James Fry

What was your worst ­experience as a trainee?

During my litigation seat, applications in front of grumpy masters in the High Court were always a bit nerve-racking.

Where’s the best place to go if you want to find out what’s really going on in the office?

Accounts departments in any firm tend to be in the know.

What time do you usually leave the office?

Around 7pm.

What do you do at weekends?

Catch up with friends and play sport.

What’s your favourite ­restaurant?

The Oak in Notting Hill.

If you weren’t a lawyer what would you have been?

I considered going into shipbroking while I was at university, but was ­persuaded by a number of shipbrokers that law would be a better option for me.

What’s your favourite film?

Where Eagles Dare.

What was the first record you ever bought?

Something by Adam and the Ants.

Who’s your hero and why?

Rugby player Martin Johnson (in his playing days). He was a giant of a man in every sense of the word.

What’s the best thing about your job?

Happy clients.

What’s the toughest thing about your job?

Making clients happy.

What’s your biggest work/career mistake and what did you learn from it?

Complacency - it’s true that you’re only as good as your last deal.

What car do you drive?

An ageing Porsche 911.

What book are you currently reading?

Open - Andre Agassi’s autobiography.

What’s your favourite ­children’s book?

I used to like the Famous Five series by Enid Blyton.

What’s the most exciting deal/case you’ve worked on and why?

I’ve acquired a number of sites for Academy Music Group and it’s always been satisfying seeing tired, old clubs or theatres beingtransformed into stunning, state-of-the-art live music venues.

If you were stranded on a desert island what two luxury items would you take?

A fridge of ice-cold beer and a flare gun.

What’s the worst partner ­conference location you’ve attended and why?

I’ve only been to one, which was held at Brocket Hall in Hertfordshire. It was really rather pleasant to be honest.

What’s the longest you’ve worked without sleep?

I had a few 2am finishes as a corporate trainee, but nothing major.

If a movie was being made about your life, which actor would play you and why?

A secretary in a previous firm swore I looked like a young Richard Gere, probably on account of my increasingly greying locks.

Who would you least like to be stuck in a lift with and why?

A psychopath who ­happens to have really bad breath.

Tell us two truths and one lie about yourself (in any order)

I’m related to Elizabeth Fry, the lady on the back of the £5 note; I’m a ­five-handicap golfer; I play drums in a rock ’n’ roll band.

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CV

Name: James Fry

Firm: Fladgate

Title: Partner, commercial property ­department

Lives: Notting Hill, London

Education:

1993-96: LLB, Newcastle University
1996-97: LPC, College of Law, York

Work history:

1997-99: Trainee, Andersen Legal
1999-2002: Assistant, Andersen Legal
2002-06: Assistant, Finers Stephens Innocent
2006-09: Partner, Finers
2009-present: Partner, Fladgate