Welcome to ILN-terviews, a series of profiles of ILN member firm attorneys, designed to give a unique insight into the lawyers who make up our Network. For our latest interview, we chose ILN member, Charles Wander of our member firm Fladgate LLP in London, England.  

In one sentence, how would you describe your practice?
Advising businesses and their management on strategic and governance issues, as well as their day to day concerns.

Who would be your typical client?
I’ve enjoyed 35 years of not having a typical client. My clients have ranged from institutions such as insurance companies, to entrepreneurs setting up new ventures.

What would you like clients and potential clients to know about you?
That I will work quickly and relentlessly to assist them and to help them achieve their aims.

What has been your most challenging case?
I wouldn’t want to choose one in particular! The challenge is always to achieve what my client wants and needs.

What has been your proudest moment as a lawyer?
There may be an element of the recency effect, but I am proud to have been chosen to lead the firm where I started my law training 35 years ago.

What do you do when you’re not practicing law?
I read voraciously, fiction and non-fiction, and am a news junkie. A little tennis (it gets worse) and even less golf (ditto).

What would surprise people most about you?
Choose from two: I have a (lapsed) pilot’s licence. Before I started my law studies I worked for a bookmakers (as in horses) and trained as a "settler" (the person who calculates the winnings).

What has been your most memorable ILN experience?
Early days, but the Irish band in Lisbon was pretty memorable.

What career would you have chosen if you weren’t a lawyer?
Probably advertising. I interned at an ad agency one summer, and was tempted.

If a movie were made of your life, who would you want to play you?
James Caan (the hair used to be the same).

How would you like to be remembered?
Fondly.