Public hails To Kill a Mockingbird’s Atticus Finch as favourite fictional lawyer

The character of Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird was named as the public’s favourite fictional lawyer, according to an online YouGov survey commissioned by QualitySolicitors, the UK’s fastest growing legal brand.

The character of Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird was named as the public’s favourite fictional lawyer, according to an online YouGov survey commissioned by QualitySolicitors, the UK’s fastest growing legal brand.

The same survey showed that almost half (47%) of the British public get most of their legal knowledge from watching TV programmes and films, and reading magazines, newspapers, and the Internet.

Atticus Finch, a town lawyer who defends an innocent black man accused of raping a white girl in Alabama, was played by Gregory Peck in the 1962 film adaptation of Harper Lee’s novel. Jack McCoy, a character in Law and Order was voted the

In a poll of 400 solicitors, Atticus Finch, Ally McBeal and Daniel Kaffee (Tom Cruise’s character in A Few Good Men, 1992) all equally topped the favourite fictional lawyer chart with 13% of the vote each. When voting on the most realistic movie or TV programme, Kavanagh QC starring John Thaw won the most votes (18%) from solicitors, closely followed by Law and order and Silk which came equal second (15% each).

Film, TV (16%) and the Internet (16%) were cited as the top sources of legal information, closely followed by magazines and newspapers (15%). Books ranked last on the survey as a source for legal knowledge with just 8%.

Chief Executive of QualitySolicitors Craig Holt says: “There are some brilliant law-based films and TV programmes available and the public choice of the courageous Atticus Finch is well deserved. Still, the fact that popular culture is informing half the population’s legal knowledge is something I want to change. We want to make going to your local solicitor as simple and straightforward as going to the supermarket, and tackle people’s apprehensions about seeking legal advice, which can seem a daunting and stuffy process. QualitySolicitors’ mission is to provide consumer-friendly legal services through expert, leading local law firms - not unqualified staff in remote call centres.”

- Ends -

Notes to Editors:

The statistics in this press release have been taken from research conducted by QualitySolicitors using SurveyShack, an online polling programme. Total sample size was 414 solicitors from QualitySolicitors branches. Fieldwork was undertaken between 18th - 23rd April 2012. The survey was carried out online.

About QualitySolicitors:

• Launched in 2010, QualitySolicitors is a group of law firms across the country working as part of the QualitySolicitors brand. Only one firm per local area is selected to become a QualitySolicitors partner. Customer feedback forms an integral part of the selection process.
• QualitySolicitors’ national network of lawyers consists of over 100 branches across England and Wales.
• QualitySolicitors lawyers are experts in their fields dealing with both consumer and SME legal matters. QualitySolicitors offers a personal, local service but with the assurance of a recognised national brand.
• QualitySolicitors’ website address is www.qualitysolicitors.com
• In 2011 QualitySolicitors secured equity investment from Palamon Capital Partners, a private equity house with a £700m fund.