The work-life quiz: Robert Lee

What was your first-ever job?

Working on a mushroom farm.

What was your worst experience as a trainee?
Being screamed at to ‘shut up’ by a High Court master.

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

Photocopying department.

What time do you usually leave the office?
6.30pm.

What do you do at weekends?
Travel to Devon, especially in the summer to go surfing.

What’s your favourite restaurant?
Number 11 The Quay in Ilfracombe. It’s owned by Damien Hirst.

If you weren’t a lawyer what would you have been?
Professional surfer – I wish.

Who’s your hero and why?
The late Alan Clark for being totally non-PC and not following the herd.

What’s the best thing about your job?
Meeting interesting people and working towards a common goal.

What’s the toughest thing about your job?
Anything to do with HR.

What’s your biggest work/career mistake and what did you learn from it?
Putting off difficult decisions. When running any business, you cannot be everyone’s friend.

What car do you drive?
Porsche 911.

What books are you currently reading?
Alistair Cooke’s American Journey.

What’s on your CD player at the moment?
The Who’s Quadrophenia.

What’s your favourite children’s book?
Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss.

What’s the most exciting deal/case you’ve worked on and why?
Any deal that involves tight deadlines and teamwork. I once had to read and advise on a contract and title in the back of a cab before attending a meeting where the client exchanged contracts.

If you were stranded on a desert island, what two luxury items would you take?
Surfboard and a wind-up radio.

What’s the worst partner conference location you’ve attended?
The office.

What’s the longest you’ve worked without sleep?
36 hours.

Who would you least like to be stuck in a lift with?
Anyone who’s appeared on Big Brother.