Our competition to find the youngest person to have set up their own law firm - kicked off last week with a profile of Edward Foster of Fosters Solicitors in Herne Bay, Kent, which he launched at the age of 29 years and 304 days - has already borne fruit.


Andrew Jones, a partner at Hek Jones in Cardiff, writes in to say that he and his two co-founding partners were all under 30 when they launched the practice. Mr Jones was 29 years and 121 days old, Darren Hek was 29 years and 69 days old, 'and the "old man" of the firm - Paul Jones - was 29 years and 340 days'. The firm now has two offices and nine staff.



Meanwhile, Allis Karim of Smart Law Solicitors in Cambridge says he can 'do better than Mr Foster, much better'. He reports: 'I started my practice on 1 September 2004 at the age of 39 years and two months, but where I beat [him] is that from my very offices in Cambridge in March 2007 I launched my own record label as well. My record label - Lola Waxx Records - is now my client.' (This was not the hardest instruction to pick up, we'd wager.) The label's first release goes out next month digitally by Simone and is called 'Starting Over'.



Most controversially, Mr Karim says he is 'very much the most soulful lawyer in the UK'. Judge for yourselves at www.lolawaxx.com, www.myspace.com/lolawaxx, and his profile www.myspace.com/karimsmartfm. 'I don't know how many other lawyers are as funky as me or have a page on myspace which has such awesome grooves. Who said solicitors are boring?'



Certainly not us at Obiter Towers. If you can do better, email: gazette-editorial@lawsociety.org.uk.