A compromising position

Xavier, who is the senior competition counsel with a major industrial group, is a friend of mine. As such, we often share our thoughts and insights, as well as the occasional professional gossip. He recently told me a story about what happened to him while visiting his law firm's glitzy downtown offices.

This a story that all fee earners should dread, the proverbial faux pas that would trigger herds of in-house lawyers to merciless laughter and an incident that could destroy many a hard earned reputation.

Waiting in the reception area of the firm, behind a curtain of freshly-cut flowers, Gian-Natale waves at Xavier. Gian-Natale is counsel for Xavier's company's most hated and dangerous competitor. Previous encounters with Gian-Natale have been amiable enough, usually taking place at one of the many corporate counsel gatherings where pleasantries are exchanged in neutral territory (i.e. an anonymous city hotel offering plenty of drinks and canapes).