The law firm of Appleby, Spurling & Kempe held a career day for school children last week to show them what law is all about.

The programme, one of the organisers said, grew out of the "Take your daughter to work day'' event.

"We thought `why not make it all children, boys and girls','' AS&K's director of marketing, Roberta Montafia, said.

"It helps children see what it is we do. And at the same time, helps us as a firm to see what they think of us.'' Aged from five to 15, the children involved in the day-long programme have parents who work at the firm.

The 39 children were given a tour of the building on Cedar Avenue, Pembroke, and a description of the various jobs and careers in the firm, from secretarial services to attorneys.

And according to one student, his perception of lawyers changed after taking part in the career day.

Dane Minors, 15, who will attend CedarBridge Academy this month, said his mother worked for the firm and therefore he and his younger sister took part in the day's event.

"I learned you can be a lawyer and be honest about it,'' Dane said after interacting with some of the firm's top brass. "I thought of them as really good liars that would say anything to win a case and collect their fees. Now I see there are some honest lawyers and it's not how people think.'' After the tour, students worked with their parents or volunteers.

Ms Montafia said the message behind the career day was that international business is "about all of us''.

"This is the future of Bermuda,'' she pointed out. "We want these children to think in broader terms. We also want to show them that the clothes and shoes on their feet are a result of their parents going out, working, and showing them what it is they do.'' It was not all business, however, during the career day.

After the working part of the day was done the children were taken to Victoria Park, along with their parents, for lunch.

The were then treated to a movie, "George of the Jungle'', at the Little Theatre on Queen Street.

After the movie it was time for a discussion session.

All the children were taken to the company's board room to talk about what they learned and to watch a film on international business.

Ashleigh Davis, 14, a third-year student at Saltus whose father is an accountant at the firm, said even though she was unlikely to follow in his footsteps, she understood the reason for such a day.

"The message they we're trying to get across was stay in school so you can get a good job,'' she said. "People told us about their jobs and what they did.'' When asked if any of the jobs she saw interested her, Ashleigh said: "Law looked like something I would like to do, but not corporate that's for sure.'' At the end of the discussion period, the children took part in a mock draw in which everyone received a prize. They also received certificates of participation.

BUSINESS BUC