Banking partner Laurie Keel recently advised Innovative Bites, an importer of American food products, on its acquisition of UK wholesale sweets supplier Hancocks from H2 Equity Partners and its managers. Keel is the relationship partner for Innovative Bites and led a team on the deal that included corporate partners Andrew Rosling and William James.

What stood out about this deal? A refreshingly consensual transaction between two highly impressive management teams who were aligned in terms of seeing the business rationale for doing the deal. This gave rise to a completion meeting buzzing with genuine excitement about the future, and lots of Addleshaws Premier Cru.

Why did you become a lawyer? The unintended consequence of deciding that I fancied another couple of years not having to work, and law school in Nottingham sounded like fun. It turned out to be expensive fun, which necessitated a training contract, and that's how I became trapped….

Who has been the biggest influence on your career? My mum. And [pensions and employment partner] Philip Bennett at Slaughter and May. As a first-seat trainee, I was terrified by him but he was one hell of a lawyer and taught me that no one is born to do this – I remember him telling me (shortly after affording me a three out of 10 end-of-seat rating) that you meet very few geniuses, there's no substitute for doing the hard graft and if you do, it always pays off. That stuck with me because it's true.

What's your proudest professional moment? Calls from clients congratulating me on partnership and saying it was well deserved. It means more when it comes from those who pay for your advice.

…and worst day on the job? I've had two stints in Paris on secondment. The first time, as a trainee, I arrived on a questionable claim that I was 'almost fluent' in French. The difference between having an A level in French and being fluent soon became clear to me (and everyone else) when I was asked to host a restructuring call on the basis that the documents were under English law. The call was entirely in French. They largely left me alone after that, which ensured I had plenty of time to become 'almost fluent' in French.

Aside from your own firm, which lawyer do you most admire and why? Both [corporate partner] Stuart Brinkworth at Fried Frank and [corporate partner] Peter Crichton at McDermott Will and Emery set a great example in seeing the wood for the trees and, while being technically very good, recognise that clients want to do deals and it shouldn't be all about the lawyers.

What's your strongest characteristic…and worst trait? High standards… and high standards.

What advice would you give to young deal lawyers starting out? Get experience on as many deals as you can. You can only learn by doing. But, having said that, try to avoid feeling guilty about enjoying the inevitable downtime that comes with being a transactional lawyer – at AG we try to discourage people being at their desks unless they have to be.

What's the best part of your job? Enjoying a completion lunch with a happy client and a team that has really grafted.

What most annoys you about the legal profession? The lack of face-to-face meetings – I genuinely feel that they are so much more productive and actually save time.

What's the most unusual/shocking request you've ever had from a client? Working on a Lebanese/Saudi/Jordanian deal, a request for an all-day call on 'Tuesday', Tuesday being Christmas Day. That wasn't much fun.

Most memorable deal you ever have worked on and why? Advising the board of Liverpool Football Club on financing aspects related to the disputed sale of the Club to its current owners. The politics behind the 'injunction tennis' in the Dallas and London courts was fascinating, and the subsequent Sky Sports News conference is probably the most exciting thing that has ever happened in a law firm staff lobby.

What is the daftest bit of corporate jargon you've heard (and did you smirk)? I can't stand 'it is my understanding that'. It's a surefire sign that you don't actually understand at all and are just trying to cover your backside. And no, it doesn't make me smirk.

Do you see yourself having a career outside law? Unfortunately England Rugby are pretty well catered for when it comes to fly halves, and certainly don't need one who couldn't now even scrape into the village sixth team, so I think I'll stay where I am.

What's your favourite item of clothing? My Ray-Bans because if I'm wearing them it usually means I'm out in the sun with my two daughters.

It's midnight and you're in the office for the night, where's your takeaway from? I'm far too partial to a chicken katsu curry from Wasabi.

What are your desert island discs? Fleetwood Mac, Bruce Springsteen, and some 90s trance for old times' sake.

Favourite box set? Mad Men.

What's your favourite cheese? A whole cheeseboard to share. An essential end to a civilised dinner.