How I Mixed Law And Magic

A recent personal injury case in the US went viral when the plaintiff’s lawyer begged the judge to forbid his opponent from performing magic tricks or even mentioning that he was a magician in his closing to the jury. In response, the opponent asked the judge to use his own sleight of hand to make the plaintiff’s motion disappear! This begs the question of whether the art of prestidigitation can help one’s career in the law.

Magic can break down barriers and allow a lawyer’s social side to be seen.

Since the age of eight, I have been producing (puppet) rabbits out of hats, making cards appear from thin air, and generally dazzling friends, family, teachers and clients with close-up and stage magic. In 2003, I was unanimously elected as a member of The Magic Circle. Jerry Sadowitz, the Scottish standup comedian and magician, taught me card magic for several years, and I have made a number of wizarding friends. Very recently, I bumped into Dynamo.

I attend Monday evening performances by fellow magicians (Debbie McGee spoke recently), and swap new magic ideas at The Magic Circle’s secret Euston headquarters. The most famous member of The Magic Circle is undoubtedly HRH Prince Charles – he performed the classic ‘Cups and Balls’ effect and was elected immediately into membership. To this day, The Magic Circle Museum displays the actual cups he used.

My lifetime love of magic went as far as proposing to my now wife (and magician’s assistant), Naomi, inside The Magic Circle Theatre. Naomi picked a card (of course she shuffled them first) and I asked her to read out what was written on it. She read: “Will you marry me?”… I replied: “Yes!”

How has magic helped my career? For one, having a non-legal connection with a client is an advantage. Some clients want to get to know their professional advisers and interact with them on a social level. What better way than over a vanishing deck of cards at the bar.

Only recently, I wowed a couple of colleagues with a mini magic show during lunchtime. When applying for training contracts, I was frequently asked to perform magic. One of the illusions obviously did the trick as I was offered the job the next day and they mentioned how much fun the interview had been.

The overriding skillset that both a magician and lawyer needs consists of patience, confidence and an ability to convince your opponents/audience of your supernatural powers that can bring the matter/illusion to a successful conclusion. Having an inner belief in yourself is key!

Having frequented The Magic Circle for nearly 15 years, I haven’t yet met a lawyer magician – although, being as there are 1,450 members, they probably do exist. I am sure however that a number of lawyers have a keen interest in magic and if they wish to apply to The Magic Circle, they should give me a call.

Pursuing an interest outside a long working day may seem quixotic, but my advice is to not give up on it. It’s your enjoyment, a stress reliever, another topic that you can talk about – and it allows you to belong to another circle of friends outside the office.

You need to make time for your hobbies and take your mind off work so that you have a fresh perspective on matters. For me, Monday nights are Magic Circle nights, where top-level magicians give lectures or perform their latest magic routines to a crowd of magic-hungry prestidigitators, and unpack the secrets of their routines.

Marc Sosnow is a partner in the corporate department at Fladgate and a magician in the exclusive Magic Circle.