William Peake

What was your first job before becoming a Solicitor?

I worked in quite a few clothes shops and restaurants but my best gig without a doubt was working in a jousting tournament in South Carolina called “Medieval Times”. And yes, chainmail is as itchy as it looks.
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Can you tell us about your first case as a Solicitor?

The first one I can remember was part of a large team acting for an Irish billionaire in a property dispute. I have a distinct memory of him showing off his massive TV when we did a tour of the property and he couldn’t change the TV channel from a Tupac Shakur video on MTV. Welcome to the big leagues. It taught me a lot about client management in a very short space of time.
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What’s your favourite spot for a client lunch?

I absolutely love Noble Rot on Lamb's Conduit St. I’m on first names terms with everyone in there (I’m not but it felt like something I should breezily say).
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Why did you choose Harneys?

Superb reputation for complex cross border litigation and that is my specialism. The interview process was so straightforward and they asked me no questions about why I’d had a year out. I was quite a unique proposition in the market at the time as a BVI and Cayman qualified litigator who wanted to work in London. As a result, I’d several options but it was always going to be Harneys if they offered me a position.
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What’s your favourite thing about your firm?

We are innovative and dynamic. Not in the made up sense of both words that everyone throws around with reckless abandon. We really are. It’s a young firm and full of amazing ideas. It’s a real joy being the Global MP being surrounded by such talent. Also, they backed me to be GMP at a relevantly young age and supported me to succeed in the role. Not many firms have that clear intent and vision.
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Could you share an interesting fact(s) about yourself?

I don’t own a TV but I would attend the cinema every night if I could.
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What advice would you give your 15-year-old self?

Don’t join LinkedIn? I’d probably say talk less and listen more as a trainee. I was so keen to impress but I didn’t realise you can do that by exuding poise and calm as much as talking.
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Who has been the most interesting person you’ve represented?

I acted for a Hollywood A-lister and signed an NDA. No matter how much Blue Nun I imbibe I’ll never squeak.
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If you could have any superpower to help you in your job, what would it be and why?

Invisible. Would just be a lot of fun moving staplers around offices.
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How do you see your role evolving over the next 10 years?

I definitely won’t be in the role in 10 years and if I am that’s an abject failure by me. I see myself continuing to promote Harneys and making sure it’s a place that people enjoy working at and a place where others want to join. It’s such a wonderful firm and I want to make sure that anything I promote or oversee is future proofing the firm for another 65 years.
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What’s your secret to arguing like a good lawyer?

Listening. So many lawyers have a cab rank mentality. They’re desperately waiting for the other person to stop talking so they can hit them with an oven ready zinger. Engaging with what’s being said is much more effective.

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The last guest’s question to you: If you weren’t a lawyer, what would you be?

I’d work in Beggars Run as I love clothes.