Mark Stamp is a budding author, a loyal follower of the Thunderbirds and a partner in Linklaters' corporate team

Why did you become a lawyer?

I was one of those annoying individuals who knew from their mid-teens exactly what they wanted to do, despite having no family as lawyers or, indeed, any experience of it. This was confirmed by a career aptitude test I did at school when I was unable to do even the specimen questions that related to manual dexterity.

Who has been the biggest influence on your career?

Charles Allen-Jones, an ex-head of corporate and senior partner. All I remember is Charles passing my room, asking if I was busy, ignoring the answer and finding myself at a meeting involving a major transaction. I learnt a lot from his pragmatic and energetic manner and polished client skills.

What's your proudest professional moment?

Having completed a transaction for an Italian bank, I got a personal tour of the Sistine Chapel and even got to go into Pauline Chapel, which is never open to the public and contains Michelangelo's Crucifixion of St Peter. It was a very spiritual and humbling experience.

… and worst day on the job?

As a recently qualified lawyer I challenged our fearsome senior partner, John Mayo, on a point of law. I could feel the partners with whom I was working visibly back away from me. Of course, Mayo was right and I was wrong! It was a valuable lesson in ensuring brain is engaged before opening mouth.

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

Matt Murdock (aka Daredevil) – how many of us could combine the demands of being a superhero with that of a partner in a law firm? And he's blind.

What's your strongest characteristic… and worst trait?

Loyalty and impatience. Oh yes, and having my room too cold. A number of my colleagues either refuse to do conference calls in my office or turn up in mid-summer dressed for a sleigh ride.

What's your strongest card – technical wizardry or smooth client skills? (You can only pick one.)

You need both otherwise you are like a brush salesman with no brushes. I've got a few brushes.

What most annoys you about the legal profession?

Lawyers that draft "in the event that" when they mean "if".

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

Read those two classic textbooks: Practical Company Law and Corporate Transactions; and International Insider Dealing, both published by City & Financial and available from all good bookshops. I promise to use the royalties for the good of mankind.

How do you think assistants in your team view you?

Hard but fair – and very noisy.

What's the best part of your job?

Taking credit for the work of others.

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

A few months of uncertainty followed by a strengthening of the equities market. In addition, the rise of the sovereign funds – which may well make as big a contribution to the financial markets over the next five years as private equity has done over the previous five.

Who's your hero?

Steve, my first house captain, and Virgil Tracy (pilot of Thunderbird Two).

What's the silliest bit of corporate jargon you've heard? And did you smirk?

Let's square the circle before the fat lady sings. No, I didn't smirk – I said it.

Do you shop at Sainsbury's?

All the time.

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

Restaurateur (my parents were in the business so it is not a view formed by watching too much Jamie Oliver) or pilot of Thunderbird Two (if Virgil doesn't want to do it any more).

Where do you see yourself in 10 years' time?

Working for International Rescue in some capacity.

What's your favourite item of clothing?

My suit which has a (subtle) translucent window-pane check. It sounds awful and, to be fair, some of my colleagues feel that it is.

What would you put on your tombstone?

Res ipsa loquitur (let the facts speak for themselves).

What's your favourite cheese?

Anything from the Sainsbury's Taste the Difference range.

Dealmaker returns in two weeks.