Confirmed deal junkie Alan Samson co-heads Gibson Dunn & Crutcher's highly rated real estate team

Why did you become a lawyer?

It was a tough call between law and business (I traded currencies before and spent some time in the real estate business after my degree at the London School of Economics). As a teenager, family members would suggest (on the back of my being "creatively argumentative") that I would make a good lawyer, so I went with that. I have never looked back.

Who has been the biggest influence on your career?

I am fortunate to have worked with some of the best brains in the business, first as a young lawyer at Nabarro, then learning the ropes US-style at Weil Gotshal & Manges in New York (to where I was seconded in the mid-1990s), and latterly (since 2000) at Gibson Dunn. But it is the clients with whom I have worked in the trenches who I would say have had the most to do with shaping my career.

What have been your proudest professional moments?

Each time I am hired by a client I have targeted or closing difficult deals (Westbrook/Dolphin Square and Marriott/Whitbread are two recent deals I've particularly enjoyed) and seeing associates I have worked with succeed.

… and worst day on the job?

First week as a trainee litigator, forgetting to post a letter for the partner I sat with. He brooded for a week suggesting it was a career-busting move.

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

There are many. As a client, I'd hire any of these – all consummate dealmakers and fun to work with: Imogen Moss and Simon Roberts (Allen & Overy); Chris de Pury and Anthony Grossman (Berwin Leighton Paisner); Tony Briam, Andrew Carnegie and Iain Morpeth (Clifford Chance); Geoff Le Pard and Simon Johnson (Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer); David Johnson (Slaughter and May); Debbie Carslaw (Sidley Austin); Mike Bardell and Spencer Summerfield (Travers Smith).

What's the best part of your job?

Working creatively in the best profession with some of the most talented people around.

What's the best thing about being a real estate lawyer?

Variety and deal flow.

What advice would you give to young real estate lawyers starting out?

Distinguish yourself by becoming an all-round deal lawyer – learn finance and corporate and how to negotiate a joint venture as well as you know your real estate. Clients do not want to talk to three people to figure out what's going on. And remember, it is about getting the deal done – client gets happy and we get paid.

What's your strongest characteristic… and worst trait?

Calling a spade a spade, determination to pull my deals over the line and staying calm under pressure. The spade business can sometimes rebound.

Why should aspiring lawyers join your firm?

You get to be yourself, colleagues will go out of their way to help you, you work and play hard and the sky's the limit.

What most annoys you about the legal profession?

Lawyers who waffle or who cannot admit when they are out of their depth. Lawyers who think it is about them or who cannot close a deal.

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

Client man.

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

Bottom-fishing for distressed assets, acquiring commercial loan portfolios and mezz positions at discounts, continued uptick in BRIC investment and sizing up REITs to be taken private. The credit crunch will sort out the men from the boys.

How do you think assistants in your team view you?

I hope as a gentleman and colleague from whom they can learn a thing or two.

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

Movie mogul.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years' time?

Doing deals but playing more tennis and taking longer holidays.

Any New Year resolutions?

Get home more in time to put my three boys (aged five and under) to bed.

What would you put on your tombstone?

My name.

What's your favourite cheese?

Samson cheese – my uncle from Copenhagen has been a cheesemaker for a generation.

Dealmaker returns in two weeks.