Competition specialist Stephen Kon is one of SJ Berwin's leading lawyers

Why did you become a lawyer?

My father was a lawyer who encouraged me to go into law, although I always wanted to study French at university. In the event, I chose Law and European Studies and found European Union (EU) law a particularly interesting and challenging emerging area in which I could continue to develop my language skills.

Who has been the biggest influence on your career?

Stanley Berwin had a massive influence in teaching me how to apply the law in a commercial and client-friendly manner and how to build a practice.

What's your proudest professional moment?

Winning my first case in the European Court of Justice (ECJ); the Allen & Hanburys case back in the mid-1980s. It was a reference to the ECJ by the House of Lords, having lost the case before both the High Court and the Court of Appeal. We won on a relatively simple point of EC law before the ECJ.

… and worst day on the job?

The Monopolies and Mergers Commission finding that the Ladbroke/Coral merger operated against the public interest – the only merger prohibition decision in my career to date.

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

Sir Jeremy Lever has always been an inspiration as an outstanding intellect and is the best possible example of how to be a first-rate EU/competition lawyer.

What's your strongest characteristic … and worst trait?

I guess determination is my strongest trait. I am always determined to find solutions to obtain the best possible result for the client. I have lots of bad traits – impatience is most probably the worst: not only do I want results, but I want them quickly.

How do you think assistants in your team view you?

I haven't dared ask! I would hope they see me as leading from the front, albeit I suspect they find me, on occasions, pretty demanding and difficult in the process.

What's the best part of your job?

The people I work with and the stimulating nature of my practice area.

What most annoys you about the legal profession?

The all-or-nothing demands on your time which can put pressures on your private life: that's certainly what my wife thinks!

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

Competition law is becoming more and more litigious and I would envisage an increasingly contentious competition law environment, both between private parties and in challenges to national and EU competition authorities.

What advice would you give to young lawyers starting out?

Choose an area of law that you enjoy, otherwise you spend a lot of time being miserable; and be prepared to work hard.

Is SJ Berwin's hard-nosed reputation justified or out of date?

While I know this may contrast with the way the firm has been characterised in the press, the firm has never been 'hard-nosed'. We work hard and are driven as a firm, and as individuals; but at the same time, we look out for each other and try to be as caring as possible towards each other, while having fun.

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

I guess trainees join the firm because they like what they see at interview or during work experience and generally I believe they are right to think that we are a good firm to work for. I suppose the most common misconception is to think we have a big firm mentality. Although we are quite a big firm these days, we are not at all hierarchical or formal in the way we do things or behave towards each other and still, in many ways, behave like the small firm we were not so long ago.

Any good David Harrel anecdotes?

Yes – the day we were travelling to New York together but David didn't arrive on the plane. I spent the whole journey worrying how I would handle the meeting without him, only to discover David had arrived several hours before me, having taken Concorde (claiming, rather unconvincingly, that he arrived at Heathrow too late to catch our plane!). Needless to say he carried this off with his normal charm such that it was impossible to be angry with him!

What would you do if you weren't a lawyer?

Be a jazz singer, chairman of Watford Football Club or (if I lose weight) a jockey.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years' time?

In our house in Mougins.

What is your favourite joke?

I always like the line from the Woody Allen film, Love and Death: "Some men are heterosexual; some are bisexual… and then there are lawyers."

What's your favourite cheese?

A good Chevre.