Freshfields offers me the best of both worlds. It's a large, successful firm involved in high profile transactions that has the feel of a smaller firm because of the support and help available. In the short time I've been at Freshfields, I've experienced some tremendous highs. Being trusted to work on high profile transactions has been very satisfying, as has encountering 'real' teamwork, not just within offices but also between offices.
I took a rather indirect route to Freshfields. I had started a Commerce-Law degree in Sydney and as part of that worked as an accountant in the city. However, I soon realised that career wasn't for me so I moved to London, finished my studies and started my traineeship with Freshfields in 2007.
My last two years with Freshfields have been fantastic. I have worked in a variety of departments on three to six month assignments, which has helped me decide which area I want to specialise in. I particularly enjoyed working in restructuring and insolvency (R&I). At the time I sat in the R&I department, the whole team was involved in interesting and high profile cases, including several that were in the media spotlight - the Icelandic banks, Woolworths and XL. It meant a few late nights but our team spirit really held us together.
That feeling of being part of a close team, not just a nameless individual, has followed me to my current secondment in Dubai. The office here is much newer and smaller, giving me a chance to step up to the level of a junior associate. My current deal - working on a multi-jurisdictional aircraft lease financing has really taken my career to new highs!
Practice area:
Corporate
Education:
GDL and LPC, BPP Law School (UK)
BCom, University of Sydney (Australia)