LAWYER IN THE NEWS

Who? John Hatrick, 29-year-old assistant solicitor in the London office of Sussex firm Balogun Kirvan.Why is he in the news? Represented German-born bus driver Klaus Burger, who was nicknamed 'Herman the German' by his colleagues, in a failed racial discrimination and constructive dismissal claim against Mr Burger's former employers, First Group Orpington Buses.

Mr Burger resigned from his job after 22 months in August 1999 and complained of taunts such as 'Sieg Heil', 'Heil, mein Fhrer' and 'German bastard', gestures such as goose-stepping, heel-clicking and Nazi salutes, and comments about gas chambers.

His colleagues were even said to have referred to his bus as a 'Panzer tank'.

The employment tribunal in Ashford, Kent, dismissed the claim, saying the taunts were 'good-natured banter'.

Mr Burger is likely to appeal.Background: Graduated from Wolverhampton University with a LLB in 1996.

Completed the Legal Practice Course at Bournemouth University, then trained at Balogun Kirvan's office in Chancery Lane.

Qualified in 1999 and remained at the firm to specialise in employment and litigation and manage the firm's London agency department.Route to the case: 'Mr Burger instructed me following a referral from a local Citizens Advice Bureau to our free advice service.'Thoughts on the case: 'This case has made me aware that discrimination seems to be more tolerated against German nationals than perhaps against other groups.

The tribunal highlighted the fine line between racial abuse and good-humoured banter.

Although jokes about Germany losing to England at football may be banter, a shout of "Sieg Heil" must surely fall into a different category.'Dealing with the media: 'I am surprised at the level of media attention, having been contacted by several national newspapers and the producers of a well-known television news programme.

The newspapers seem to have an unerring ability to misquote me and to get my name wrong, which is most embarrassing as a copy inevitably ends up on the office wall.'

Anne Mizzi