Why would they be recruiting someone who is 17 when I would suspect that the usual process involved law school graduates.
There were law school graduates but articles was quiet normal.
The reason was you were paid little.
I started on six pounds a week if I had worked for a bank I would have got double.
You were a glorified go for.
But you would get to do stuff the solicitors did not like doing such as debt collecting, and I was entrusted to draw memorandum and articles of association for a fire work company which was just hard tedious slog but it was a first and usually there were precedents for any company so one never had to start from scratch so I learnt the hard way.
I ended up running the mortgage section which was routine but great experience.
I negotiated a huge contract for my Jewish mate way past what he expected and I can say now I feel proud, it was me against some fancy corporate lawyers and I conned them with my play bumb approach.
Also made that guy equivalent to six years income by getting land rezoned when everyone thought it impossible.
I never went to court because you would just brief a young barrister but unlike all the others I would prepare briefs that all they had to do was read it and I gave them the case law etc.
The game worked this way.
On the court day both barristers would turn up expecting to settle out of court. I would set up my guy so he could go on. These were small matters.
Barristers were happy to settle cause they got paid for the day but finished by morning tea.
I would dig in my heels knowing my guy was prepared and demand we fight.
Well I would get a very favorable settlement or go on and win.
I also had made friends with the guys in the government insurance office so I knew who could make decisions up to what pay out.
So I could negotiate in a range and settle without going to court.
Most would not do that because it met less money but I extracted higher settlements and got a bit of a name.
I gave it away because I ended up working for people and winning and I did not like them but well you know,your client, you have to do the right thing.
Plus it got to the stage where the phone would ring at home and I would tremble.
Just got too much and I won't do anything if I don't like what I am doing.
I had signed up for a partnership but realised I did not want it.
Money never was my motivation I just wanted to help folk and in real estate people could see I saw them as people not a pay day.
In both law and real estate you stand out if you are genuine.
So I have been lucky two careers and the life of a peasant.
Done other things on the side promoting bike races even a movie which failed but I went thru the actions..the camera man shot thru with all the footage and I have not caught up with him to this day.
So that's it.
So I don't care about much or feel a need to one up anyone cause I think I have had a life full of things you could make a movie about.
Very very lucky.
Alex