Nigel Knowles, the joint chief executive of DLA Piper, was knighted for services to the legal profession in the New Year’s Honours List. It is the first time in 13 years that a solicitor still in private practice has been honoured in this way.

What has been the reaction to the knighthood — what difference would more legal knights make to the profession?

The reaction has been fantastic — the response from friends and colleagues around the world has been quite overwhelming. Regarding legal knights, it’s not about numbers but about recognising innovation and how that can shape the market.

What was your most memorable experience as a lawyer?

The headline in the Financial Times on November 6, 2004, when we achieved the biggest law firm merger and created what was then DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary with more than 1,000 lawyers on each side of the Atlantic.

What was your worst day as a lawyer?

In Sheffield, as an articled clerk, returning from a completion meeting to find that the client account cheque was unsigned. That taught me the importance of cash collections.

Who has been the most influential person in your life and why?

Professor Sir Roland Smith. He was our first non-executive outside director and I was extremely privileged to have him as my mentor from 1996 until his death in 2003. He had been a member of the Court of the Bank of England, chairman of House of Fraser (in the fight with Tiny Rowland over Harrods), and chairman of Manchester United . He took me under his wing and treated his other mentee, Keith Harris (chairman of Seymour Pierce), and me as the sons he never had.

Why did you become a lawyer?

Studying law as part of my national diploma in business studies attracted me. I went on to take an A level in law and applied to universities to study law. I accepted my only offer — from the University of Sheffield.

What would your advice be to anyone wanting a career in law?

Work hard and see yourself as equally a lawyer and business person. You need to be technically excellent but it is just as important to sell and to understand your clients’ objectives. Be a creative problem-solver and always remember you are just a service provider.

Where do you see yourself in ten years?

If I’m not still with this firm, then involved in all sorts of things — such as work around climate change and sustainability. I’m proud to lead the Legal Sector Alliance on climate change and to be involved with the Prince of Wales’s Rainforest Project. I also hope I will be spending more time with my wife Sally, teaching our two boys to play golf and taking them to see their big sister Rachel on the West End stage: she is at drama school right now.

l_tsang@hotmail.co.uk

Explore Law

• Columnists

• Law Panel

• Law Reports

• Student Law

Times Recommends

• BGC 'set aside £40m to lure Tullett brokers'
• Legal aid review to ensure value
• Fears as 21 magistrates' courts face closure