Banff has been a staple for, I think the last nine years now. Banff Springs Hotel is the venue (though the sandwiches are dire, Frances) and I have got to know the locals really well. It’s one of my favourite days of the year. Why?

Because they are refreshing. Professional. Collegiate. The way the profession used to be. They actually like and help each other. They love being in a community and serving it. Getting close to clients-generations of clients. Providing a service locally and making a reasonable living so doing. Not obsessed by money. Not fixated on bling, awards and spending money they have not earned. They believe in the profession.

Wow, a lot of our big firms are thinking. What a bunch of losers. Hicks from the sticks. Bumpkins. Second rate solicitors. Not Masters of the Universe at all. And thus, we shall treat them.

And they do. And that is what annoys solicitors outside the cities most. Surprisingly, they do not like being patronised. Talked down to. Made to feel small.

And why a lot of our big firms allow that I really don’t know. It never used to be like that. I have a theory that it all started in the mid ’90s and was facilitated by the fax machine. And aping the banks-who really wrote the manual on treating people like crap.

It is rude, unwarranted and unprofessional. It is based on arrogance and dangerous. And it is hurting the profession.

Not all our big firms are like that. But most are. And they are training the vast majority of the next generation of solicitors. And bringing them up in a cultural belief that to go and be a local solicitor is failure. A real step down. And it is starting to hurt recruitment outwith the cities.

And you know what? It’s exactly the same in medicine where rural recruitment is beyond critical. And they have analysed it, and you know what is a factor? Teaching hospitals giving out that GPs aren’t real doctors. The real deal is in the cities. The hospitals. That’s paying out well if you are ill outwith Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen. Are you aware of how many GP surgeries are now run directly by the NHS?

There are so many great opportunities for young solicitors outwith the cities. The country really does need you. For a balanced, profitable professional career. Don’t fall for the stereotypes.

Banff does spring eternal. Being offensive and patronising deserve Zero Tolerence. E-mail me if you have suffered.

drm@douglasmillconsulting.co.uk