Work Life Quiz: Andrea Carta Mantiglia, Bonelli Erede Pappalardo

What was your worst experience as a trainee?

My boss had an accident and I found myself alone at a client meeting without even knowing the subject matter.

What do you do at weekends?

It depends on the season but mostly skiing or relaxing at my retreat in the country.

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

A diplomat or a journalist.

What’s your favourite film?

The Blues Brothers.

What was the first record you ever bought?

Ummagumma by Pink Floyd.

Who’s your hero and why?

Joe Strummer. He remained humble notwithstanding his enormous influence on rock music.

What’s the best thing about your job?

Dealing with a range of industries: you may start your day with fashion, turn to the biotech sector in the afternoon and end up with energy in the evening - you never stop learning.

What’s the toughest thing about your job?

Taking the counterparty step by step to just where you want them to land in a negotiation.

What car do you drive?

Porsche Carrera 4S.

What book are you reading?

Juliet, Naked by Nick Hornby.

What’s your favourite children’s book?

The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling.

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

The public takeover of US corporation Gtech by Lottomatica because it gave me the chance to lead a large team of lawyers from several jurisdictions.

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

My stereo and my Porsche.

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

The only one I attended was in picturesque Sardinia.

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

Sigmund Freud - he’d scan what’s on my mind.

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

I believe that honesty, integrity and hard work pay off; I love my daughter; I hate rock ‘n’ roll.