Work Life Quiz: Simon Jackson, Shulmans

What was your worst ­experience as a trainee?

I was sent to South Milford Police Station in the early hours of the morning to represent two members of the National Association of Colliery Overmen, Deputies and Shotfirers, advising them to rely on their right of silence while having to deal with some hostility from the local police.

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

I haven’t found it… yet.

What time do you usually leave the office?

Just before 7pm.

What do you do at the ­weekend?

I spend a lot of time with my family and, when not with them, I usually play a round of golf at Moor Allerton Golf Club.

What’s your favourite ­restaurant?

I don’t have a particular favourite, but it would have to be an Italian restaurant.

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

No idea, but if pushed I would probably say a property investor or developer.

What’s your favourite film?

Midnight Express.

What was the first record you ever bought?

I’m sad to say it, but the first record I bought was Two Little Boys by Rolf Harris.

Who’s your hero and why?

I don’t really have one, although there are many people I admire; it is often those with an illness or ­disability who go about their normal dailyroutines without fuss or complaint.

What’s the best thing about your job?

I get the opportunity to work with great people in comfortable surroundings on matters that challenge my abilities either from an intellectual, commercial or management point of view.

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

It was thinking I would make it as an accountant until I failed statistics at university.

What car do you drive?

A Jaguar XF.

What book are you reading?

Primo Levi: Tragedy of an Optimist by Myriam ­Anissimov.

What’s your favourite ­children’s book?

Smile, Crocodile, Smile by An Vrombaut.

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

Many years ago I single-handedly dealt with the acquisition of 28 petrol-filling stations in a complex tripartite agreement where no money was passing hands. That in itself was ­challenging, but it was ­further complicated when, halfway through, my client sold on 18 of the
22 ­properties it was acquiring to a third party.

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

A fully fuelled helicopter and a pilot.

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

Not that long. I’m useless without sleep and not much better with.

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

My team is extremely ­supportive; most of my partners like me; I’m a good golfer.

CV

Name: Simon Jackson
Firm: Shulmans
Title: Partner and head of commercial property
Lives: Leeds
Education:

1982-85: University of Leeds
1971-81: Leeds Grammar School

Work history:

1986-88: Trainee, Sorkin Lester
1988-92: Assistant solicitor, ­Shulmans
1992-present: Partner and head of ­commercial property, ­Shulmans