The Diary does not for one moment doubt the genuine affection head honchos of huge international firms hold for their partners across the globe.

However, we were particularly touched recently when the chairman of US giant White & Case, Duane Wall, contacted Legal Week to ask us to revise a statement he had issued on the departure of Italian partner Alessandro Varrenti.

The reason? Why, in his original missive Wall had referred to Varrenti as 'Alessandro'.

So Wall's New York communique was duly revised to reflect the "warmth and regard" he held for the man.

So, you see, law firm leaders really do care – even when their partners piss off to set up a new firm.