Slaughter and May corporate partner Nigel Boardman

Slaughter and May's Nigel Boardman is the most famous corporate lawyer of his generation. After 46 years of working on many of the U.K.'s most high-profile deals, he retires next month. His clients have included the likes of Shell, Vodafone, BHP Billiton, Reuters, Marks & Spencer, Walmart, Standard Chartered, BAE Systems, Onex, Cable & Wireless, Tomkins, the Rugby Football Union and his beloved Arsenal FC.

He talks to Legal Week about his retirement aims, his proudest professional moment, the most innovative thing in law, and getting remarried.

What do you hope to do when you retire?

As a transactional lawyer you do not have control over your timetable or free time. At any moment you can be called on to get on a plane or a phonecall. I'm looking forward to having more control over my time in the future, which will enable me to plan a broader range of activities than is possible when transactions predominate.

What's your proudest professional moment?

Being involved in the recapitalisation of the banking system in the financial crisis.

What's the worst thing that's happened to you while on the job?

As a young and impecunious lawyer (in those days that was a reality), I was wearing an old suit and the trousers split on my way to a meeting. I had to borrow a stapler to repair the damage –  and sit very still throughout the meeting.

What has been the standout deal you've advised on in the last year and why?

Getting married.

What advice would you give to young lawyers starting out?

Volunteer for everything.

"London's financial markets are strong enough to survive the soap opera of Brexit – but it will do some damage"

What are the best and worst things about your job?

Best, working with clients who are world class in their fields and as human beings.

Worst, answering questions from journalists.

How do you expect London to fare as a financial centre in the years following Brexit?

London's financial markets are strong enough to survive the soap opera of Brexit – but it will do some damage.

What's the most outdated thing you've experienced in the industry?

The conveyancing process for real property – every other country seems to have an efficient, sensible system and we have an archaic nonsense.

… and the most innovative?

The use of AI in due diligence.

How many all-nighters do you tend to do per year?

As few as possible.

Have you ever broken the law?

I have had the occasional speeding ticket.

"Every other country seems to have an efficient, sensible system [for property conveyancing] and we have an archaic nonsense"

Why did you become a lawyer?

My father was a country solicitor and I liked the way his clients were always grateful and relieved by his help and advice; it made it clear to me it was a worthwhile profession.

Have you ever regretted the decision?

When I was a couple of years qualified I left and became an investment banker, because I felt being a lawyer was not adding a great deal of value to my clients. I then realised it was my lack of expertise and experience, rather than my profession, which made me less useful – and scurried back to the safety of the law.

Who has been the biggest influence on your career?

There are a large number of people – my parents; former partners at Slaughter and May like Derek Simon, Nick Wilson and Simon Ward; David Clementi, who had the misfortune to be my boss when I made my foray into investment banking; and many clients who shaped the way I think and work.