@andrewmmorris

Today we’re tweeting UK crim lawyer, singer/songwriter/guitarist & former support artist for Peter Green & Friends @andrewmmorris

1. @Andrewmmorris, thank you for joining us on Twitter. Tell us, who is @Andrewmmorris?
   I am a solicitor advocate (Criminal Law) by day and a singer/songwriter and composer by night.
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2. Tell us about your law practice.
   I am a criminal solicitor specialising in Crown Court cases and representing those charged with serious criminal offences
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3. Exactly what type of clients do you represent?
   Those charged with criminal offences, but these can range from the very minor to the most serious
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4. And what would you say is the single most important legal issue affecting those clients?
   the right to defend themselves against allegations to protect their freedom
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5. What do you tell every new client before you start working for them?
   I don’t have a set phrase about what I tell a client, it depends on each clients situation as I have to act in their best interest
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6. Makes sense…. Tell us about one of the more significant client representations you’ve had.
   This is really difficult for me to go into these cases. I have a duty of client confidentiality. But think Rumpole of the Bailey!!
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7. Fabulous! And that last tweet may also work as an answer to this question: Why do your clients hire you?
   am not sure why they hire me.I like to think Its because the client has confidence in my ability to defend them passionately
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8. That’s a strong selling point…. What’s the most active area of your practice at the current time? Is that typical?
   don’t have those kind of stats but there is always need for a criminal lawyer, as you can imagine especially in the current climate
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9. Indeed. Tell us a bit about your successful second career as a singer / songwriter / musician: http://mysp.ac/gs7oAJ
   Yes, played at glastonbury, supported @MarillionOnline , supported Peter Green, released two EPs, now writing for @Imagem_Music
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10. Wow. Does composing and performing music make you a better lawyer? In what ways?
    Performing certainly does, gives you confidence in public speaking and in court. Also teaches you team work when playing in a band
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11. How do you manage to juggle two very demanding careers? Do you think you’ll ever have to choose between the two?
    When you do two things you love its never hard to find time to do both, although my wife might disagree(!)
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12. How do you describe what you do to people you meet at a cocktail party?
    I say am a lawyer by day, musician by night like a wierd superhero. People’s reactions are different but most people are intrigued.
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13. I certainly was…. When did you become active on Twitter? What were your objectives then? Have they changed?
    My objectives were to meet like minded people and learn more from others and as a forum to express myself and to promote my music.
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14. What does the leadership of your firm think of your Twitter / other social media presence?
    I don ‘t represent my firm on Twitter. I only represent myself and my music.
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15. I see. All the same, have your Web 2.0 activities led to any opportunities for your practice?
    Not yet!!
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16. Perhaps one day…. Let’s switch gears: What is the most significant issue currently facing the legal profession?
    For Criminal law its the Legal Aid budget in the UK , which is undergoing consultations to shake up the fee structure.
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17. What will the legal landscape look like in 10 years?
    Solicitors and barristers profession may be merged or at least they will be working together under the same professional body.
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18. I probably know the answer to this one, but what would you do if you weren’t a lawyer?
    yes its pretty obvious! A songwriter or composer – but I am very happy with my career as it stands and have never had to choose
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19. How do you want to be remembered?
    As a lawyer who cared about the cases I was involved in and always gave 100%. A Musicians who wrote a few decent songs!
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20. What do you do when you’re not working (assuming there is such a time…)?
    Writing songs, composing for Film and TV, playing live. I also like to keep up to date with legal developments, caselaw etc.
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21. What advice can you pass along to lawyers currently under- or unemployed due to the economic crisis?
    Stick with it as there is always the need for solicitors and lawyers in out litigious culture these days.We are a vital trade
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22. And our final question for you: What advice do you have for people going to law school today?
    That getting any experience you can is vital to securing a training contract, be proactive and believe in your abilities

Two good pieces of advice. Thank you for tweeting with me today; enjoyed learning about you and your practice

thanks for the interview, really enjoyed it.

test Filed under Twitterviews | Tags: Criminal Defense, United Kingdom | Comments Off on @andrewmmorris