Hello, my name is Steve Boggan and I am conducting research for an article in The Times about continuing unemployment problems in the legal profession. According to the Office for National Statistics, there were 1,175 lawyers claiming benefits at June 2010. That's a slight improvement on the previous month but still about 300 per cent higher than two years ago.

I have been speaking to solicitors who have told me about working as temps or in factories as part of admirable attempts to make ends meet. Nevertheless, this seems like a huge waste of talent.

I am trying to find more individuals to interview who would feel comfortable telling me about their long-term efforts to find work, and the kind of jobs they have been doing in the meantime to keep afloat. Might serve as a good platform to advertise your talents.

Also, if something could be done to improve the situation, what might that be? If you feel you could help or would like to comment, please write to me or send your phone number to this email address: [email protected]

Thank you for your time, Steve Boggan