One of the City's most experienced transactional media specialists, Adrian Bott heads Osborne Clarke's corporate team

Why did you become a lawyer?

By accident – I was going for advertising but my parents suggested I take a vacation job at a law firm, which offered me a job. It saved me from writing at least 85 application letters.

Who has been the biggest influence on your career?

Probably Christopher Cooke (head of corporate, Rooks Rider) and Simon Olswang (of the eponymous firm).

What's your proudest professional moment?

Pride before a fall – but there have been many professional moments I have enjoyed. Some of the best have been seeing assistants I have worked with become partners. Perhaps being honoured to be a member of UK Law Firm of the Year 2006 at Osborne Clarke, and having had the same honour while at my last firm.

…and worst day on the job?

In articles (as they were way back then), being required to serve an eviction order on a 'lady of the night' (who was of considerably more than a 'certain age') in a fourth-floor bedsit in Wardour Street, Soho. Scary, for more than one reason.

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

Those brilliant enough to impart generous proportions of wit and irreverence into their dealings. I have many heroes: Stephen Fox at Ashurst, Andrew Dobson at Lawrence Graham, Daniel Kossoff at Clifford Chance and Nigel Edwards at Lewis Silkin, to name but a few.

What's your strongest characteristic…and worst trait?

Working with people; and the tendency to say 'yes' too often.

How do you think assistants in your team view you?

'He's running late again, then…'

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

It doesn't get any easier; be reasonable with all with whom you deal; keep a strong grip on commercial and common sense; you are in a service industry; be sure it is something you really want to do, as it requires passion and commitment to be good.

What is the best part of your job?

The variety. It's like going to the theatre every day. You have an idea of the basic plot, but when the curtain goes up you don't necessarily know how it will unfold.

What most annoys you about the legal profession?

Point-scorers and table-thumpers, particularly.

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

To be effective, you need to be a blend of the two. You have to keep absorbing and having the technical aspects, but be able to relate as a human being.

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

Hard to predict, but probably M&A among internet-related businesses.

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

They are actually pretty well briefed, so I hope they're not surprised! It can be easy to underestimate the importance of attention to detail – and the volume of paper they end up having to manage.

Any weird hobbies?

Everything is relative – but none that aren't legal.

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

Be restoring old houses in between visits to all the entries in the Good Pub Guide.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years' time?

All children 'off the payroll' and the bank balance creeping towards the black.

What is your favourite joke?

I love good wit but am crap at remembering jokes. One favourite piece of humour is Spike Milligan's choice of epitaph – which I would wish to share with him – "I told you I wasn't well…"

What's your favourite cheese?

It is more about where, with whom and with what you are eating it. A good 'goat' with accompanying salad and country wine, gently cooking in Provencal sunshine takes some beating.

Dealmaker returns in two weeks.