Dechert's Adam Levin on his move from New Zealand to the City, his love of Virgin Radio and his son's valuable advice

Why did you become a lawyer?

It was a childhood dream. One that I never really doubted would come true. My parents (neither lawyers) were keen to encourage me.

Who has been the biggest influence on your career?

My wife, who convinced me to leave Slaughter and May for Russell McVeagh McKenzie Bartleet & Co [now Russell McVeagh] in Auckland, New Zealand, and then, after we had subsequently settled in Sydney, Australia, and I had been a partner at law firm Church & Grace for over five years, convinced me to give it all up and return to the UK with our children to start again… as an associate in London.

What is your proudest professional moment?

Being offered a position at Baker & McKenzie, London after I had worked in NZ and Australia for over eight years. It made me so proud that I could survive a major career shock.

… and worst day on day on the job?

The day when a judge handed down a judgment in Sydney on a major piece of litigation I was running and had been working on for two years. We had won all the points except the key point, meaning that the whole case was lost. I told my son, Joshua, the next day in the car on the way to school that I had lost my court case. He cheered me up no end by telling me to make sure that, in future, I put my name on my court case so that I could find it again if it were ever lost.

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

There are two lawyers that fit this category. First, Thomas Buckley, former head of my group at Slaughter and May when I qualified as a solicitor there. He had an amazing way with clients and a fiercely sharp mind that could handle any situation. Also, Neville Grace, the senior partner at Church & Grace in Sydney. Notwithstanding his advanced age, he still continues as an active partner there who remains very bright and the source of much wisdom and advice.

What is your strongest characteristic… and worst trait?

I would like to think that my strongest characteristic is the preparation I do for issues that may arise in a meeting or on a transaction that gives me confidence that the matters I advise on have been properly thought through. The flip side of this is the sometimes tedious, but necessary, work that has to be undertaken, which, I am sure, seems rather too painstaking for many around me.

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

Only become a deal lawyer if you have the drive and ambition to be a partner. The long hours and stress just aren't worth it otherwise.

How do you think assistants in your team see you?

Someone who is a bit tough on them because of my expectations of consistency and thoroughness

What misconceptions do junior lawyers have about the firm before they join?

Unlike many US firms in London, Dechert is a full-service firm.

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

During the course of some legal proceedings I was leading in Sydney, the person at my client who had responsibility for the matter was sent anonymously, out of the blue, a copy of a QC's opinion that the other side had taken about their prospects in the proceedings. The client immediately passed it on to me and I then had to decide what to do with this. Should we read it, keep it, or send it back? I sent it back to them about an hour after I had received it.

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

An unfair question deserves an equally unfair answer: 'it depends on the circumstances'.

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

I would abolish hourly billing for transactional matters and move to a system of reward by reference to outcome. This would align our interests directly to those of our client.

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

Coping with the credit crunch and the inevitable major drop off in work and transactions that will arise.

What would be your motto?

Be careful what you wish for.

What's your favourite cheese?

Brian Murphy from Christian O'Connell's breakfast show on Virgin Radio. He is the cheesiest person I know, so the things he says are my favourite cheese.