Private equity specialist Will Rosen is one of the star recruits to DLA Piper's City corporate team

Why did you become a lawyer?

I'm a Jewish boy who can't stand the sight of blood and can't count.

Who has been the biggest influence on your career?

There have been plenty of influences – my father for giving me the chance to spend another two years as a student and insisting I got a proper job (I had been working in sports television); Maurice Allen and Nick Holt for giving me the opportunity at Weil Gotshal & Manges when it opened in London in 1996; and Mike Francies.

What's your proudest professional moment?

Closing my first corporate deal. I was a trainee and the whole deal was done in 36 hours, start to finish. It was great on-the-job learning, particularly as we had to cut short the completion meeting to chase some thieves who had broken the window in the next office to steal some computers.

…and worst day on the job?

Two spring to mind. First, going to Belgrade for the day for a meeting and being told just before heading back to the airport to fly home that we were not allowed to leave the country until the deal was done – I was there for a month and just had the suit I was wearing. Second, being asked by Mike Francies one morning if I could fill in for him at a meeting a couple of hours later – it turned out that I had to give a 45-minute presentation and take part in a panel discussion at a private equity conference!

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

Despite my previous answer, Mike Francies at Weil Gotshal – great lawyer, great person.

What's your strongest characteristic… and worst trait?

Strongest: I am told this is my sense of humour and interest in people. Worst: apparently my jokes are awful.

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

Treat others as you wish to be treated yourself – what goes around tends to come around.

What most annoys you about the legal profession?

Not too much, but if I had to pick a couple of things it would be unnecessary point-scoring and lawyers wasting time arguing points they would never give if the positions were reversed.

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

To spare the blushes of those involved, it is probably not for print.

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

Client skills. I think we can drop the 'smooth'.

What's the worst corporate event you've ever attended?

A client reception in Germany at which only two clients turned up – we outnumbered them around five to one but we did have fun talking to the waiters.

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

A couple of years ago I was in a meeting where in a single speech the client managed to use so many buzzwords and cliches that I could see people inwardly calling 'Bingo'. Phrases I can remember include moving boulders from the critical path, goal-setting, management bandwidth, empowerment, paradigm, zero sum game – I could go on, but it was a brilliant performance!

You spent 11 years at Weil Gotshal – how wrenching was it to leave?

It was really tough but the opportunity to spend the summer with my family was very special.

What was it like to join a start-up office back when there were only about five UK lawyers with US law firms?

A huge amount of fun (as you would expect with Maurice Allen, Nick Holt et al being involved). The beer fridge in the middle of the office was a winner!

Why DLA Piper?

The people, their ambition and enthusiasm… and the chance to work out of our Moscow office when Manchester United win the Champions League this year.

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

I am not as pessimistic as some in the market. There will be continued activity in the mid-market and some interesting distressed opportunities.

Do you see yourself having a career outside law?

Yes, either as a lottery winner or, if the opportunity arose, as a Chris Mort equivalent at Manchester United.

What's your favourite item of clothing?

Anything but a suit.

What's your favourite cheese?

Just about anything Italian.