Eversheds' most retiring corporate partner Danny Hall has led on some of the biggest M&A deals ever run outside the Square Mile

Why did you become a lawyer?

Because, sadly, we didn't have a big family business in which I could tool around and otherwise play golf.

Who has been the biggest influence on your career?

My fellow Eversheds partner Edward Pysden, who is very bright and principled, and Jeremy Brownlow of Clifford Chance (CC). Jeremy was a heavyweight deal-doer who made a point that the Butterworths Company Law Handbook should never be brought into his office. Sadly, Jeremy died last year, aged 59.

What's your proudest professional moment?

Either winning the Northwest Lawyer of the Year for the fifth time in six years in 2006, or being voted Northwest Dealmaker of the Decade.

… and worst day on the job?

It's a toss-up between:

- being left waiting for two hours in reception on my first day as an articled clerk at Eversheds in 1985, to my increasing annoyance, because the receptionists thought I was up myself. We had a good laugh about it later;

- being caught sleeping under my desk at CC;

- being seriously bollocked as an articled clerk at Eversheds for getting the court bundles wrong for Brady v Brady in the House of Lords.

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

Andrew Holt at DLA Piper. Talented.

What's your strongest characteristic … and worst trait?

Best: smelling whether a deal is doable and a family-instilled appreciation of the English language – the main tool of our trade. Worst: impatience.

How do you think assistants in your team view you?

Historically – as the Tasmanian Devil. These days, as a man who drives Evershedian visions and values and all things nice.

What advice would you give to young lawyers starting out?

Join a hedge fund instead. However, if they insisted on a legal career – probably that they should concentrate on their technical skills, black letter law, detail and drafting. Deal strategy and an ability to negotiate a winning position should follow later.

What's the best part of your job?

Taking the team for a huge post-deal lunch and waxing over how we stuffed the opposition. The team never tires of it!

What most annoys you about the legal profession?

(i) That the law keeps changing. I was just getting up to speed with the Financial Services Act 1986.

(ii) That we are at the bottom of the advisory food chain but often do the hard thinking and the bulk of the work.

How do you see yourself: technical whizz or client man?

I'm happy for Stephen Barc to remain as editor of Tolley's Company Law.

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

Trade buyers giving private equity bidders a run for their money.

Do you ever get sick of London-based lawyers bagging roles on deals in your region?

Yes, it is a major bug-bear but it is happening less. The bar keeps being raised. For example, my team advised all the sellers on the £1.5bn sale of Caudwell Group (Phones4U etc) last year and we are currently advising Bodycote International on its £1bn-plus public bid approach from Sulzer.

How does Manchester stack up as a base for ambitious deal lawyers?

Well – the region has quality corporates doing deals all over the world and we completed more buy-outs in the northwest in 2006 (94) than any other part of the UK.

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

That all the law they have learnt will have little part to play with the bulk of what we do for clients.

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

Be a corporate financier.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years' time?

Doing deals and hopefully being driven around by my children.

What is your most reassuring line?

"The title of this movie will not appear on your hotel bill."

What's your favourite cheese?

Any, if there is some decent red with it.

Dealmaker returns in two weeks.