Christoph Klarmann – Associate

I've been at Freshfields for just under a year and I've already got two desks: one in Dubai and another one with our alliance firm in Riyadh. I spend most of my time in the United Arab Emirates, but, when the work demands it, I can be in Saudi Arabia for up to three months at a time.

During my legal training in Germany, I worked at Freshfields' office in Berlin on an internship. The firm offered me another internship in Dubai and Riyadh and, with my background in Middle Eastern studies, I leaped at the chance. Then, after I qualified, I didn't give a second thought to heading back over to the Gulf states.

I think a certain cultural sensitivity is an asset when working in a multinational environment. Whether you're creating a joint venture between a European company and a Saudi company, or explaining why a client's expectations don't always match what's happening on the ground, it's up to you to reconcile the way different parties approach the matter. I like the challenge of approaching business and legal problems from these different perspectives.

I think of a legal career as being a bit like football - if you want to become one of the best, you've got to train with the best. I'm a junior lawyer at the beginning of my career, with so much still to learn. Working with outstanding associates and partners gives me great opportunities - seeing the skills you need to manage a transaction, as well as the specific legal knowledge. With the atmosphere here, and the team we've got, it is a great place to start and develop my career.