Adam Freeman is a leading partner in Linklaters’ upwardly-mobile acquisition finance team
Why did you become a lawyer?
I am one of those weird people who has always wanted to be a lawyer from as far back as I can remember, although I am glad to say that I had no idea what acquisition finance was when I was 10.
Who has been the biggest influence on your career?
John Penson. He was head of acquisition finance at Lovells when I was a trainee and associate at the firm. He had an incredible intellect and was a very kind, caring and considerate man. He took a great deal of time explaining the mysterious worlds of private equity and syndicated lending to me.
What’s your proudest professional moment?
Giving some drafting to John for him to check and him not amending it, although he did describe it as “agricultural but effective”.
…and worst day on the job?
The day John died in February 2000. He was only 44.
Aside from your own firm, which lawyer do you most admire and why?
With so many great lawyers and characters working in acquisition finance it is an invidious task to try and name just one. If I was forced to name people I would say Matthew Cottis at Lovells, Maurice Allen at White & Case and James Johnson at Clifford Chance. As well as being very talented lawyers, they are all great fun to work with, although I have still not forgiven James for dropping a slip catch off my bowling in 1995 when we both played for Dulwich Cricket Club.
What’s your strongest characteristic… and worst trait?
My confidence that things can always be done; and the fact that sometimes that confidence can be misplaced.
How do you think assistants in your team view you?
I hope that they see me as approachable and someone who will always make time to answer their questions and pass on what I know.
What advice would you give to young deal lawyers starting out?
Find a practice area that really fires your enthusiasm. You will be a better lawyer if you have a thirst to understand more about the clients that you serve. And the rather obvious point about attention to detail.
What most annoys you about the legal profession?
Pedantry, pettifoggery and unrealistic deadlines.
What’s your strongest card — technical wizardry or smooth client skills (you can only pick one)?
Technical wizardry obviously!
What will be the most significant market trend in terms of your practice area over the next 12 months?
The number of times people will claim to have done the definitive ‘post-credit crunch’ deal and know what the ‘market standard’ is for key leveraged finance terms and conditions.
How busy is the team post-crunch? Are there lots of well-tanned, relaxed finance lawyers milling around
It is true that the Linklaters’ sun beds are taking a pretty hard hammering at the moment but we are managing to find a fair amount of work to keep us from looking too orange.
What’s the daftest bit of finance jargon you’ve ever heard? And did you smirk?
When someone said on a conference call: “It’s time to go ‘open kimono’ with the other side”. I thought I had mistakenly dialled a premium-rate adult phone line but apparently it means to tell the other side about your stance on a particular issue.
What is the most common misconception trainees have about the firm?
That all of the partners drive a Bentley. In fact only 85% do.
Why should aspiring lawyers join your firm?
We have jelly beans in our meeting rooms.
What would you do if you weren’t a lawyer?
A rugby union prop forward because at age 37 and weighing 18 stone I should be just about coming into my prime.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years’ time?
Hopefully on a golf course in a warm climate losing to my wife and kids because of my ‘swing demons’ from too many years of playing cricket.
What’s your favourite item of clothing?
My lurid pink-and-blue-striped Bunnies Cricket Club blazer. If you are ever in Chipping Norton in late July you will see lots of them because that is where we still tour every year, although the standard of cricket is not what it once was.
What’s your favourite cheese?
Blacksticks Blue, a blue-veined orange cheese from
Dealmaker returns in two weeks.
