Can you briefly tell us a little about your background before starting with the firm?
Prior to completing my law degree in the United Kingdom, I studied Pharmacology at King's College London and worked as a research assistant for a pharmaceutical firm in Germany. In London, I completed a vacation scheme at Arnold & Porter and worked as a litigation and dispute resolution paralegal at Skadden and Hogan Lovells, where I had the opportunity to develop my legal knowledge and skills. In 2016, I moved to Australia to study my LLM at the University of Sydney, specialising in international business law. Following my postgraduate studies, I passed the LPAB exams to satisfy the academic requirements for admission in NSW since I qualified overseas and was admitted as a lawyer of the Supreme Court of NSW in 2020. I joined Clifford Chance in Sydney as a litigation paralegal in March 2020 before applying for a graduate role.
What does a typical day look like for you?
It is difficult to describe a "typical" day at work, since it will vary depending on your seat, as well as the matters that you are assisting with, and even tasks you are assigned. However, using my Antitrust seat as an example, I generally wake up early to go to the gym in the morning. I then get ready in the office (our Sydney office has fantastic facilities) and eat breakfast at my desk whilst checking my emails to see if there are any requests that came overnight from clients overseas or other offices. After replying to urgent emails and preparing my "to do list", I then usually grab coffee with other graduates and associates in our breakout area. Before lunch, I assist with researching antitrust laws, preparing briefing materials for local counsel, drafting RFIs and client updates, analysing data and regulatory decisions, and preparing materials for regulators. In the afternoon, I generally attend internal meetings to discuss workstreams, progress and matter management, and client meetings to discuss advice and strategy, where I take notes. During the day, I also attend training session and talks, and participate in the events organised by our affinity groups including ARCUS and Accelerate>>>. Before heading home, I check my diary to plan for the next day in case there are meetings scheduled early. On Fridays, I also join the weekly drinks in the office after work to catch up with colleagues.
What initially attracted you to Clifford Chance (CC)?
I was attracted to Clifford Chance because of its reputation as one of the world's leading international firms and part of the Magic Circle in London. I knew that joining Clifford Chance would allow me to work with market-leading clients on complex cross-border deals that make global headlines. I always wanted to develop my legal career internationally, and what was particularly attractive about Clifford Chance's graduate program was that graduates are offered a 6-month international secondment to one of the 36 offices in its global network. I was also impressed by the firm's outstanding work in progressing inclusion and diversity.
How did you know you wanted to be a lawyer? (or maybe you didn't?)
Whilst working a research assistant for a pharmaceutical firm in Germany, I spent two weeks in the regulatory department where I had the chance to assist with the regulatory work associated with the development through to commercialisation of drugs. Observing and learning how lawyers navigated through and managed the complex, multi-jurisdictional approval processes really sparked my interest in pursuing my legal career. Therefore, I decided to go back to university in London and completed my LLB. Although a complete career change, it was the best decision that I made.
How did you find the application process for the firm? Anything stand out from your interviews?
The application process was transparent and structured. First, I had to submit an online application, attaching my CV, cover letter and answering a short question. The second stage consisted of two interviews with senior lawyers during which we discussed my background and experience. I was also asked situational and commercial awareness questions, so make sure that you stay on top of business news. The final interview was a case study, where I had to read a client file and prepare a 10-minute presentation to three partners. Clifford Chance conducts "blind" interviews, which felt like a conversation rather than being grilled.
What set Clifford Chance apart from the other firms you clerked with?
There are four main things that set Clifford Chance apart from other firms. First, Clifford Chance is a global firm with outstanding reputation and market-leading work, which allows its graduates to get exposure to multi-jurisdictional matters involving high-profile clients early in their careers – and that was clear from the beginning. Second, it is the culture. I found everyone friendly and relaxed, and was particularly impressed by the lack of hierarchical structure and the open-door policy – I felt that I could speak to anyone in the firm, regardless of their role, about work related and personal issues. Third, Clifford Chance provides world-class training, support, development and international secondment opportunities for graduates. For example, graduates spend two weeks in Hong Kong before starting their first seat in Sydney for induction training and are offered an international secondment for one of their rotations in one of the firm's 31 offices. Finally, it was apparent that Clifford Chance’s core value is inclusion and I have been impressed by the firm’s work in progressing diversity and equality.
What's the coolest thing about your job?
Clifford Chance is a truly global law firm and from my very first seat I was engaged in a diverse range of work, including advising top-tier domestic and international clients on complex disputes, multi-jurisdictional matters and cross-border deals, often collaborating with colleagues from other offices in the global network. Not only every day at work is different, but also all the matters I worked on were newsworthy – it is very rewarding to read the Financial Times or watch the news and see that the deal you were involved in is featured in the media.
What are the limitations of your job?
Working for an international law firm means that on occasion you have to work longer or irregular hours to attend calls with clients or counsel in different time zones and meet strict deadlines. For example, in the lead up to a trial, a filing deadline or an M&A closing, you may need to stay in the office late, and plan activities to fit with your work or sometimes reschedule your plans at the last minute. This of course is not unique to Clifford Chance but something to bear in mind when considering joining a global law firm.
What qualities do you see in your peers and colleagues?
My peers and colleagues are intellectually inquisitive, possess a strong worth ethic, and demonstrate interest in the international commercial landscape. I can honestly say that everyone across the firm that I work with, both in Australia and overseas, is very friendly, approachable and supportive – I feel that I can speak to anyone in the firm, regardless of their position, about work related and personal issues.
What seats have you done during your Graduate Program? Can you tell us a little about each of them?
My first seat was in Litigation & Dispute Resolution (L&DR), where I assisted with all aspect of trial preparation which culminated in attending a 6-week trial in the Supreme Court of New South Wales. Although a steep learning curve, it was a fantastic experience to get firsthand exposure to complex litigation and be involved not just in document review and document management, but also attending witness interviews, drafting affidavits, preparing expert briefing materials and hearing bundles. In L&DR, I also had the opportunity to work on arbitration matters and attend virtual hearings.
My second seat was in Antitrust, where I was mainly involved in a multijurisdictional matter providing antitrust advice to two global airlines in relation to a joint business arrangement. Given the international scope of the deal, I worked closely with various offices across the global region, including Brussels and Madrid, which allowed me to collaborate with colleagues in other offices early in my career.
As a result of engaging with our colleagues in Belgium on the airline deal, for my third seat I am now completing my international secondment in the antitrust team in Brussels where I am working on EU merger control matters – a great example of international opportunities available to graduate lawyers across Clifford Chance's global network.
Can you tell us a little about your experiences regarding responsible business and/or diversity at Clifford Chance?
Clifford Chance sees inclusion as an intrinsic value of the firm and creates space for and encourages graduates and junior lawyers to be directly involved and take active roles in its diversity, inclusion and responsible business initiatives. As a member of the LGBTQ+ Arcus steering committee, I am assisting with driving cultural change to create a more inclusive working environment. For example, I presented at the Pride in Practice Conference discussing the changing expectations of young people in the sphere of the diversity and inclusion in the legal profession. I also moderated the roundtable panel discussion with Clifford Chance lawyers during "ACCEPT", a graduate recruitment event specifically targeted at LGBTQ+ identifying individuals and allies. I also assisted with organising the annual Pride Art event in Sydney. Most recently, the Sydney office had the privilege of displaying the Amsterdam Rainbow Dress and hosted a discussion about the role of diversity and inclusion in Clifford Chance's global strategy, including its commitment to global and regional LGBTQ+ targets. The efforts of the Arcus committee resulted in Clifford Chance Sydney’s numerous awards for inclusion, including the recognition as AWEI "Gold" employer for two consecutive years.
In addition to Arcus, Clifford Chance has the following affinity groups:
I am also involved in pro bono matters and participate in Clifford Chance fundraising and sporting events, including City2Surf.
3 pieces of advice for yourself when you were a student...
Top tip for someone looking to get into law?
If you are really passionate about pursuing a career in law, then go for it! From my experience, it is never too late to complete your law degree and there are many different paths to qualifying as a solicitor. Whilst at university, try to get some work experience (e.g. as a paralegal), assist with providing pro bono advice or volunteer at your local Community Legal Centre. This will not only allow you to put your legal knowledge into practice but will also strengthen your CV and provide you with much better chances of securing a graduate role