One of the most prolific and highly-regarded of Linklaters' younger generation of M&A lawyers, Charlie Jacobs became a partner in 1999

Why did you become a lawyer?

Being guaranteed a job at the end of my second year at university as long as I still had a pulse by the time I joined was an early attraction, as was a great training, the prospect of travel, good pay, fantastic career opportunities and earning a professional qualification.

Who has been the biggest influence on your career?

John Phipson, who taught me three simple lessons – to be courteous, to put your client first, and work and play hard.

What is your proudest professional moment?

Becoming a Linklaters partner.

…and the worst day on the job?

Falling asleep during my real estate seat in articles in the deeds room for two and a half hours and then having a difficult conversation with my principal explaining where I had been.

What, over the next 12 months, will be the most significant market trend in terms of your practice area?

First, more large-scale cross-border M&A deals. Second, the London Stock Exchange continuing to attract further emerging market companies. Third, further convergence of the M&A and private equity markets as deal sizes increase and consortia bids become more common.

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

Guy Norman at Clifford Chance (notwithstanding his year-round 'tan'), Richard Hough at Allen & Overy (notwithstanding his 'silky' golf swing), Robert Stirling at Freshfields (notwithstanding the fact he was a hopeless rugby captain of mine) and Tony Grabiner QC (notwithstanding that he has better seats than me at every decent sporting event).

How do you think your assistants view you?

Demanding but loyal. Once they win my trust, they know I will back them 100% externally and internally.

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

Good 'crammers' make good M&A lawyers. You do nothing for ages and then work frenetically and very intensively on a deal. Learn to use the down-time between deals.

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

Surprisingly infrequently for someone who entered the law thinking he might only do it for a couple of years before moving on to do other things.

What most annoys you most about the profession?

Arrogance, beards, timesheets and woolly jumpers (in no particular order).

What is the best part of your job?

No two days are ever the same.

…and the worst?

Weekend drafting meetings.

Linklaters' corporate partners have a very straight-laced image – justified or out-of-date?

There was some truth in this. I am pleased to say that things have changed. Linklaters has some terrific personalities at the younger end who will go on and do great things in the years ahead.

What is the most common misconception trainees have about the firm before they arrive?

That they will spend three-quarters of their day in the library doing legal research and that every partner will be the same age as their parents.

How scary was David Cheyne to work with as a young assistant?

Very. Huge reputation. A huge intellect. Little patience. Understanding, as long as you got things right. Having said all of the above, hugely supportive and an inspirational person to learn from.

What would you do if you were not a lawyer?

I grew up in Johannesburg and have always liked the idea of running a small gold mine in the middle of nowhere.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years' time?

Still losing to Ali and our four children at golf, tennis and most other sports.

What is your favourite lawyer joke?

A lawyer opened the door of his BMW when suddenly a car came along and hit the door, ripping it off completely. When the police arrived at the scene, the lawyer was complaining bitterly about the damage to his precious BMW.

"Officer, look what they've done to my Beemer!" he whined.

"You lawyers are so materialistic, you make me sick!" retorted the officer – "you're so worried about your stupid car, that you didn't even notice that your left arm was ripped off!"

"Oh my God!", replied the lawyer, finally noticing the bloody left shoulder where his arm once was: "Where's my Rolex?!"

What's your favourite cheese?

Brie with Cape chilli.