When we receive a press release hailing a law firm's new Web site as unique and representing a 'refusal to go against the norm', our hearts usually sink. However, Wigan firm Greenhalghs has managed to do better than most with its animal-themed site, bedecked as it is with an assortment of predators such as snakes, wolves, spiders and crocodiles. The firm claims to have been inspired by the hoary old joke about the difference between a lawyer and a snake, to which the answer, of course, is that 'one is a nasty, slimy creature and the other is a reptile'.


In a quirky 'alternative bio' section, Ian Greenhalgh, who is represented by an eagle, reveals that his favourite cheese is Dolcelatte, his favourite bit of a mixed grill is the gammon, and that his highest score in Scrabble was the word 'Vanquish' (netting him a total of 129 points). His colleague Richard 'Grizzly Bear' Kerr, who is more of a 'Le vache qui rit' man on the cheese front, meanwhile tells us that his quickest pint was downed in 4.3 seconds and his proudest moment was 'beating my previous record by one second'. Warming to his theme, his favourite quote comes from Homer Simpson: 'Here's to alcohol: the cause of - and solution to - all of life's problems'. His pet hate is people who ask: 'How do lawyers sleep at night?' One other thing to note is its frequently asked questions section. 'Can I have a quote for conveyancing?' is one such question, to which the answer is: '"You can't escape the responsibility tomorrow by evading it today"... Abraham Lincoln. We don't do conveyancing. We hope you enjoy the quote.'



Although we are not sure that the likes of Peter Kay and Johnny Vegas need worry too much about the competition yet, at least the firm has given it a go.