The Lawyer Inquiry: Laurence Messer

Laurence Messer was born in Bradford on 27 May 1949. He is a commercial property and planning lawyer and managing partner of Davies Arnold Cooper.



What was your first job?

Working in Leeds market selling carpets for my grandfather.



What was your first ever salary as a lawyer?

£1,100 as an articled clerk with Norton Rose Botterell & Roche.



What would you have done if you hadn't become a lawyer?

A rugby or a cricket broadcaster or a journalist.



Which law could you live without?

Anything to do with VAT on property transactions.



What was your most embarrassing professional moment?

Arriving at a large planning appeal and discovering my counsel had been booked for the wrong day.



What car do you drive?

Mercedes estate.



Which famous person would you like to go out with?

Sandra Bullock.



Where would you go to eat?

The Oxo Tower.



What's the best thing on TV?

They Think It's All Over.



Which movie do you wish you'd appeared in?

Chariots Of Fire.



What's your most often-worn piece of clothing?

My gym trainers.



What book are you reading at the moment?

Band Of Brothers by Frank Keating.



What is your all-time favourite record?

Pretty Woman by Roy Orbison.



What piece of advice would you give to anyone entering the profession now?

Be flexible as it will be a very different business when you leave and choose an area you'll enjoy as you'll spend a lot of time doing it.



What do you like about yourself?

Sense of humour.



What do you hate about yourself?

Penchant for chocolate chip biscuits.



Where would you most like to be right now?

On the beach at Santa Barbara.