I don’t say much about my day job on this blog or my website – because fiction is all about forms of escapism - but of course it occupies my thoughts a lot, and explains why I don’t find time to achieve all I’d like to in the world of crime fiction and blogging!
Anyway, day after day for over a year now I’ve been closely involved in negotiations to merge my firm with a large national practice, and I'm delighted to say that the deal finally took effect on 1 May. So after 31 years with Mace & Jones, I’m now a partner in Weightmans LLP. And after all that time working in the same building, I will soon show a streak of adventurousness by moving to Weightmans’ office – which just happens to be next door to my old one....
Martin - Thanks for the update. So glad the merger was successfully completed and I wish you the best in the new firm and your new digs.
ReplyDeleteBe careful, now!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! I'm so glad it worked out for you. :) I'd say that moving next door is still a big move, if you've been in the same spot for 31 years!
ReplyDeleteI have a cousin who is a partner at Weightmans. Small world. Hope the move goes smoothly.
ReplyDeleteThanks very much! Joking apart, it is a big change for me, but one that I genuinely welcome and find really exciting.
ReplyDeleteJuxtabook, wow, what a small world indeed! Who is your cousin?
Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteAnd speaking of lawyers who write about crime, one of my blog guests just expressed her hope that you would write a sequel to "Take My Breath Away". I second her - it is my feeling there is an interesting story hidden in Nic´s past :)
Don't go getting all wild and crazy on us now, Martin.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations.
John Schorah, though strictly speaking he is my mother's cousin.
ReplyDeleteHi Martin,
ReplyDeleteGood news about the merger – Congratulations! Will you still be heading up Employment Law?
It’s amazing that with complex negotiations on the go, you’ve still been able to function creatively. I put it that way because of course it’s not just a matter of time, energy and inclination; mental freedom is essential as well.
Still, the proof is in the pudding and I’m looking forward to publication of ‘The Hanging Wood’ in July. (Still hoping for a local gig where I might acquire a signed copy!)
Long may the mental freedom continue! I shall be interested to see what you do with those ideas from Rome. Any plans for a sixth Lake District mystery? Or a new Harry Devlin – ‘Merger Means Murder’?
Best of luck at Weightmans!
Paul
Hey, Juxtabook, it really is a small world, then! I've had many meetings with John and found him great to deal with. He's now taking a well earned holiday.
ReplyDeletePaul, many thanks. I'll be working alongside the Weightmans employment head, who is like John Schorah a new colleague I'm going to enjoy collaborating with.
ReplyDeleteAnd Paul, I will be doing a talk about the Detection Club at Lymm Festival, so hope to see you then.
Martin, I’ll certainly be along to the Golden Fleece on 27th June for your talk! It’ll be great to hear about the world’s first club of its kind from its first Archivist. Were there links between the early Detection Club and other leading literary groups of the day such as The Inklings or the later Bloomsbury Set? And has the foundation date of the Detection Club been definitely established yet? I see that in ‘Bloody Murder’ (Chap 8, (i), penultimate para), Julian Symons states it was founded in 1928.
ReplyDeleteAre you still Archivist to the CWA, by the way?
Look forward to seeing you, having a chat and purchasing signed copies of ‘The Hanging Wood’ (if available) and ‘Original Sins’.
Regards, Paul