Lawyers do surf

I just stumbled across this review of a book called "Why lawyers should surf". When I say stumbled across, I was actually googling "Lawyers don't surf" to see if my blog showed up. Turns out it doesn't (at least not in the top million or so hits returned by the search), so if you are reading this, and you're not me or one of the handful of people I gave the url to, then it's a bloody miracle...

Anyway, I hadn't heard of this book before, and clearly I haven't read it, but looking at the review the premise seems to be that surfing is good for the body and the mind. I fail to see how this applies specifically to benefit lawyers as opposed to anyone else, and I'm fairly sure that the suggestion that surfing is generally good for you is about as controversial as the Pope's catholicism. However, I think I need to read the book before I start making judgments about its merit.

The point is (for the purposes of this post, anyway), lawyers do surf, but I always knew that. But I love the fact that the popular view of the lawyer is almost diametrically opposed to the popular view of the surfer, such that the discovery of a surfing lawyer is actually noteworthy. So I have learned (from that Google search) about James W. Garrison, Esq., a real life person (believe it or not) who "leads a dual existence of surfer and lawyer, defying the nature vs. reason dichotomy. This Deputy District Attorney for Los Angeles upholds our justice system by day, specializing in sex crimes and hardcore gangs; evening and weekends—he shreds waves." (So he's basically Sandy from the OC - although I doubt his wife is as hot as Sandy's).

There are a few things I love about that little quote, aside from the arcane and completely unnecessary use of "Esq.", which would only happen in America. The words "dual existence" really sum up the point I make above. It's almost too ridiculous that this guy could be both a lawyer and a surfer. The only way it could be possible is by his leading a subversive double life (a bit like Jonny Utah?). He's Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, or a perverted Tory MP. Actually he's like the reverse of Bruce Wayne, who is the respectable philanthropist by day but has to wait til night time to sneak out in a rubber suit (nice parallel) to uphold justice, vigilante-style.


Let's not even dwell on the "nature vs reason dichotomy" comment - I'm still laughing about that (mainly because I have no idea what it means).

Having said all that, lawyers do sometimes get flattering treatment in popular culture. I'm thinking of Judge John Deed - the porsche-driving, barrister-shagging, sex symbol who also happens to be a High Court Judge. I bet he surfs, too.