Why did you become a lawyer?
Once professional football was not an option, law seemed a good bet, especially when firms were guaranteeing jobs to students and giving money for law school. Law firms also gave very good drinks parties, which was pretty tempting as an impoverished student. I'd like to say something about the love of the law, but no one would believe me.

Who has been the biggest influence on your career?
James Davis – one of the best client relationship partners I have ever seen. He taught me to keep work in perspective, not to lose sight of your home life and enjoy what you do.

What's your proudest professional moment?
Becoming a Freshfields partner.

… and worst day on the job?
As an articled clerk in Slaughter and May's real estate group you had to do the personal conveyancing for partners. Calling a very scary senior corporate partner (now retired) to tell him I had lost the documents for his hugely expensive new house was not a good moment.

Aside from your own firm, which lawyer do you most admire and why?
I spent nearly 12 months working on the Amadeus deal with Alastair Dickson at Dickson Minto, who was very generous with his vast knowledge and experience – a great combination of the technical and commercial lawyer. Duncan McCurrach at Sullivan & Cromwell worked with us on the P&O Princess/Carnival merger – top of the game in so many ways.

What's your strongest characteristic?
I really enjoy doing the deals and stay pretty relaxed, which hopefully makes things easier for the associates.

… and worst trait?
I don't go to the gym enough.

How do you think assistants in your team view you?
Approachable, loyal and fair.

What advice would you give to young deal lawyers starting out?
Listen, watch and learn; don't be in too much of a hurry. Be polite and remember: what goes around comes around.

What's the best part of your job?
Working with great people internally and with the clients makes the job worthwhile.

What most annoys you about the legal profession?
Lawyers who don't focus on commercial issues and talk too much.

How do you see yourself: technical whizz or client man?
Definitely a client man – working with such a wide variety of clients is the best bit of the job.

What will be the most significant market trend in terms of your practice area over the next 12 months?
We will be busy on the M&A front, particularly if infrastructure funds and hedge funds continue to be active alongside the private equity players. We may also start to see more restructurings as people look at some of the hefty prices that have been paid on recent deals.

What is the most common misconception trainees have about the firm before they arrive?
That you can't have fun at work. Work hard/play hard is still very much part of the firm's culture.

Any weird hobbies?
Nothing I would admit to other than sailing. I am a bad sailor but enthusiastic.

What would you do if you weren't a lawyer?
Sail yachts in the Med.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years' time?
On a yacht with a beer.

What is your favourite lawyer joke?
Believing in predestination, a father set out three objects on the dining room table in preparation for his son's arrival home from school. The first object was a £100 note.

"That represents high finance. If he takes this, he will go into business." The second object was a Bible. "If he takes this one, he'll be a man of the cloth." The third object was a bottle of cheap whisky. "If he goes for this one, he'll be a drunkard!" The father and his wife then hid where they could see their son's approach.

Soon, the son entered the room and examined each article briefly. He then checked to make sure that he was
alone. Not seeing anyone, he stuffed the money in his pocket, put the Bible under his arm and strolled out of the room draining the whisky.

The father looked at his wife and beamed: "How about that? He's going to be a lawyer!"

What's your favourite cheese?
Kikorangi Blue (for the Kiwis in the team).