White & Case City litigation partner Charles Balmain represented Turkish conglomerate Cukurova for more than seven years in its dispute with Russia's Alfa Group over a controlling stake in Turkcell, the largest mobile telecoms company in Turkey.

Balmain, who made partner at the firm in 2013, is head of EMEA disputes for commercial litigation and white collar matters.

Why did you become a litigator? When I qualified with White & Case, I was fortunate – I had the choice of being a competition lawyer in Brussels, an international arbitration practitioner in Paris, or a commercial disputes lawyer in London. I chose the latter for a combination of reasons, including romance.

What's the closest you have come to doing something other than law? I regularly toy with the idea of being a furniture-maker. My parents set up a great business (feel free to visit balmainandbalmain.com). My sister now runs it, and I'm sure there's room for a few more siblings.

Why work in a law firm rather than become a barrister? The blend of law and human interaction that working at a firm, rather than in chambers, brings.

Which judge or barrister do you most admire and why? I don't wish to appear sycophantic. So, I shall say: the last judge to grant an application I made. Thank you, Sara Cockerill QC (sitting as a Deputy High Court Judge) for your closely-reasoned judgment.

What's been your proudest professional moment/moment in court? Sitting in the offices of a large bank, waiting for confirmation that $1.5bn had been transferred to our opponent to redeem our client's mortgaged shares in a BVI holding company. Tearing up the share certificates represented the successful culmination of a seven-year battle. The war rages on.

…and worst day on the job? There are bad days, but they soon pass and are forgotten.

What advice would you give to young litigators starting out? Don't feel constrained by hierarchy. No matter how junior you are, look at a matter analytically and strategically. You will soon find yourself to be an invaluable member of the team, regardless of your years of experience.

What's the best/worst thing about being a litigator? The best thing about being a disputes lawyer at White & Case is that I work on an incredible range of fascinating, and often very esoteric, cross-border disputes. I'm lucky: my career has become more and more engaging over time. For that reason, I would also encourage junior lawyers to persevere.

What's the funniest thing you've ever witnessed in court? A seasoned US litigator in the New York District Court being out-flanked by a litigant in person.

How do litigators differ from deal lawyers? I tend to find transactional work more confrontational than disputes work. Litigation is staged warfare.

How much do you conform to the spiky litigator stereotype? I don't. At least, that's what I think.

What's the toughest ethical/moral dilemma your job has ever presented you with? Not applicable. All of my clients are always right.

What most annoys you about the legal profession? It may be trite, but balancing the competing demands of work and family is a constant challenge. There's no magic solution, and I'm sure the same can be said of many rewarding professions.

What's your strongest characteristic…and worst trait? My wonderful wife is better placed to answer this question. She has to deal with the competing demands mentioned above.

What's the worst corporate event you've ever attended? A corporate retreat in Bournemouth. It's previously been mentioned several times in this column.

Most memorable case you ever have worked on and why? The case referred to above. The same colleagues and barristers have worked on it for over 10 years. That says a lot about successful teamwork.

Do you see yourself having a career outside law? Not yet.

What's your favourite TV-depiction of a litigation lawyer? Not a litigation lawyer, but a witness: I once prepared someone to give evidence by having them watch Jack Nicholson's outburst in A Few Good Men.

What's your favourite item of clothing? Despite sharing a surname with Pierre Balmain, those who know me know that I am fashion-blind.

What's your favourite cheese? Any goat's cheese.