If you weren’t a lawyer, what would you have been?
A ladies’ hairdresser.
What was your first-ever job?
A morning paper round.
What was your worst experience as a trainee?
I don’t know about worst, but the most embarrassing was setting off the County Court metal detectors in Leeds with a pocketful of fireworks I’d forgotten about from a bonfire night party the night before. It took some explaining to the several security guards who had pinned me down.
Where’s the best place to go if you want to find out what’s really going on in the office?
Without any doubt whatsoever, the post room.
What time do you usually leave the office?
Between 6.15pm and 6.45pm.
What do you do at weekends?
Spend time with my family, followed by golf.
What’s your favourite restaurant?
The Ocean Club, Scottsdale, Arizona.
If you weren’t a lawyer, what would you have been?
A ladies’ hairdresser.
What is your favourite film?
Midnight Sting – a film not many people know about but everyone should see.
What was the first record you ever bought?
Since You’ve Been Gone by Rainbow.
Who’s your hero and why?
Admiral Lord Nelson for the personal sacrifices he made for his country.
What’s the best thing about your job?
Responsibility.
What’s your biggest work/ career mistake and what did you learn from it?
I took a job (with some kudos) following some loose promises and big hype – I thought it would lead to happiness but it was hell. With hindsight, loyalty would have been a far better bedfellow.
What car do you drive?
Saab 95 Estate.
What book are you reading?
Trafalgar: A Biography of a Battle by Roy Adkins.
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?
Always the current one.
If you were stranded on a desert island what two luxury items would you take?
If my family were already safe, my 52-degree wedge and a golf ball.
What’s the worst partner conference location you’ve attended and why?
I’ve never been on one, so the next one will be.
What’s the longest you’ve worked without sleep?
Three days – I started having hallucinations and sang Liza Minnelli songs out loud.
If a movie was being made about your life, which actor would play you and why?
Russell Crowe because he’s strangely attractive for one not blessed with good looks.
Who would you least like to be stuck in a lift with and why?
A suicide bomber.
Tell us two truths and one myth about yourself.
I made the finals of Masterchef; I was an extra in a James Bond movie; I was woken by the King of Sweden standing by my bedside in total darkness asking if I was awake.
CV
Name: Richard Larking
Firm: Ashton Morton Slack
Title: Partner
Lives: Wetherby, West Yorkshire
Education:
1979 – 83: King Edward VII School, Sheffield
1992-96: LLB, University of Sheffield and State University of New York
1996-98: LPC, Sheffield University Law School
Work history:
1983-90: Royal Navy
1998-03: Trainee solicitor, Eversheds
2003-04: In-house legal counsel, O2 (UK)
2004-08: Associate, Walker Morris
2008 – present: Partner, head of commercial property, Ashton Morton Slack
