Hammonds corporate veteran Nick Allen on failing to reach out to a rewarding career in criminal law

What's the closest you have come to doing something other than law? It is more a case that I was intending to become a different sort of lawyer. All the way through college I anticipated being a criminal law advocate. I took two years off after the College of Law and when I returned to the UK I went for two interviews, one to a legal aid firm and one to a corporate firm. I accepted the offer from the latter. Once qualified I worked at the King's Cross citizens advice bureau one night a week for a number of years until I could no longer balance it with the day job.

Who has been the biggest influence on your career? My parents will not believe it, but both of them for giving unqualified support and encouragement and – only when asked – totally sound advice. I need to work on this approach with my own children.

What's your proudest professional moment? It is difficult not to say being made partner. But like others who have completed this questionnaire before me, seeing the people you have personally hired or worked with since they were junior lawyers become successful senior lawyers is very satisfying.

…and worst day on the job? Without question, having to make people redundant.

Aside from your clients, which business figure do you most admire and why? No-one especially. Entrepreneurs who have created a business from scratch impress me – especially when they make fine bicycles.

What's the best business book you've read? I always have at least two books on the go, but I don't tend to read business books.

Has the recession changed the face of the legal profession? Yes. However, the provision of professional services is constantly changing. It is not just because of the recession. The profession is very different to the one I started in. Not worse, just different, and like other facets of commercial life, it will continue to change.

To what extent do you think the legal profession needs to change over the next 20 years? How lawyers deal with client demands for reduced costs is clearly a major challenge. As part of that, how we convince our clients that we are providing them with value and differentiate ourselves from other lawyers and indeed the paper clip supplier is crucial.

What's your motto? Do unto others…

Most memorable deal you have worked on and why? I tend not to look back, but my last deal involved acting for the selling shareholders of Cath Kidston. This was an excellent transaction containing most of the characteristics that help me enjoy my job.

What most annoys you about the banking profession? The timetables set at the start of a transaction by the investment banks can be quite interesting.

What is the daftest bit of corporate jargon you've heard (and did you smirk)? It is not corporate jargon but I have never managed to get used to the expression "reaching out to someone".

What's your favourite fictional representation of a lawyer and why? I always quite liked Tulkinghorn in Bleak House. Not a man to be trifled with.

To what extent would you agree with the following statement: 'Ally McBeal was a crime against a) the legal profession, b) television, c) the public'? Ally who?

What's your favourite cheese? Lychees.

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