Work Life Quiz: Nigel Clark, Minter Ellison

What was your first-ever job?

As a student I was a court coverer at Wimbledon. Best job in the world when it was sunny.

What was your worst ­experience as a trainee?

Having a charge registration form 395 rejected by Companies House and my then partner asking me to draft my resignation ‘or would I f*ck that up too?’ Fortunately it turned out to be an error by Companies House and not me.

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

Behind any closed door.

What time do you usually leave the office?

The physical office as early as possible, the ­virtual office hardly ever.

What do you do at weekends?

Attempt to play and watch as much sport as my six-month-old daughter and her mum will allow. ­Preferably sports in which England beat Australia (given where my partners and staff tend to originate).

What’s your favourite film?

The full-length version of the 2003 Rugby World Cup final.

What’s your favourite ­children’s book?

Fantastic Mr Fox by Roald Dahl.

What car do you drive?

An Audi TT.

What’s your favourite ­restaurant?

Doyles in Sydney.

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

A professional sportsman. Failing that (which I did), a sports journalist.

Who’s your hero and why?

In life, my late father. In sport, Ian Botham and Martin Johnson.

What’s the best thing about your job?

The partners and staff at Minters.

What’s the toughest thing about your job?

Not being able to chase every opportunity.

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

Not being selected to play rugby for England.

I learnt to accept rejection, although I still struggle with it.

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

Acting for the sponsors in 2001 on the buyout of Pacific Brands, as it was the then biggest leveraged buyout ever in Australia.

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

A ball and lager.

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

I get to go to Australia for my partner conferences, so I’m not complaining.

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

About 24 hours.

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

My mates would say Danny DeVito or the guy who played Nick Nack in the Bond movies.

What book are you currently reading?

Andrew Marr’s The ­History of Modern Britain (to patronise the Aussies about history).

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

Ricky Ponting (or David Campese). I suspect no explanation is required.

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

I support Pompey.

I ­support England.

I support Australia.

CV

Name: Nigel Clark

Firm: Minter Ellison

Title: Partner

Lives: Upton Grey, Hampshire

Education:

1992-95: BSc, University of Bristol

1995-96: CPE, University of the West of England

1996-97: LPC, College of Law, Guildford

Work history:

1997-99: Trainee, Wilde Sapte

1999-2001: Banking associate, Denton Wilde Sapte

2001-03: Banking associate, Minter Ellison (Sydney)

2003-08: Senior associate, Minter Ellison (London)

2008-present: Partner, Minter Ellison (London)