Brick Court Chambers' William Wood QC on straight-talking mediation, being compared to a statue and why all lawyers are either radiators or drains

Why did you become a barrister?

In a successful attempt to avoid being bored.

Who has been the biggest influence on your career?

Robert Webb QC, now general counsel at BA. Gordon Strachan said all footballers were either radiators or drains – it's the same with lawyers. Robert is the best radiator I have ever met. The only unkind thing he ever said to me was to accuse me of "doing an impression of Rodin's The Junior" during a conference in which I was contributing even less than usual. I have stolen a lot of his lines over the years.

What's your proudest professional moment?

Mediating a settlement after one side's opening submission had consisted of the words "F*ck off arsehole" (not directed at me – at least, I don't think so).

…and worst day on the job?

Being recommended by Legal Business as an insurance silk on the basis that I was "always extremely popular with my opponents".

What's your strongest characteristic?

I have the ability to listen to people and I occasionally use it.

…and worst trait?

Talking too fast. Transcript writers hate me.

What distinguishes Brick Court from the competition?

A fantastic range of expertise that really works across chambers of a size that was unimaginable when I qualified.

Do today's Bar Vocational Course students have it easier or harder than your generation of barristers?

Harder. I am one of those old farts who suspects they would not even have been allowed to read law under the current system, let alone get a pupillage.

What annoys you most about the legal profession?

Churning.

What's the best part of your job?

To have dreaded a tough day in court or a difficult mediation and then to walk out at the end into the spring sunshine knowing that there is no other job you would rather have been doing.

How do you think the junior tenants in chambers view you?

They think my interest in mediation is eccentric – but then so does my bank manager.

What advice would you give to young barristers starting out?

It's always later than you think.

How did you secure a pupillage?

I was wrongly informed by my college that my first set of chambers did lots of public law. I duly went there and found myself with the wonderful Michael Harvey QC. No public law, no judicial review, but a fantastic start. I suppose that element of chance has gone now.

The article appears in the Spring 2007 edition of the Legal Week Student supplement. Click here for a full list of articles. To order a hard copy email [email protected] or ring 020 7004 7422.

Legal Week Student Spring 2007