The Mayer Brown competition head on racist guest speakers, Satanic clients and unusual Italian cheese

Why did you become a lawyer? A distinctly Scottish sense of right and wrong, combined with the appeal of intellectual challenges and the need to find practical solutions to legal problems.

Who has been the biggest influence on your career? Philosophically speaking, Voltaire. Legally speaking, half a dozen people; a mix of colleagues and clients whom I have worked with over the years and from whom I've learned a great deal – they've been great mentors and friends. 

What's your proudest professional moment? Whenever I get a really good result for a client against difficult odds. 

…and worst day on the job? As a trainee, being locked in a police cell to interview a client who informed me he was an adept of Satan.

Aside from your own firm, which lawyer do you most admire and why? Mahatma Gandhi for his peaceful pursuit of truth and justice.

What's your strongest characteristic… and worst trait? Persistence. That might also be my worst trait.

What advice would you give to young deal lawyers starting out? Never admit you know how to fix a computer.

What's the best part of your job? Winning a case for a client.

What's the toughest ethical/moral dilemma your job has ever presented you with? Being asked, a long time ago, to misrepresent the truth on a client's behalf. I refused to do it.

What most annoys you about the legal profession? It's been slow to adopt diversity and seems to flinch from the implications of new technology for legal practice.

What's your strongest card – technical wizardry or smooth client skills (you can only pick one)? Clients have said they like the way I work with their team on their deals. I am always conscious that I can't just walk into a deal with legal hobnailed boots – it's essential to be sensitive to the culture and internal dynamics of the client.

What's the worst corporate event you've ever attended? One where the invited guest speaker started to make racist and sexist jokes that clearly offended most of the audience. My clients and I went to the pub. 

Most memorable deal you ever have worked on and why? A complex international merger that needed merger clearances in multiple jurisdictions within a tight timetable. I really relished dealing with all the challenges it presented.

What is the daftest bit of corporate jargon you've heard (and did you smirk)? There is one Professor of Piffle who stands out above all others. I can't disclose who that is, obviously, but I do smirk (privately) when I am confronted with that person's jargon.

What will be the most significant market trend in terms of your practice area over the next 12 months? In the UK, the Office of Fair Trading and Competition Commission are due to merge into the Competition and Markets Authority, which will take over their powers on 1 April 2014. It will be interesting the see how the UK competition landscape changes as a result of this, and especially how it affects the assessment of deals.

Do you see yourself having a career outside law? I think plumbing is a very worthwhile career, with perhaps more similarities to the law than you might initially think.

What's your favourite item of clothing? My ancient black walking fleece.

What's your favourite cheese? Norcia truffle cheese.

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