Addleshaws' Qatar head on fleeing Iraq, elusive smoking guns and the dangers of office flings

Why did you become a lawyer? I had a great sense of justice and injustice – my father was sentenced to death in absentia in Iraq and had all his assets sequestered by the Ba'athist Regime at the time. We had to move to England almost overnight and start a new life. It was harder for my parents who left a very pampered existence almost overnight to start afresh in a new country.

Who has been the biggest influence on your career? My father – he never failed to support me and encourage me. He showed me how dedication and hard work paid off for him when he lost almost everything. 

What's your proudest professional moment? Probably the day we found that rare 'smoking gun' as a new associate dragged into an enormous litigation review. The joy of finding something that would help the client and allow us all to have a normal life again after 18-hour days for weeks on end was quite something.

…and worst day on the job? The day I received a call from my personal assistant in Baghdad to tell me my office manager had been killed.

Aside from your own firm, which lawyer do you most admire and why? I am blessed to have worked with some superb lawyers and admire almost all of my former bosses. One showed me that humility goes a long way; another the value of perseverance; and a third created a billion-dollar industry out of nothing.

What's your strongest characteristic… and worst trait? Loyalty… and persistence.

What advice would you give to young deal lawyers starting out? Enjoy your work. Never be ashamed to ask a question. And don't have affairs with your colleagues – it ruined one of my friends' careers 20 years back.

What's the best part of your job? Telling a young lawyer that he/she is hired.

What's the toughest ethical/moral dilemma your job has ever presented you with? Being asked to represent the family of a person I believed had blood on their hands.

What's your strongest card – technical wizardry or smooth client skills (you can only pick one)? Smooth skills, if I had to pick.

What is the most memorable deal you ever have worked on and why? Hearing that a client was the successful bidder on a multi-billion dollar deal that my team worked on and was awarded in a developing country.

What is the daftest bit of corporate jargon you've heard (and did you smirk)? When law firms describe themselves as 'silver circle' or 'bronze circle'. I'm dubious as to whether this means anything to anyone anymore, yet this corporate branding is still used to justify charging clients higher fees. 

What will be the most significant market trend in terms of your practice area over the next 12 months? I think we will see more law firms re-engineering their businesses to create new ways of working, as there is now growing acceptance that the legal market needs to transform to satisfy client demands. I also think the trend for consolidation will continue, which will lead to the disappearance of a number of firms.

Do you see yourself having a career outside law? No, as I have too many school-paying years in front of me!

What's your favourite item of clothing? A pair of Nike Flyknit trainers that my wife thoughtfully bought me to re-discover exercise!

What's your favourite cheese? I love cheese – a reason that I have gained a few kilos.

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