Wragges head of property Adrian Bland is one of the top lawyers to emerge from the Midlands' highly-rated real estate scene

Why did you become a lawyer?

It all started with my uncle Alan, a police prosecuting sergeant in Liverpool – the central magistrates court on a Saturday morning was compulsive viewing.

Who has been the biggest influence on your career?

'The MBO King' David Haggett, former senior partner of Eversheds in Birmingham. He was the dealmaker's dealmaker. He negotiated the commercial terms, structured the deal, raised the finance and ran rings around the City's finest.

What's your proudest professional moment?

Seeing the 1.4 million sq ft Mailbox scheme in Birmingham open – the largest single-building mixed-use scheme in Europe. I was lucky enough to be involved from the start, wandering around the vast hulk of the original building with the visionary Alan Chatham and Mark Billingham. It was like being on the set of the X-Files at that point.

…and worst day on the job?

The day I wrote a full and frank letter to a volatile client criticising the 'greed' of the other party in a delicate situation, in which the other party held a ransom. My temporary secretary promptly faxed it in error to the other party – and then things went nuclear.

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

Aside from my own firm and my wife (who is also a lawyer), Parmjit Singh of Eversheds – a storming property lawyer with awesome dedication to his clients.

What's your strongest characteristic… and worst trait?

Determination… and worst trait – from my perspective – self-criticism in language that would make a drill sergeant blush.

How do you think assistants in your team view you?

I have just asked two of them. They sniggered unpleasantly and said "inspirational leader".

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

Grab every opportunity you can to build your skills, watch and learn from more experienced lawyers and start developing a strong peer group in related professions.

What's the best part of your job?

On the client side, making things happen and seeing a scheme come out of the ground. On the management side, helping people to achieve their personal best.

What most annoys you about the legal profession?

Pedantry and arrogance.

What's your strongest card — technical wizardry or smooth client skills? (you can only choose one)

'Smooth' is overstating it, but the latter.

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

A cooling in the investment market.

Is Wragges as cuddly as its reputation?

There is a healthy emphasis on performance, matched by a genuine warmth and concern for people. That is a powerful combination rarely seen in large firms.

Why should aspiring lawyers join your firm?

Because the people and the support are great, the client list is to die for and the place has a real heart and soul.

What would you do if you hadn't become a lawyer?

Like many property lawyers, I am really a frustrated developer. But, most of all, I would like to be a stand-up comedian.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years' time?

Gainfully employed, in this world or the next. Hopefully not stoking fires if the latter.

What's your best Quentin Poole anecdote?

You need to start talking serious money before I delve into that rich archive.

What would you have written on your tombstone?

"Here lies one who knew how to get around men and women who were cleverer than himself."

What's your favourite cheese?

Funny you should ask that – at university, some friends and I set out to eat all the cheeses listed in the Monty Python Cheese Shop sketch. To our surprise, we found all of them except Venezuelan Beaver Cheese, which remains the Holy Grail among cheeses.