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Len Murray (The Glasgow Lawyer)

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Len Murray was born in Glasgow a long time ago, he says, certainly long before Traffic Wardens were ever invented.

After studying Modern Languages, History and Law at Glasgow University he qualified as a solicitor. He remained in practice in Glasgow until 2003 when he retired. He says he had not a bad career. He was once described by a High Court Judge as ''the most respected of his generation.'' He was the first ever media spokesman for the Law Society of Scotland he tutored at Glasgow and Strathclyde Universities he lectured at Tulliallan Police College for 16 years he served on the Central Committee of the Law Society of Scotland for some eight years and was the Committee's Vice Chairman for two. He also had spells as a Temporary Sheriff and as a part time Chairman of Employment Tribunals. He is now an ambassador for Glasgow Caledonian University

He was legal adviser News and Current Affairs for Scottish Television and the Independent Television Network in Scotland before he retired.

Throughout his career he was associated with headline cases for household names and people like Paul McCartney, Billy Connolly, Rod Stewart, David Sole of Starsky and Hutch fame, Tommy Docherty, Jock Wallace and the legendary Jock Stein were among his clients.

He is now equally known as one of the country's top after-dinner speakers and has spoken on four continents, from Edmonton and Calgary in the West to Singapore in the East and he was in Kenya in January 2010 as guest of the Caledonian Society of that country at their Burns Supper. He is also a former winner of the prestigious Wag of the Year award.

His autobiography, called The Pleader, was published a few years ago to very good reviews, most of which, some suspect, he wrote himself.

Len is also regarded as one of the country's top speakers on Robert Burns and his Immortal Memory has been described as ''legendary''. He has spoken at over 300 Burns Suppers in many parts of the world. He is a member of the Burns Federation and is Honorary President of Greenock Burns Club, the oldest Burns Club in the world.

In January 2009 the Scottish Parliament held its first ever Burns Supper with various dignitaries from all over the World attending. Len was invited by the Presiding Officer to propose the Immortal Memory at that historic event.

In sporting matters he played football for Glasgow University and as a schoolboy once represented Scotland at tennis though he was never asked back! He confines himself now to the golf course and the bowling rinks where he has been outstandingly unsuccessful.

SOME RECENT PLAUDITS
1. After-Dinners

''You turned a very dull 'after dinner' into an absolute hoot. Someone on our table had heard you speak somewhere before and promised us you were worth the wait and he was absolutely right - there was barely a dry eye and a side that wasn't splitting. Would definitely recommend you and hope I am lucky enough to be in one of your audiences in the future''.
Tracy Cross, Solicitor, Warwickshire Law Society.

''You were absolutely brilliant, very very funny and they thoroughly enjoyed your speech and company. Apparently the Chief Minister kept wiping his eyes with his napkin he found you so funny and he stayed until 11.45pm which is rare as he usually dashes of at 11pm but the event was so good, he stayed on. What can I say but a big thank you and look forward to working with you again soon''.
Ian Walker, London.

''Just a note to thank you for suggesting Len Murray for our event yesterday. He was wonderful- a lovely man and an excellent presentation - which was very well received by entire audience''.
Corrinne Weatherup, Event-Ful Consultancy, Belfast

''It is always such a pleasure to hear you speak, I never tire from listening to you.''
Lesley Fraser-Taylor, Charity Manager, Radio Forth.

''I should like to thank you very much for providing us with a superb speech at this year's Association Dinner.''
Dominic Wheatley, Chairman, Guernsey International Insurance Association, Guernsey.

''The Society were extremely grateful that you were able to fit us in after the extravagance of the do you were at the previous evening!''
Heather E Driscoll, Secretary, the Society of Scottish Lawyers in London.

''No disrespect to X or Y (previous speakers) but Len was perfect and just added that special 'something' to the night.''
Graeme Waddell, Business Director, Rolls Royce Ltd.

''Lots of great feedback for you this morning - everyone seems to have thoroughly enjoyed your view on life - and thank you so much for such an entertaining half an hour!''
Alan Higgins, Secretary, The Energy Institute, Aberdeen.

2. Burns Events

''I'm delighted that he is here. He has got wit and style and stature and it has been a delight, Len, to have had you in this position this evening.''
Scotland's First Minister Jack McConnell on West Sound Radio.

''I am writing to pass on my personal thanks for your splendid delivery of the Immortal Memory during the Scottish Parliament's Burns Supper.. It was always my intention to use the Parliament's Burns Supper to showcase the best of Scottish talent to both national and international guests and your knowledge of Burns and Scottish history certainly helped to achieve this. Once again many thanks for making the Parliament's Burns Supper such a successful and memorable night.''
Alex. Fergusson. MSP, Presiding Officer, The Scottish Parliament.

''I have attended many Burns Suppers where Len Murray has been a speaker but never before when he has chaired the event. I thought he was outstanding in this role and the authority of his style of chairmanship coupled with his encyclopaedic knowledge of the works of Burns held everyones attention throughout the evening. It was a masterly performance and he brilliantly linked the speakers, musicians, singers and performers with an effortless continuity.''
Sir William Rae, Chief Constable Strathclyde Police.

''I am writing to thank you for your fantastic contribution to my Burns Supper. Your Immortal Memory was a masterpiece intelligent and articulate with many fascinating and stimulating insights into the life of Burns. I know that everyone enjoyed your contribution immensely.''
The Rt Hon the Lord Provost of Glasgow.

''I have received so many favourable comments from those who attended, such as 'best ever!' and 'spell-binding speaker' and 'great evening', that I am quite confident that the evening was a great success and that you are a major reason for that. To have the rapt attention of 800 men after they've enjoyed a four course dinner with wine and free bottles of Glenmorangie is no mean feat. But you accomplished it just as though it were an every day occurrence.''
Jim Hope-Ross, First Vice President, Calgary Burns Club, Alberta, Canada.

''And what a night it was brilliant, unbelievable, best I've ever been at I could listen to him all night. Just a few of the positive comments we heard........Len had the audience eating out of his hand - an unforgettable speech.''
Andrew Cooper, Mauchline Burns Club.

''I have attended Burns Suppers for 40 years now and have listened to many good speakers. I must admit you are at the top of the tree, the best I have heard in all of this time. With your depth of voice, delivery skills and timing, you could have held the audience in the palm of your hand even if you were only reading out the telephone directory. Many thanks Len, it was a pleasure to meet you and a joy to listen too.''
Andrew Welsh, Bathgate Golf Club

''I should be thanking you for your outstanding performance and wonderful Immortal Memory. It was genuinely, the most memorable, engaging Immortal Memory I have ever heard.''
Raymond O'Hare, Director, Microsoft Scotland.

''Your Immortal Memory was the best that I have ever heard.''
Alan McGuiggan,General Manager Prestonfield House Hotel, Edinburgh.

''I really can't thank you enough for your presence and presentation yesterday. What a response I received from the members! A major major success!''
Bill Rodger, President, East Kilbride Probus Club.

''This evening went extremely well and Len was superb and was very well received. I would have no hesitation in recommending him to other prospective Institutes.''
Derek Millar, Insurance Institute of Guernsey.

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Video of Len Murray (The Glasgow Lawyer)

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Find out how to book Len Murray (The Glasgow Lawyer) as the after dinner speaker for your next event by calling Speak Out on 0131 654 1000 or clicking here.

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