Phil Sanderson is one of the leading – and most sardonic – partners in Travers Smith's private equity team

So do you fancy doing Dealmaker?

Only if you make me rich and famous.

Why did you become a lawyer?

Watching John Houseman in [1973 law school-based drama] The Paper Chase.

Who has been the biggest influence on your career?

In my early days, Nigel Campion-Smith who taught me to think like a lawyer. Later, Chris Hale, who taught me the importance of sartorial elegance.

What's your proudest professional moment?

A duet with Edmund Reed at a recent Christmas party.

… and worst day on the job?

Dropping the Braithwaite from Travers Smith without adding a Sanderson.

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

Most of Matthew Layton's team at Clifford Chance – high quality, commercial advice, clients we would like!

What's your strongest characteristic…and worst trait?

Confidence.

How do you think assistants in your team view you?

Direct but fair.

What's the best part of your job?

Building teams. Seeing clients' satisfaction.

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

Client skills – smooth probably overstates it.

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

Fewer but better deals in the mid-market. Far fewer larger deals. More golf.

Who is Travers Smith's funniest partner?

Spencer Summerfield, unintentionally.

What most annoys you about the legal profession?

Obsession with over-delivering.

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

Befriend the real experts. Listen to clients.

What's the best bit of wisdom Chris Carroll has ever passed on?

Work harder.

What is the daftest bit of private equity jargon you've heard (and did you smirk)?

"We need to make sure this is ready for the oven before we bake it."

You spent a year on secondment in New York – 24/7 work or mostly on the town?

I had just become a dad for the first time, so 24/7 work.

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

That Chris Carroll is an international playboy, unless Norfolk counts.

What's your best Travers Smith anecdote?

These are difficult questions – how about my favourite business trip anecdote? I went on my first marketing trip to New York as a fresh-faced partner keen to make a good impression. I was accompanying our ageing senior partner, Alasdair Douglas. I arrived at the Virgin (probably economy) check-in to hear Alasdair explaining with fluttering eyelids and his best Sean Connery tones that he was travelling with his young nephew, a Master Philip Sanderson, and would it be possible to arrange for us to sit apart. He became Uncle Al for the remainder of the trip, much to the bemusement of every hotel receptionist, taxi driver, waitress and American lawyer.

Why should aspiring lawyers join your firm?

High quality work, supportive teams, dynamic culture.

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

Relax.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years' time?

Working within a better understood private equity industry as part of a Travers Smith team others are envious of.

What's your favourite item of clothing?

The bright green Borat mankini my team bought me for Christmas.

What would you put on your tombstone?

Good leaver.

What's your favourite cheese?

Roquefort.

Dealmaker returns in two weeks.