brand.)
4. What is the name of the fungus which affects wine grapes in order to produce sweet dessert wines, such as Sauternes, seen in the picture below?
5. Which large French luxury goods specialist is the owner of numerous well-known wine and champagne producers, including the world’s most famous sweet wine Chateau d’Yquem?
6. Burgundy producer Domaine de la Romanee-Conti makes some of the world’s most expensive wines. What was the price reached at a Sotheby’s auction in 2018 for a bottle of 1945 Romanee-Conti, representing the world record for the most expensive bottle of wine ever sold: (a) $250,000; (b) $558,000; (c) $1.2m
7. Arrange the following bottle names in order of size, from smallest to largest: Melchior, Salmanazar, Magnum, Jeroboam, Nebuchadnezzar.
8. James Bond is well-known for his favourite tipple, a martini “shaken, not stirred”. Other than the addition of Lillet instead of dry vermouth, how does the cocktail named the “Vesper” differ from Bond’s usual martini?
9. On the subject of famous characters’ favourite drinks, what is Carrie Bradshaw’s cocktail of choice?
10. Port has long been touted for its “healing” properties, so much so that William Pitt the Younger consumed a bottle of port a day from the age of 14 as treatment for gout. True or false?

Video of the Day

And now, an important message from the government, or Sarah Townsend of the Government Legal Service at least, who we assume is singing in an official capacity.

Dog of the day

This is Willow. Hilary Lennox, a barrister at Five St Andrew’s Hill, writes: “She appeared on screen in my private financial dispute resolution hearing and the judge stopped it and said ‘We have an intruder’.”

Her Instagram handle is @willowapple.

The Lawyer Listens

Hawaii-born former surfer Jack Johnson can be described as one of the kings of feel-good music. His melodic songs, partnered with his soft voice (and always great videos), always make for a good companion on days which may seem endless or repetitive.

You’ll find that ‘Upside Down’, out of the soundtrack for 2006 film Curious George, sticks to your head – and your children’s too if you show them the song. Its lyrics will come back to you when things get tough because they are, above all, positive: an essential way out of these uncertain times. -Ana de Liz

Yesterday’s quiz answers

Theme: A Year of Culture

1. Forky
2. Stranger Things
3. David Cameron
4. Fleabag
5. Sanditon
6. Toni Morrison
7. Pulled out of the audience to perform on stage with Dave at Glastonbury
8. Parasite
9. Paige Turley and Finley Tapp
10. Lewisham and Croydon