Best brains in...

Risk management in complex commercial contracts - the more unusual the better! I have particular experience in defence procurement and healthcare commissioning services.

Highlight of your career so far?

The highlight of my career so far and the most challenging job I've ever done was acting for the Ministry of Defence (MoD) on the UK's flagship project for the Royal Navy - the £4 billion project to design and manufacture two new aircraft carriers. The MoD piloted an innovative alliance approach, which sees all parties agree to apportion risk and reward to ensure best value for government and profit for industry. The Aircraft Carrier Alliance included the MoD, BAE Systems, VT Group, Babcock and Thales UK.

And looking ahead?

Coming back to the UAE where I spent six years earlier in my career is certainly going to provide me with the fresh opportunities and challenges that I am looking for. Much has changed, but at the same time it feels very familiar.

All my experience from the UAE and the UK will be put to good use to develop our local offering; but still very much as part of the Wragge & Co single team. It is an honour and a privilege to have the opportunity to work with our UAE Chairman and Senior Partner, Mohamed Al Mehairi, a pre-eminent Emirati lawyer. I am learning something new everyday!

What's your definition of going the extra mile... And when have you done it?

Delaying my house move by two weeks to complete a project during one long hot summer - as a result, much of the garden had died by the time we finally moved in!

Give an example of your great client service?

I was advising a client on a contract with one of its major customers. I suggested that it should be seeking to exclude liability for consequential losses, which I knew was becoming standard practice in its industry. The client was nervous of upsetting its customer but we inserted the clause and the customer agreed to it without much of a fight. The customer acknowledged it had become standard practice, but our client had never asked before. It just goes to show - if you don't ask, you don't get.

How do you get under the skin of a client's business?

The short answer is people - we get to know the client really well by a variety of means. We hold networking events for people in certain industries or with interests in common. We try to support the in-house counsel at our clients in any way we can.

For example, we have on several occasions held the fort for an in-house lawyer while they are on holiday and sifted through their in-tray. We deal with matters or allocate matters to others so that when they get back they have a clean desk, not a mountain of paperwork to greet them. That way they have a more relaxing break and we develop a much better understanding of their business. Its win, win.

What's your single greatest contribution to Wragge & Co's corporate responsibility?

Providing a steady source of financial support to those fitter than I who set off on marathons, mountain treks and the like.