Time is lawyers' enemy in the quest for romanceSex and the City: Solicitors are attractive, but busyAs the climax of the romantic year approached this week, lawyers were exposed as one of the most attractive professions for single people looking for love.A survey by introduction agency Drawing Down the Moon ranked lawyers seventh on a list of professions attracting the greatest response from the opposite sex - below bankers, management consultants and journalists.

Men are slightly keener on dating lawyers than are women.Drawing Down the Moon owner Mary Balfour said: 'It's not surprising lawyers are seen as a very sexy profession.

For men, it's the Ally McBeal phenomenon, and for women it's the traditionally powerful courtroom presence that is attractive.'But lawyers are among the professionals most likely to need an agency, as they cannot find time to meet people.

Ms Balfour, who runs two agencies, said lawyers make up 'a large part' of her clientele.Kate Corbett, a director of Club Sirius, an introduction agency for professionals, agreed many lawyers are looking for love.

'Thirteen per cent of our members are lawyers,' she said.

'Many firms have an unwritten rule discouraging relationships in the workplace, so this eliminates a traditional method of finding a partner.' She added: 'Female lawyers are often reluctant to enter into workplace relationships for fear of being accused of career advancement.

This combined with the long-hours culture in the City, and lawyers' wealth - meaning they often live alone rather than flatshare - results in a real feeling of isolation for many.'Victoria MacCallum