Bankim Thanki QC, Fountain CourtName: Bankim Thanki QC

Position: Barrister

Chambers: Fountain Court Chambers

Trained at: Fountain Court Chambers

In Hot 100 for: Leading roles in some of the biggest cases of 2017. Read his full Hot 100 profile.

What’s your most vivid memory from being a pupil?

Being asked to work for the then Head of Chambers at Fountain Court, the legendary Conrad Dehn QC, which was a terrifying prospect for a pupil (in reality he was a very charming man, though a hard taskmaster).  The work must have been okay as I was later brought in as his junior on the same matter when I became a tenant at Fountain Court. 

Who has been the most influential person in your career? Why, and how have they helped you? 

Two people, by the examples they set.  They are my principal pupil masters, the late Trevor Philipson and Michael Brindle.  Trevor was one of the most stylish advocates I have ever seen and Michael is the complete barrister, who probably led me the most in my junior career.

What was the best career decision you ever made, and why?

Joining Fountain Court.  Apart from being a genuinely elite institution (in the best sense of the word), I could not imagine a better place to work — alongside such wonderful friends and colleagues and looked after by some of the best clerks at the Bar.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to get to where you are/do the job you do?

Any sort of career trajectory at the Bar is impossible to plan.  I would study the subject you love the most at university, without any preconceptions, and decide on the career that is right for you later.

What work or career-related project or activity would you really like to do, but don’t have time for?

There is no work or career-related activity I would really like more time to do.  If I had more time, I’d take more holidays with my family!