I’m a celebrity lawyer - AMA

[SandyCanes]

I work for a lot of very high profile and famous names in the media, business, politics. It recently occurred to me how random it is that I fell into this work..every time I put on the tv I nearly always see a client! AMA!

How often do you get offered bribes.
Are any of them, or are you, “in with” judges and can therefore sway decisions?

How do you square posting on this forum with your ethical responsibilities to your clients?

What's your speciality?

What sway do you have with the press? I know from a previous job that one newspaper had a cache of “we can’t publish this” photos.

Who are you representing - Coleen or Rebekah? 🤣🤣

Hi OP, I'm a less interesting lawyer (property solicitor) so I know you won't have sway with judges etc, your qualification is too precious. But tell me, is the rumour about the Earl of Grantham true?

Will we really see the end of Super Injunctions in our lifetime?

A buddy of mine worked for the Murdoch group (forget the actual name, but The Sun etc) some time ago in their libel team. I could never, ever get anything out of her. She just used to say "all I know for sure, is that Brucie ((Forsythe) is clean, thank God"!!

What’s the worst celeb scandal you have seen brushed under the carpet obviously I know you can’t use names but intrigued to see what they can get away with 😆

What would first year law student you think of what your career has become?

@SendHelp30

How often do you get offered bribes. Are any of them, or are you, “in with” judges and can therefore sway decisions?

Never! Sometimes in jest, but never seriously.

Some are ‘in with’ judges in the sense that they know them but I have not yet witnessed a judge being swayed, thankfully. I am not in with the judges - I’m mid 40s so there are still many people higher in the pecking order above me who have been in the game much longer!

@herethereandeverywhere

How do you square posting on this forum with your ethical responsibilities to your clients?

Not sure it’s relevant? I’m not about to disclose anything I shouldn’t.

@unmarkedbythat

What would first year law student you think of what your career has become?

I actually fell into this area...hate that expression but it’s the best way to describe it. I didn’t plan to work in this area and I do some other work for other clients but over the years it’s become very celeb central.

Solicitor or barrister?

How did you end up in this practice area?

Oops x post second question.

@IrmaFayLear

What sway do you have with the press? I know from a previous job that one newspaper had a cache of “we can’t publish this” photos.

None other than if they were about to print something they shouldn’t/if they did print something they shouldn’t then we would take action. No personal connections with the papers sadly.

The Earl of Grantham is deffo on Santa’s naughty list (but the secret version).

Have you ever presented a celebrity client who gives you the creeps?

not about to disclose anything I shouldn’t.

@AdoraBell

Have you ever presented a celebrity client who gives you the creeps?

Yes. Some are very entitled. Others lovey. I guess just like the mix you’d get in the general public!

One thing I have noticed is that a lot have far less money than you’d think/are in more precarious financial situations than you would assume.

Is it true that lots of celebs have relationship agreements? In the sense that they have a relationship purely for publicity reasons? Blind Gossip mentions these a lot so I wonder how true it is.

Do you think there are any outdated or misused laws/loopholes that should be changed?
I'm thinking along the lines of libel reform etc. I'm aware the UK is used as a libel battleground at times (whereas other countries have different free speech laws).
I'm not at all against people being able to sue for libel as I believe truth in press is essential but some of the finer points e.g. anyone being able to drag anyone through the courts at great cost (I'm generalising) isn't necessarily always for the best?

@MinecraftMother

Hi OP, I'm a less interesting lawyer (property solicitor) so I know you won't have sway with judges etc, your qualification is too precious. But tell me, is the rumour about the Earl of Grantham true?

Will we really see the end of Super Injunctions in our lifetime?

A buddy of mine worked for the Murdoch group (forget the actual name, but The Sun etc) some time ago in their libel team. I could never, ever get anything out of her. She just used to say "all I know for sure, is that Brucie ((Forsythe) is clean, thank God"!!

I’ve no idea! The papers work sounds interesting...I’m not involved in that but have some clients who are bringing those claims with other law firms.

Have you ever had to represent someone that you really didn't want to?

How much are you paid?

I used to work for a busy criminal defence solicitors practice in the South East as a paralegal and practice manager, only had a couple of minor celebrities as clients for traffic offences, would have been much more interesting with major celebs! Mind you, with the stuff that went on behind the scenes in our office, I have always said I should write a book called “Is it legal?” and that’s just with regards to the staff! Maybe I’ll use lockdown to make a start under a nom de plume (so that my ex boss doesn’t try and sue me)!

Do you think the Johnny Depp v The Sun outcome was the right one? Do you think he’ll successfully appeal?