Why did you become a lawyer? I settled on law at university as I wanted a challenging degree. Originally, I wanted to be a competition/antitrust lawyer, but once I did my first corporate seat I was hooked on M&A.

What has influenced you the most during your career? My two-year secondment as secretary to the UK Takeover Panel when I first became a partner at Ashurst. 

Proudest professional moment? I am most proud when a deal is signed and the client expresses genuine appreciation for Ashurst's contribution.

…and worst day on the job? Being blamed as a trainee (unfairly) when the partner I was working for jetted off to New York for a key arbitration with a bag full of the wrong documents!

Which lawyer do you most admire, and why? Human rights lawyers. As I lie awake wondering whether I am living my life in the best way, I often think I should be using my skills for more than just corporate work. Perhaps if I make enough money… 

What annoys you most about the legal profession? The bad press it seems to get. I always remind people who slag off lawyers that behind every lawyer is a client who is normally delighted that the lawyer is getting stuck in on their behalf. 

What advice would you give to young lawyers considering a stint abroad? Grab the opportunity and assume you are inferior in every way to the local talent and have everything to prove. 

What's your strongest characteristic: technical wizardry or smooth client skills? (You can only pick one!) On the basis that technical wizardry should be a given, I'd say smooth client skills (but any clients out there who read this may chuckle if they have caught me on a grumpy day!).

Why did you decide to move to Asia? I lived in Singapore as a child and always wanted to work in Asia. 

Best and worst thing about working as a lawyer in Asia? The best thing is the opportunity to be part of a region with GDP growth and where there are dynamic evolving businesses. The worst thing is the amount of time spent negotiating fees.

Worst corporate event you've ever attended? A sailing day with clients on a Dutch barge in the English Channel. It rained and the (cheap) blue Ashurst caps procured by our marketing team stained the foreheads of our clients bright blue. They were forever branded as Ashurst clients whether they liked it or not!

Do you ever see yourself returning to the UK? I have no current plans to do so. There is just too much to do here in Hong Kong, and the longer I stay the more wedded I get to clients here.

Do you see yourself having a life outside law? I already do. My family is a big part of my life and the convenience of Hong Kong means that you can work hard and get home quickly. From a professional perspective, I think everyone should prepare for a second or even third career. People are living longer and retirement sounds too boring so I intend to work until ill health prevents me.

What's your favourite place to spend an evening in Hong Kong? Coco Thai restaurant in Deep Water Bay on a balmy evening, drinking a cold beer and eating a green chicken curry with the sound of the sea in the background.

What's your favourite item of clothing? A dodgy brown coat (which I was recently told makes me look like a cheap detective).

Click here for more profiles from Legal Week's Dealmaker archive.