Pie in the sky

Sometimes, this column writes itself.

Exhibit one is a press release received just before Christmas from US firm Chadbourne & Parke: 'Along with the traditional monetary gifts and holiday celebrations, Chadbourne & Parke is giving out approximately 1,000 classic apple pies this year, an apple pie to each of the firm's employees around the world, lawyers and non-lawyers alike - even those in its Moscow office.' This instigates many questions, such as why Moscow-based personnel should be so grateful, but more than anything, why bother press releasing this nonsense? The explanation possibly comes further down: 'Although small and large businesses have distributed traditional holiday treats, it is unusual for a law firm.' We don't know how much research went into that claim, but no letters please if you are very generous with the mince pies.

For those who are still interested, the pies are baked in downtown New York, but there is no word as to how fresh they are by the time they reach London or Moscow.

At least the firm makes a matching contribution to a local charity called Food for Survival, so it's not all pointless.