Youssef Djehane, a partner at France's Gide, on being thrown in at the deep end as a novice and finding it difficult to admire corporate lawyers

Why did you become a lawyer?

I considered diplomacy, but realised that my temperament was better suited to the business world.

Who has been the biggest influence on your career?

Jean Loyrette, one of the founders of Gide, with whom I had the great good fortune to work when I started at the firm. He had a unique ability to foresee accurately how things would develop, not only for our firm, but also on the deals he was involved with.

What is your proudest professional moment?

Becoming a partner at Gide.

… and worst day on the job?

During my first six months at Gide, I found myself asked to attend a meeting at short notice with one of our clients, a top investment bank in the UK, because an urgent personal matter had come up for the partner who was meant to be there.

I was asked to explain to about 30 senior bankers, accountants, English lawyers and strategy consultants how French foreign investment regulation worked. I had only a broad understanding of what was a very technical area of law and I barely spoke English at the time. Incredibly, I still work for the same client today (no doubt because the senior bankers who were at that meeting have all since retired).

What is the most common cultural misunderstanding when working on deals between France and the UK?

During negotiations, when a French lawyer proposes a solution to an English lawyer and the response is "it sounds like a good idea", the French lawyer often thinks that his English colleague agrees with him!

What is your strongest characteristic… and worst trait?

I find it very difficult to hide what I really think.

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

I have great respect for many people in the profession. However, sometimes I find it hard to "admire" someone who, like me, has devoted much of his or her life to being a corporate lawyer.

How do you sell yourself in client pitches?

I suggest in the pitch that, if at all possible, they speak to a client with whom I have done a similar type of transaction.

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

Work hard and remember that there is always something to learn.

What's the best part of your job?

Having the chance to meet bright and interesting people from around the world.

What most annoys you about the legal profession in France?

Lawyers holding up a deal on points with no substance.

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

The way things have been going, I think it is difficult right now to look that far ahead. At the moment, we are busy looking at possible deals for some of our big corporate clients.

What would you do if you were not a lawyer?

I'm not sure, but I don't think I would have made it as a diplomat.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

At Gide, of course.

What is the best lawyer joke you've heard?

I haven't heard a really good one lately (actually, I'm not sure that lawyers and jokes really go together… with some exceptions, of course).

Where do you usually take your summer holiday?

On a sailing boat in the western Mediterranean sea.

Global firms – what do you think of them?

They're a good idea – provided that quality can still be maintained across the board.

What is your favourite cheese?

That's a very difficult question for a cheese lover who is from a country with 365 types of cheese!