Lawyers looking for a new way to impress their embittered and cynical business clients might be well advised to take a leaf out of the hallowed book of Rosemary McSorley, head of the law firm Cornelian Community Counselors in Pompton Plains, New Jersey.

Ms McSorley, who set up the firm in 1995 at the age of 63, is a fully-paid up nun. She includes optional prayer sessions in each visit, and ends every meeting with a hug.