Law Dinners

[Nhozu]

Not strictly about law but:

I am trying to plan out the timing for a formal law dinner. What I wanted to know is your ideas for timings.

In theory evening runs from 19.00-23.00, and has 2 guest speakers.

Would it be best to have them both speak before the meals, or have one after starters and other after the main....

[jen78]

Yeah, not good to interrupt the meal, or the speakers while food is being cleared away and people are dashing off for loo breaks, cigs etc...

How long are the guest speeches?

Maybe one with an apperatif of champagne or similar before dinner then the other either after dessert with coffee.

[fredpuli47]

Have them at the end , when everyone is well fed and ...er....'mellow' from the drink.The speakers will get a better audience, better than one that hasn't eaten yet or is having its meal interrupted.

Moreover (hey, there's a lawyer's word !) the second speaker can lead on from the first, picking up a theme or reference,which may help them in their speech.The first might even remember not to go on too long, when there's a second speaker waiting!

[jen78]

What kind of thing are they speaking on and what kind of audience (I know they are going to be lawyers but we come in many different guises haha)?

Timing will be tight if you're having a full three course with coffee after. Having seen the times, the last thing you want is to have the last speech rushed (maybe have a word with the speakers about the timing).

A leisurely coffee is always good after dinner as well to have time to chat to others.

I always find people who often work late hours often turn up late as well so give a gap at the beginning for tea and coffee and introductions for a scheduled start say quarter of an hour after you advertise it (then you're hopefully at least one step ahead).

If you serve tea and coffee at the tables then you have them sat and ready to listen for the first speech at, say 8pm.

Give 30mins then start serving starter. 5 to serve, 20 mins to eat, 5 for clear up, 30 mins for main, 5 to clear, 20 mins for dessert. = circa 2 hours = 10pm.

Then coffee is served for the final 30 min speech giving about 30 mins for people to wander and chat then leave.

[Nhozu]

Thanks for the help. Is a Student Society Law Dinner.

Got a call to meet the Head of the School about this. Tried to get representation from academics, barristers, and solicitors to talk about their experiences. Dont see why its a problem personally, approx. 20 min each means 3hrs to eat and mingle. I suspect it is going to be one of those meetings were I dont have any opinion but to change...pity, thats cos thats what the members wanted.

This dinner is doing my nut in...

[jen78]

Ahh a student thing, puts a slightly different slant on it as I was thinking more of a practice related thing.

Hope you get some decent people there to speak, have you managed to find people?

What did the members want?

[Nhozu]

Well we have got a barrister from Goldmsith Chambers, London, and a Partner from Dechert. So pretty good haul considering we are about an hours drive from Central London.

Members complained that last year they didnt have any representation from the professional field, and want one from each. But since the Professionals confirmed really late, and thought that at least one was not going to come, I got the Head of the School as a 'back up'. Although I never said that on the invitation!

Kinda tough situation now, especially as she is my the reference on the summer schemes I sent off...