A full-time voice for disabled solicitors

David Merkel, new chairman of the Law Society's Group for Solicitors with Disabilities (GSD), is already planning for 2003 - the European year of the disabled.

Mr Merkel is no Euro-sceptic.

He has already written to European Commission President Romano Prodi, outlining the group's various activities and extending an offer of help.

'People think that Brussels is teeming with civil servants but it isn't.

It has a very small complement of staff,' says Mr Merkel - and it is not clear if he is joking.

But one thing is for sure: Mr Merkel has a good feeling about taking his fight for disabled solicitors to Europe.

'They would not have announced it two-and-a-half years in advance if it wasn't a major initiative,' he reasons.

Mr Merkel is the GSD's first full-time chairman.

His mission is to fight for equal access and raise awareness of disability in the profession.

The GSD has a wide remit, covering severely disabled lawyers through to those with slight hearing problems and dyslexia.

Mr Merkel's own disability followed a spell of tuberculosis and meningitis contracted at primary school, leaving him partially sighted and paralysed, although now it is difficult to tell he is disabled.

But he says being a 'small, partially sighted Jewish boy' resulted in him being 'badly bullied' at school.

He recalls: 'Disability awareness was not as high on the agenda in the 1960s as it is now.'

After completing an economic history degree, Mr Merkel joined the civil service before going to the College of Law.

'Even in those early days [the College of Law was] on the ball,' he says.

Until last year, when he was forced into early retirement, he worked for Kensington council in London.

He is now a freelance consultant lecturer on enforcement law and environmental health and has been active in the GSD for ten years.

Mr Merkel says that while some law firms are extremely supportive of disabled staff, the attitude of others is disappointing.

'I accept it is going to cost, but there are grants and public money available.

It's a minor adjustment and then it's plain sailing and the value in returns that they could get.'

He admits law is not an easy career.

But his advice to young solicitors is that 'if you want a fulfilling career, I still think law is one of the best, and young solicitors should not be put off'.

And he contends the old clichs are true - don't be afraid to ask for help and don't let the bastards get you down.

Anne Mizzi