LG corporate veteran Nick Heather is one of AIM's leading lawyers and a persistent headache to his management

Why did you become a lawyer?

When I realised that a career as a gigolo was never going to be a runner. Actually, I sort of drifted into it after the decision to read law at university.

Who has been the biggest influence on your career?

Charles Wilkinson, the now retired head of my department. Charles was the senior partner of Blyth Dutton, who recruited me then merged the firm into Lawrence Graham. He was a talented lawyer and charismatic individual.

What's your proudest professional moment?

Not really a 'moment' as such, but seeing people who used to work with me as trainees/young assistants make partnership is very gratifying. I'm still astonished that one of them, Hugh Maule, is now our managing partner.

… and worst day on the job?

Has got to be on holiday in Tuscany celebrating my 40th birthday with friends (including other LG partners) when we had a call to tell us that Michael Fielding had absconded with a significant amount of client money.

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

Nigel Farr at Herbert Smith. Very bright and helpful without being patronising or feeling the need to score points. He is also very good company. If he was good looking he would have it all. (Sorry Nigel, but that gets you back for trying to recruit my associates!)

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

Smooth client skills. But it's touch and go.

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

Work for a firm where you genuinely enjoy the work and the people you work with. Don't be tempted by money – life is too short.

What's the best part of your job?

Working with people that I genuinely like and count as close friends. Oh, that and annoying our management team.

Who is LG's funniest partner?

Has to be Hugh Maule, our new managing partner. He is Scottish but he can't drink for toffee. I have photos and tapes that mean while he is managing partner I will never get demoted.

What's the toughest ethical/moral dilemma your job has ever presented you with?

In the dark abyss of the early 1990s we were implementing a redundancy programme and I was asked to pronounce upon the fate of an associate who was a family friend. Either that, or sitting uncomfortably in my seat when our then senior partner Bill Richards asked the assembled partners who had leaked a story about our management election to the legal press.

What annoys you most about the legal profession?

PEP figures. Get a life – you earn enough; be grateful.

What's the most memorable deal you have ever worked on and why?

The flotation of Cash Converters was memorable for two reasons: the fact that it was the first Australian company to seek a primary listing in London and a secondary listing on the Australian Stock Exchange; and the second reason was the characters involved. The management team were very blunt Australians. The brokers had to ask one of them to remove his diamond-encrusted Rolex before presentations (as it might create the wrong impression) and another one infuriated female analysts by referring to them as 'love' during presentations. There was also an arm-wrestling competition at the completion dinner. I think you get the picture.

What is the daftest bit of corporate jargon you've heard?

'Elephant Traps Memorandum'. Whatever.

How are you fitting into LG's swish new offices?

Just fine. Sometimes we get dewy-eyed about the old offices – particularly the lifts that smelt of fish and the weird stains on the carpet tiles.

What's your best LG-related anecdote?

That we apparently paid someone to come up with the strapline "Just Different". The kid who got picked on at school was 'Just Different'.

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

Things will be tougher and I suspect we will see the closure of some offices opened in London by foreign law firms.

Do you see yourself having a career outside of law?

Yes I do. Perhaps some non-executive roles with some work for good causes. Might reconsider the gigolo idea!

What's your favourite item of clothing?

My battered Canterbury rugby shirt.

What's your favourite cheese?

Mature cheddar – king of all cheeses.