Work Life Quiz: Peter Edwards, Capsticks

What was your first-ever job?

Petrol pump attendant.

What was your worst experience as a trainee?

Having to interview a prospective partner lateral hire because my senior partner had decided to leave the office for the day.

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

Caffé Nero across the road.

What time do you usually leave the office?

6.30pm. I’m an early bird and often get into the office before 7am.

What do you do at weekends?

Spend time with my children; take part in triathlons.

What’s your favourite restaurant?

Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons.

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

I always wanted to be a lawyer. Sad, eh?

What is your favourite film?

Reservoir Dogs.

What was the first record you ever bought?

I’m embarrassed to say, Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen.

Who’s your hero and why?

Jane Tomlinson. She put herself through incredible physical hardship to inspire other cancer sufferers to overcome the limitations of their illness, and raised huge amounts of money in the process.

What’s the best thing about your job?

Being able to make a positive contribution to changing the firm’s culture.

What’s the toughest thing about your job?

Juggling so many balls, and having to decide which ones you can let drop.

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

Not a mistake as such but I had to learn to balance all the aspects of my role and life. Nowadays, I make time for managerial duties, building relationships with key clients and influencers, and occasionally going home to my family too.

What car do you drive?

BMW 3 Series Touring.

What book are you currently reading?

Far Horizons by Frank Gardner.

What’s your favourite children’s book?

The Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis.

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

A lot of the cases I’ve worked on have a strong public interest element due to Capsticks’ focus on the health and social care sector. I’m currently working on a case concerning the fluoridation of the water supply in Southampton, which is the first time in a generation that the NHS has proposed fluoridation as a means of improving dental health. This is something I feel strongly about, having benefitted from fluoridated water when growing up.

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

Not much of a luxury, but running shoes and a static bike spring to mind.

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

We’ve usually chosen good locations but I remember one conference in a ­subterranean room at Chelsea Harbour where we didn’t see any natural light for more than 12 hours at a time.

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

Generally my work-life balance has been pretty good, but when my

children were young…

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

I’d love to say Daniel Craig for his rugged good looks and all-action ­persona, but don’t think I’d get away with it.

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

Someone claustrophobic.

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

No.

CV
Name: Peter Edwards
Firm: Capsticks
Title: Senior partner
Lives: Wandsworth Common, London
Education:
1984-87: BA Hons, jurisprudence, University ­College, Oxford
1987-88: Law Society finals, College Of Law, London
Work history:
1988-90: Articled clerk, Capsticks
1990-93: Solicitor, Capsticks
1993-2002: Partner, Capsticks
2002-07: Managing partner, head of employment, Capsticks
2007-present: Senior partner, Capsticks