My workplace is undergoing some changes. Post the AIG bailout brouhaha, AIG is no longer a marketable brand. It has become a dirty word since it escaped the misfortune of Lehman by the skin of its very large teeth. So about 4 months ago the company rebranded to AIA, pulling out its roots as a showpiece of tradition and more importantly, strength and growth potential.

As part of the gargantuan divorce, we had to vacate our current premises which are owned by the general insurance company, American Home Assurance, curiously renamed Chartis. You can actually see Chartis advertising screens on Old Trafford now, instead of AIG. AIG of course still appears on the shirts but not for long. Aon takes over after this season.

So we had to move out. We were meant to move out this Friday but a few weeks ago we were asked to vacate our offices early so 2 Fridays ago we moved to our current office temporarily, with a permanent move scheduled for this Friday. So here I am sitting on Level 4 of 553 St Kilda Road. I actually started work with this company on Level 5. We – the Legal department – were at Level 5 for about 9 months. We moved next door to 549 St Kilda Road, about 2 years ago. We pack up and leave Level 4 on Friday, to go down to Level 1. Just a tad closer to the café on the Ground Floor.

At least this time Legal will have its own area, partitioned from the “peasant crowds”. Haha. No seriously, it is great that there will now be better confidentiality and privacy so that most of the work done can retain its lawyer-client privilege status.