A group of Birmingham lawyers proved they have more than just legal talent when they took to the stage to raise money for charity.
More than 30 people performed acts ranging from poetry to salsa dancing in front of a packed crowd at the Jam House in Birmingham in a bid to win Birmingham Law Society’s inaugural talent competition, BLS Has Got Talent.
Mary Kaye, president of Birmingham Law Society and partner at SGH Martineau, lead by example by opening the show with her performance of Dolly Parton’s classic hit ‘Nine to Five’ as ‘Mary and the Martinettes’.
There were also performances by Rebecca Blaymires from Wesleyan for Lawyers, who sang ‘There are worst things I could do’ from Grease; a poetry recital by Simon Lee of Anthony Collins Solicitors; salsa dancing by Pete Lowen, of Birmingham Law Centre; and choral singing by ‘The Understudies’ from Irwin Mitchell. A team of trainees from Birmingham Trainee Solicitors Society (BTSS) also performed a dance piece called ‘Stickman Mashup’.
However, it was criminal defence lawyer Laurie Neale, aka the ‘Singing Solicitor’, of England Stickland & Neale Solicitors, who stole the show with his impersonation of Canadian crooner Michael Buble.
The performance wowed the audience and the judges, who crowned Laurie the overall ‘BLS Has Got Talent’ winner.
In total, more than £3,000 was raised by the event for the Society’s nominated charities, SIFA Fireside and Birmingham Law Centre.
Mary Kaye said: “Everyone who took part in the competition really entered into the spirit of it and there were some fantastic performances. There had definitely been a few hours spent rehearsing in the weeks and days before the competition, although I’m sure they wouldn’t admit it.
“Laurie was brilliant and a deserving winner on the night, although all the acts were fantastic. Thanks to them and the money they raised through sponsorship, and all those who turned up at the Jam House to cheer on their colleagues, we raised a good sum of money for SIFA Fireside and Birmingham Law Centre. We also confirmed that Birmingham Law Society definitely does have talent.”
The event was sponsored by Wesleyan for Lawyers, St Philips Chambers and Chiltern Railways.