A former Freshfields partner and current regular for Goldman Sachs, Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy's Tim Emmerson is one of the most senior City lawyers to join a US law firm

Why did you become a lawyer?

I imagined I'd like to draft wills for the landed aristocracy in Cheltenham and go home at 5pm every day.

Who has been the biggest influence on your career?

Four stand out. David Burnand of Norton Rose who, amazingly, is still working and still producing the most elegant drafting in the City. Charles ap Simon, who was the most dignified and courteous lawyer I ever worked with. Philip Richards, who taught me that it's possible – just – to be both flamboyant and thoughtful. Nick Bohm of Norton Rose who, when I was an articled clerk, explained that people who are willing to say "I don't know" are often those with the greatest ability.

What is your proudest professional moment?

Probably being engaged, as a very new partner at Freshfields, to advise SG War-burg on the privatisation of Railtrack.

… and worst day on the job?

The day Stephen Byers announced that he was effectively re-nationalising Rail-track. I spent some hours re-reading the prospectus instead of doing useful work.

Aside from those at your own firm, which lawyer do you most admire and why?

Quite a few. For his committed and brilliant advocacy in defence (only defence) of people whose human rights have been abused, my brother Ben Emmerson QC. Tim Clark and Chris Saul both combine shrewdness, ability and genuine niceness in a way we'd all like to achieve. For outstanding all round advisory ability, Scott Simpson of Skadden Arps and Nigel Boardman. For sheer cleverness, Ed Braham. For showing that you can build a high quality M&A practice without the infrastructure of a magic circle firm, Michael Hatchard of Skadden Arps. For being obsessed with getting it right, Simon Witty. For being a complete Renaissance Man and a superb (and wicked) mimic, Julian Pritchard. Last but not least, Simon Marchant – who can leap tall buildings in a single bound.

How do you think your assistants view you?

I think they wonder why I don't go home and leave it to them.

What is the best part of your job?

Solving problems for clever clients who value what you've done for them (and preferably have a sense of humour).

…and the worst?

Billing.

What most annoys you about the legal profession?

Its essentially ancillary function.

How often do you wonder if you are in the wrong line of work?

I gave up wondering some years ago, when the fact became inescapable.

What advice would you give to young deal lawyers starting out?

Three things:

. Find a niche. The world has become too complex and there is now too much law for it to be possible to be both outstanding and a generalist.

. Give yourself time to mature. You can be unnecessarily discouraged by trying to be the finished article on day one.

. Stay interested in the law. No one is paying you to pretend to be a banker – quite the contrary actually. Forget this and you risk ending up as a rather silly legal fixer.

What is your biggest extravagance?

I haven't any. I do seem to buy vast quantities of football cards for my five-year-old son Tom, but they only cost £35 for a box of 100.

What would you do if you were not a lawyer?

Get up late, go to art galleries in the mornings and drink frequently at lunchtime.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years' time?

In a garden in Normandy. Weekends in Paris. Winters in Courchevel. Autumns in Vermont and New York. Driving a vintage Bentley across Italy. Little of this will actually happen.

What is your favourite cheese?

Stinking Bishop – it reminds me of a prelate who once taught me Latin.