"But, after defeat, you never sleep. You have an internal film that goes through your mind. It’s a sense of anger, humiliation, hate. The next day you have to put that into perspective but every defeat is still a scar on my heart."

One thing I enjoy about litigation is that it is one of very few jobs that allow you to compete for a living. Apart from being a professional sportsperson (for which the barriers to entry are far higher), I can't think of many other professions that regularly pit you against an opponent, in a battle of wits and preparation. It's not for everyone, but it's great for those who enjoy the thrill of competition.

But this is the dark side to litigation - you win some, but you are sure to lose some. There's a precarious balance to be struck. On the one hand, you can't allow defeat to quench the fire in your belly, but on the other hand, losing has to hurt enough, to serve as motivation to do even better the next time round.

The scar tissue never goes away, but it's the price to be paid for staying the course. Treasure your scars and the stories they tell, but focus instead on the battles still to come.