Work Life Quiz: Nicole Paradise, Nabarro

What was your first-ever job?

Sales assistant in Sacha shoe shop, King’s Road.

What was your worst ­experience as a trainee?

Being followed by a private detective hired by the wife of the firm’s client, who thought I was the other woman in his divorce. I have not done matrimonial work since.

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

Not where but who – Mo in accounts.

What time do you usually leave the office?

6.30-7pm unless I have an evening function.

What do you do at weekends?

Spend time with my family doing as little as possible.

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

A book publisher.

What’s your favourite film?

I have two favourites, both of which remind me of the times when I saw them: That Obscure Object of Desire by Luis Bunuel and Grease.

What was the first record you ever bought?

Bridge over Troubled Water by Simon and Garfunkel.

Who’s your hero and why?

My dad, for obvious ­reasons.

What’s the best thing about your job?

The people.

What’s the toughest thing about your job?

The people.

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

Moving to a firm because I liked the people only for it to dissolve six months later.

I’ve tried to be more objective in career ­decisions since then.

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

I think probably the libel work Nabarro did for Michael Barrymore in the mid-1990s because he was such an interesting ­character to work with and everything he did was so high-profile.

What car do you drive?

A black convertible Mini Cooper.

What book are you currently reading?

Ordinary Thunderstorms by William Boyd.

What’s your favourite ­children’s book?

Wonderful Earth by Nick Butterworth and Mick Inkpen.

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

Hair straighteners and a power shower.

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

So many to choose from.

I think it has to be the accountant training centre closely followed

by the Hilton Hotel at ­Terminal Four.

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

As a litigator I haven’t worked any all-nighters but I have done many 18-hour days.

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

Glenn Close, provided she brings her wardrobe from Damages.

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

At the moment any ­politician as it would be bad for my blood pressure.

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

I religiously watch ­Coronation Street. I have worked as a hamburger waitress. I support Chelsea.

CV

Name: Nicole Paradise

Title: Managing partner

Firm: Nabarro

Lives: Chelsea

Education:

1976-79: LLB, Queen Mary College, University of London

1980-81: College of Law, Lancaster Gate

Work history:

1981-83: Trainee, Blacket Gill & Swain

1984-88: Litigation associate, Herbert Smith

1988: Oppenheimers

1989-90: Litigation associate, Nabarro

1990-99: Partner, Nabarro

1999-present: Managing partner, Nabarro