Taylor Wessing's real estate head Paul Lawrence has been at the firm for more than two decades and made partner in 2001. Last year, he acted on a financing deal for a proposal to build London's tallest residential skyscraper on the Isle of Dogs. In 2014, he was part of the team that advised on the £700m sale of the Gherkin to Brazilian billionaire Joseph Safra.

Why did you become a lawyer?  As a 16 year-old I was persuaded to spend part of my summer working in a criminal firm in Kilburn High Street. Spending time interviewing clients in the cells at the Old Bailey seemed exciting at that time. In any case, I wasn't up to being a doctor or an accountant so what better profession to enter…

Who has been the biggest influence on your career? My real estate partner  John Whitfield. I started as his trainee 25 years ago and we still work closely together. He is always a strong and useful sounding board.

What's your proudest professional moment?  Completing on the purchase of the corporate vehicles owning the Gherkin (30 St Mary Axe).

… and worst day on the job? As a trainee, I was sent down to West London County Court for a hearing. I thought it rather odd that the other side had both a solicitor and counsel in attendance. Counsel seized on the opportunity to inform the judge that I had no rights of audience. I am no giant and at that point I felt about two feet tall.

Aside from your own firm, which lawyer do you most admire and why? Richard Hermer QC (Matrix Chambers). I have known Richard ever since his days wearing flip flops in the Manchester University Student Union. Married to a close friend of my wife, I am always fascinated by the cases that he gets involved with, particularly in recent years.

What's your strongest characteristic… and worst trait?  People say that my strongest characteristic is that I always look out for clients and that I am commercial as part of that. My worst trait is, I suspect, asking too many questions in one go!

What are the best and worst parts of the job?  The best – having a fantastic team around me and seeing us collectively succeed. The worst – trying to explain to my 92-year-old father that I actually enjoy being busy.

What advice would you give to young lawyers starting out?  Listen and learn from those around you. It still amazes me how different lawyers operate in different ways. There is no magic formula as to what is the 'right way', but there will be a 'right way' for you.

What's the most unusual/shocking request you've ever had from a client?  I have been asked by a client to install a popcorn machine for their next deal – not that shocking really…

What most annoys you about the legal profession?  Lawyers who are uncommercial.

What's the most memorable deal you ever have worked on and why?  Leading the Taylor Wessing team on the purchase of the vehicles owning the Gherkin.  It was very high profile and the largest transaction in the City of London property market in 2014. It was a real team effort and we successfully delivered a transaction for our client in a very short period of time.

What is the daftest bit of corporate jargon you've heard (and did you smirk)?  There are too many daft bits to choose from!

Do you see yourself having a career outside law?  My father-in-law is a fantastic role model. Having retired from Radcliffes several years ago, he is a trustee of many charities, including having been the vice-chairman of Combat Stress. He also, in his seventies, started a career as an academic. Having gained an MA in war studies at Kings College in his late sixties, he now lectures. I can imagine one day following in his footsteps.

What's your favourite item of clothing? My late grandfather's watch.

It's midnight and you're in the office for the night. Where's your takeaway from? Definitely sushi.

What are your desert island discs? Alchemy: Dire Straits Live – it's brilliant and takes me straight back to the 1980s.

What's your favourite box set? With the recent death of Christopher Lee (aka Scaramanga) it has got to be the complete Bond box set. It would keep me entertained for years…