Name: Nick Fitzpatrick
Organisation: DLA Piper
Based: London
Role: Partner and global co-chair of media, sport and entertainment sector
Trained at: Denton Hall
Year qualified: 1990
What’s your most vivid memory from being a trainee?
I was called on to attend the studio of a very well-known artist to oversee the attendance of their former partner to pick up personal possessions after a messy break up. As you can imagine the person concerned was less than happy with the whole arrangement (to say the least) and the artist was also suffering, as artists do.
It was pretty stressful for all concerned – an early lesson in mediation, or crisis management, or something.
What is the thing in your professional career that has terrified you or taken you out of your comfort zone the most?
Possibly the situation I just mentioned. I was also once sent on mini-secondment as a very junior lawyer to run a major corporate acquisition for a client – which was tricky because I am not a corporate lawyer! It was 24/7 and very stressful. Particularly because I couldn’t even properly work their IT and secretarial cover was a distant memory.
I won’t mention names but it was at an organisation and for individuals not renowned for their interpersonal skills.
What is the wisest thing anyone ever said to you (and who said it)?
“Don’t write anything you wouldn’t be happy to have read back to you in court.” My old boss Adrian Barr Smith.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to get to where you are/do the job you do?
Don’t settle.
What’s your best friend from law school doing now?
I’ve never really hung around with lawyers I am afraid.
