So what do you know? We ask Sukhbir Mall a director and Insolvency Solicitor at Neil Davies & Partners, what makes him tick.
Your proudest(s) moment in your legal career?
Starting Neil Davies & Partners with my co-director, Neil Davies, and being offered a partnership will always stand out, as will taking on NHS England for a GP client whose contract was terminated and his surgery forced to close. After a formidable fight we managed to overturn NHS England’s decision and the GP got his contract re-instated and he-reopened his busy North London Surgery.
What piece of wisdom would you pass onto a child?
Follow your passion and be truthful to yourself. Don’t let anyone hurt you or let you down. Be a light to yourself.
What is your ambition?
I have always harboured a desire to one day to become a sociology lecturer.
Persons who most influenced your life?
My parents. Their love, guidance and advice in the happiest and darkest of times has been invaluable.
My friend. Harpy – who I shared great times with in London, as we both grew up starting our careers.
What do people get wrong about you?
Not much I hope – You get what you see!
Pet hates?
Deep divisions in society and any form of inequality.
Favourite books
The Lonely Londoners by Sam Selvon and Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri. Great books relating to the straddling identity of immigrants, their experiences and struggles. Enriched with tradition, cuisine and comedy.
Favourite movie?
Forty three years after its release, Deewaar remains for me one of the most captivating movies ever produced. From beginning to end, the movie is pitilessly tense and it gets better each time I watch it, setting the screen alight with rage and powerful dialogue.
TV or Radio?
Radio – Dinner Jazz on Jazz FM and the roots and reggae show on Kiss FM.
Favourite song(s)?
Jealous Guy – sung by John Lennon or Bryan Ferry / Roxy Music
Windmills of your Mind – sung by Noel Harrison
Greatest Invention(s) Ever?
The telephone and fridge – nothing wrong in phoning home and asking dad to put beers in the fridge!
Biggest regret?
None – I try and learn from my mistakes. It makes me who and what I am.
The person from history you would most like to have a pie and pint with?
Jiddu Krishnamurti – simply brilliant and someone who I firmly believe could improve the plight of today’s people.
How would you spend your fantasy 24 hours, with no travel restrictions?
Waking up in McLoed Ganj Himachal to freshly made parathas and spiced tea. Followed by a trip to a book shop in Greenwich Village NYC and an afternoon daiquiri at the El Floridita in Havana. Squeeze in some time for a spiced rum in Martinique. The best journey would then be home for mum’s cooking with friends and family followed by a bacchanal in London with close friends.
