On the Spot with Karen James

Selling fruit and veg in a corner shop on a Saturday morning. All my wages used to go on buying lychees.

If you weren't in your present job, what would you like to do?

I am very lucky to say that I love my job with a passion and it is very difficult to imagine doing anything else. I suppose anything that would involve travelling to far and distant exotic places would be my ideal.

What was your worst mistake?

There have been so many, it's hard to choose the worst. I am pleased to say, however, that I have learnt from most of them.

What is your ideal day away from the office?

Spending the day at a theme park with my son. We both love extreme thrill rides.

Name one person you would like to have dinner with and why?

George Clooney, Mel Gibson, Courtney Walsh, Ryan Giggs, any bloke from any Gillette advert, all for very obvious reasons.

What was your best subject at school?

Psychology. I have always enjoyed people watching. It's the only thing that keeps me sane on my rare visits to hairdressers.

What are your hobbies?

I am a voracious reader with a terrible habit of reading through the night if it's an enjoyable book.

What would you do if you won the Lotto?

Nothing different to what I do now except maybe go on every British Lions tour.

What is your top time-saving tip?

Lists! I can't survive without them. They help me organise, prioritise and structure the day ahead. There's nothing more gratifying than a list with everything crossed out.

What is your favourite time of day?

My son's bedtime. We catch up on all that has happened during the day.

What is the best thing about Yorkshire?

Yorkshire County Cricket Club. I love spending the day at Headingley in glorious sunshine supping Tetley Bitter (I suppose that the second best thing about Yorkshire).

What would your epitaph be?

She came, she saw, she did her best.

Karen James, partner and head of residential conveyancing at Ramsdens Solicitors, Huddersfield.