Favourite thing(s) about working at D&W:

Since the re-launch of D&W London in June 2002, there has been real investment across the firm to develop and make it a lasting success. The London teams have seen an injection of new blood on a regular basis through strategic and sympathetic hires. From a solid base, the teams have grown and are vibrant with new ideas, skills and work practices. There is a common sense of purpose and of equality of opportunity within a non-hierarchical management structure; everyone is encouraged to play their part. This has led to a hunger for interesting, high profile and cutting edge transactional work. And basically, the London teams are made up of a good bunch of people to work with.

Challenges faced at D&W:

Our main challenge is to consolidate upon the excellent initial development and success of D&W London. We have acted on market leading transactions: the ScottIsh Widows' flagship ISAble tax efficient vehicle using a Delaware LP structures and the Matrix Portfolio No 1 LP fund representing the Bank of Scotland are two examples. These deals, for long standing and prized clients of D&W Scotland, illustrate quality of work usually generated by a well established practice. Building our credentials across the firm's core disciplines UK-wide and developing innovative products and skills sets in the market, should continue to attract industry specialists to complement our teams and the growing confidence of clients in our capabilities.

Aspirations – in and out of the office:

These are genuinely exciting times for D&W. It is all too easy to become intoxicated by opportunities for growth. But growth alone is not successfully achieved either at the expense of any dilution in the quality of service to an existing loyal and important client base or by a failure to integrate lateral hires into the ethos and principles of our practice. I aspire to strengthen the unique aspects of the D&W brand in a UK-wide setting. This takes much time and commitment. We also need therefore to secure a flexibility in our working practices which allows everyone the opportunity for a balance in their work and home lives, an ability to enjoy and excel at work without forsaking family, friends and personal pursuits.

Pearls of wisdom for anyone joining/already a member of the legal profession:

Always put yourself into your client's shoes. Think about what really matters to your client, rather than what really matters to you. But always look around corners or into cupboards to see what may be coming. Don't assume that what you see is what you get; instead think about what is missing and whether you've been distracted from the very thing that may expose your client to risk. Think of yourself as a trusted adviser in a team, so understand the rules, the tactics and get to know the captain. And always do as you would be done unto; whether or not the karmic "what goes around, comes around" is true, it's still a small world.

Most memorable occasion at D&W:

There are a number, but ironically one of the most memorable stretched for over 8 months and involved me spending time away from D&W on full time secondment with British Gas Properties in 1996! The experience took me out of Scotland, to the concrete roundabout jungle of Basingstoke, and was pivotal in my development as a lawyer. It afforded me the opportunity to work alongside a quality in-house legal team, to engage with law firms UK-wide in a range of significant real estate deals and see what it's like to be on the receiving end of legal advice.