Dealmaker: Mark Stewart

Clifford Chance's Mark Stewart on the changes facing the profession and cringeworthy jargon

What's the closest you have come to doing something other than law? As an associate, I received a job offer from a client to join an oil exploration company in a legal and commercial role. The remuneration package looked good and included a stake in the equity, but while deciding what to do I was told I was going to make partner so declined.

Who has been the biggest influence on your career? Stuart Popham (now senior partner at Clifford Chance). He recruited me in 1986 and I have basically worked either for, or, with him, ever since.

What's your proudest professional moment? It is when you help originate structures and document terms which then go on to become established in the market.

...and worst day on the job? Telling my working group that one of our young, recently married, associates had unexpectedly died.

Aside from your clients, which business figure do you most admire and why? Outgoing M&S boss Sir Stuart Rose: whenever interviewed he always seems straightforward, dynamic and sensible.

What's the worst character trait of the archetype commercial lawyer? Believing in their own self-importance.

Has the recession changed the face of the legal profession? I think it will make the work more interesting as clients are analysing their risk more and are less accepting of historic norms.

To what extent do you think the legal profession needs to change over the next 20 years? I don't think it needs to change fundamentally, but it will need to become increasingly efficient.

What most annoys you about the banking profession? They all seem so young.

What's your strongest card - technical wizardry or smooth client skills? Client skills: technical excellence is the entry card and, after that, it is your interpretation and delivery of the law that differentiates you from the competition.

What's the worst corporate event you've ever attended? None have been particularly bad, but memorable occasions include a client breaking his leg at an army assault course day we arranged, an overly competitive client v Clifford Chance paintballing day and an embarrassing karaoke evening.

Most memorable deal you ever have worked on and why? The MFI acquisition in the late 1980s as it really started the leveraged finance market in Europe.

What is the daftest bit of corporate jargon you've heard? Most of it makes me squirm, but then you start using it! "Ballpark figure", "keep me in the loop" and "seamless service".

What will be the most significant market trend in terms of your practice over the next 12 months? A gradual increase in the availability of credit to stimulate activity.

What's your favourite fictional representation of a lawyer and why? Leo McKern's portrayal of Rumpole: a great dramatic character - humourous and part caricature but, at the same time, making serious points about ethics and civil liberties.

Favourite lawyer joke? How do you stop a lawyer drowning? Take your foot off their head!

Do you consider yourself a risk-taker? What's the biggest risk you have ever taken? No. Like most lawyers I weigh things up before making a decision.

Do you see yourself as managing partner material? Perhaps.

What's your favourite cheese? Cheddar, crumbly and not too strong.

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