Ashurst infra guru Mark Elsey on public transport, Geoffrey Green's powers of persuasion and making it up in Portugal

Why did you become a lawyer?

My father's two best friends were both lawyers and had bigger houses and cars than we did.

Who has been the biggest influence on your career?

My colleague, Ian Scott, who kept me out of the clutches of our corporate finance team and gave me my first break in the infrastructure field.

What's your proudest professional moment?

Riding on a double-decker bus over the QEII Bridge which had just been opened by the Queen.

… and worst day on the job?

Photocopying two boxes of cheque-book stubs.

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

Bruce White at Linklaters – a very good lawyer, a nice guy and has great multi-tasking skills.

How do you think assistants in your team see you?

Hopefully as someone older with more grey hair and a few more chargeable hours on the clock, who also remembers standing in their shoes.

What most annoys you about the legal profession?

Lawyers who have advised on one infrastructure transaction and know all the answers. I've been working on these transactions for 20 years and I'm still learning.

What's your strongest characteristic… and worst trait?

Very focused; too focused.

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

Choosing which client not to upset on a conflict.

If you could change one thing about the profession, what would it be?

The need to account for every hour of my life.

As a paid-up transport/infra guru, do you feel a pressure to use public transport?

Of course – I often take taxis!

What is the daftest bit of projects/infra-related jargon you've heard (and did you smirk)?

The competitive dialogue procedure – it often makes me cry.

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

The continuing rise of Middle East and Asian markets, increased social pressures for improved infrastructure, continuing investment appetite for infrastructure assets and increasing global competition for energy and natural resources – other than that, not much.

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

My first Christmas party at Ashurst, held in the basement at our offices in Eldon Street. Music was provided from a portable ghetto-blaster, the wine was served in plastic cups, food consisted of peanuts and crisps and the evening ended prematurely when a fight broke out between the postroom and the photocopying teams. In retrospect, maybe it was the best…?

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

The Second Tagus crossing in Portugal. There were no rules, there were no precedents and not much law – we made it up as we went along – and it worked.

Top-level projects sources tell us that Ashurst's energy, transport and infrastructure team is a 'work hard, play hard' kind of outfit and that you lead by example. Outrageous slur or fair cop?

Everything in moderation is my byword.

Have you read Graham Vinter's book Project Finance: a Legal Guide, and if so, what did you think was the best bit?

I had the pleasure to work with Graham earlier in my career on a deal and always felt that actions spoke louder than words.

What's the best bit of advice Geoffrey Green has ever given you?

Geoffrey doesn't advise, he persuades.

Who is Ashurst's funniest partner?

John Watson, but aren't all tax partners comedians at heart?

Do you see yourself having a career outside law?

Some of my colleagues would say that I'm already there.

What would be your motto?

The more I practise, the luckier I get.

What's your favourite item of clothing?

Everything that my wife gives me!

What's your favourite cheese?

Not a concept that my doctor allows me to have after 20 years of client entertaining.