Far be it for Obiter to dish out PR advice to law firms, but anything linking lawyers to members of the animal kingdom should be approached with due caution. Black Country firm Higgs & Sons was understandably proud of its role advising on the acquisition of a local nature reserve, Proteus, and dutifully sent out a press release. But the reserve is not just any old reserve - it is one of the UK's leading reptile sanctuaries. More downmarket operations than Obiter - yes, they do exist - would enjoy pointing out that with more than 400 crocodiles, lizards, tortoises, turtles and pythons, Proteus would fit comfortably within the top 30 UK firms by size. Indeed, those who do not adopt the moral high ground as we do would undoubtedly also relish the chance to dig up a few hoary old lawyer jokes. Such as this one: 'Someone mistakenly left the cages open in the reptile house at the zoo and there were snakes slithering all over the place. Frantically, the keeper tried everything, but he couldn't get the slippery animals back into their cages. Finally, he yelled, "Quick, call a lawyer!" "A lawyer? Why?" "We need someone who speaks their language."'