Ed read modern languages (German and Spanish) at Trinity Hall, Cambridge University
I thought that working in the foreign office would be a good career choice
It would certainly be international, which was important to me. But I thought that as a lawyer with an international law firm you might have more say as to where you end up.
So I signed up to join the college law society
There were several events hosted by the magic circle firms. I just remember that Freshfields stood out head and shoulders above the others. Freshfields also suggested that we should go down to London for the day to see their office and gain a sense of the work that we might do. I followed an associate around who explained the work that she was doing for a (huge) household name. This was for me.
Dragons' Den it isn't
The interview for a training contract was disconcertingly friendly. The written exercise was straightforward and my interview about a case study (to see if I had the all-important commercial instinct that the firm needs from its lawyers) was great, it was a really interesting discussion.
I'm a bit of a glutton for punishment
I enjoyed the GDL work and when it finished I went on to study a few more modules in company law and IP, and gained a full LLB. Doing the accelerated LPC in just six months was great because it meant that I had six months before my contract began to visit South America and spend two months in Mexico, which was the country I went to for my year abroad during my degree.
My training contract began in February 2011
I started in corporate. I was surprised that I had work to do from day one. I thought I'd just be sitting in meetings and listening. But no, I got stuck in straightaway. The work is also more varied than I thought: proof reading, transaction management, and organising signings. Basically you're a hub for all the documents. This is better than it sounds because you get to know everyone really quickly and, other than the lead partner, you are the only one with an overview of the deal. So you become the 'go to' person. I also do some drafting. Sometimes this is a minor amendment but as I gain in confidence, I sometimes get given the first crack at a more major revision.
The hours can be long, but you deal with it
At law school we were warned that once in the workplace, we'd never get a pat on the back. I'm delighted to say that they were wrong, we do.
We also get some incredible extra-curricular opportunities
Because the firm is a provider to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, we took part in a brilliant volleyball tournament. First we had an internal tournament, where some of the Paralympic Team GB athletes came over and coached us in a sitting-down match. They won of course. Then a few of us trained hard to compete in a tournament with LOCOG and some of the other sponsors. The top four teams from this tournament got to play in a final in Trafalgar Square. Alas, we missed out to another sponsor by one point.
Next stop is finance
I've only just started with the banking team and I'm relieved that, though there are numbers involved, it's maths I understand and can do.
After this I'm hoping for a seat with the restructuring and insolvency team, followed by three months with the antitrust, competition and trade lawyers.
