Gibson Dunn partner Jeff Roberts on playing it cool when you're the only one in the room without a holster

Why did you become a lawyer? As a boy I was transfixed by the space programme and I followed a science-based route through school. I ended up reading law at the London School of Economics where opportunities for space exploration were not widely advertised to students from the London suburbs.

Who has been the biggest influence on your career? Two partners at my previous firms – former Bischoff & Co partner Antony Thomlinson (now a partner at Eversheds) for teaching me my key technical skills and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer consultant James Davis for helping me understand what clients want.

What's your proudest professional moment? Qualifying as a solicitor in the mid-80s. I was the first member of my family to go to university, let alone to qualify into a profession.

…and worst day on the job? As a senior associate I had about 12 hours of sleep over five days working to get a deal to signing, only to have the signed documents mysteriously disappear from the locked conference room. Fortunately, they turned up in was described to me as "another safe place" – I was not best pleased.

Aside from your own firm, which lawyer do you most admire and why? Will Lawes, now senior partner at Freshfields, for being a consummate all-rounder in the corporate law arena.

What's your strongest characteristic…and worst trait? My tenacity and desire to do the best I can have served me well at work but I often annoy my family when I spend hours at home doing a DIY job my wife thinks should only take a few minutes.

What most annoys you about the legal profession? Lawyers who don't appreciate they are in a service industry and identify legal issues without also identifying solutions.

What's the best part of your job? Apart from the people, it has to be doing deals, especially complex, high-profile transactions like the bid by HP for Autonomy last year.

What's your strongest card – technical wizardry or smooth client skills? You need a fair degree of both to succeed.

What's the worst corporate event you've ever attended? A client event in Moscow where I realised I was probably the only person who had not checked in a firearm at the front desk. I was extremely careful about what I said to everyone!

Most memorable deal you ever have worked on? I have been in practice for over 25 years so there have been quite a few, but it would have to be the first corporate deal I was responsible for as an associate and successfully managed from beginning to end. It was a small private company acquisition of an insurance brokerage for CE Heath. I recall the immense satisfaction (and relief!) I felt when it successfully closed.

What advice would you give to young deal lawyers starting out? Work hard and do everything to the best of your ability. Invariably, greater responsibility and challenges will follow.

What's the toughest ethical/moral dilemma your job has ever presented you with? Having spent a number of years managing an office in Moscow in the crazy 90s there have been a few, but I'm afraid they will remain unpublished!

What is the daftest bit of corporate jargon you've heard? 'That's in my sweet spot' never fails to command a smirk.

What will be the most significant market trend in terms of your practice area over the next 12 months? I hope increasing M&A volumes, but I suspect continuing volatility because of the ongoing eurozone crisis, leaving aside any added impact of the 2012 Olympics.

Do you see yourself having a career outside law? I fear my dream of being an astronaut will remain unfulfilled.

What's your favourite item of clothing? Being follicly-challenged, it has to be my collection of warm winter beanie hats.

What's your favourite cheese? You can't beat mature English cheddar with pickle.