Desert Island Discs is interested in the law, all of a sudden. Just a fortnight after solicitor Harriet Wistrich shared her fave hits with presenter Lauren Laverne, 92-year-old Nemone Lethbridge, barrister, writer and all-round legend appeared.
Nemone recounted quite a life (Obiter is once again recommending the episode if you missed it). Born in 1932 and called to the bar in 1956, at her first chambers she was refused use of the lavatory by male colleagues, forcing her to use facilities at a nearby cafe. The clerks didn’t put an enormous amount of work her way, but she did represent the Kray twins for many years.
What else? She was made to leave chambers when she married convicted murderer and fellow writer Jimmy O’Connor (conviction at the very least, suspect). This prompted a move to Greece where the couple worked on projects for the BBC and hung out with Jackie Onassis. Nemone returned to the bar and a new chambers in 1981, set up a law centre, and still does pro bono work.
Her musical taste is impeccable, and her top choice is a Mozart classic. Obiter would also highlight her selection of a song by academic and satirical songwriter Tom Lehrer (author of Poisoning Pigeons in the Park). Nemone chose his ‘I wanna go back to Dixie’, which includes the lyrics: ‘The land of the boll weevil, Where the laws are medieval, Is callin’ me to come and nevermore roam.’
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