Position: Trainee
Education: Law, University of Durham; LPC, College of Law Moorgate
Joined Clifford Chance: 2008
Trainee including a 6 month secondment to Barclays Bank PLC: 2008-2010

Clifford Chance was the right choice for me because of its international focus. Having previously lived in China, Russia and Australia, it was important that I work at a firm with global reach and an excellent global brand. 

This international focus is reflected in the work - nearly all of the matters I have worked on have had a cross-border element. For example, when working in the private equity group I assisted on the offer by Suntory, the Japanese-based alcohol and beverage company, to acquire the European drinks manufacturer Orangina Schweppes Group from Lion Capital and Blackstone.

My day-to-day role on the transaction was mixed, combining transaction management, client contact, drafting and due diligence. In particular we had to manage and co-ordinate local counsel who were based in 6 different European jurisdictions. This was a great transaction to be involved with – as with most of the matters the firm acts on it was high profile and a strategically important step for our client.

I especially enjoyed the drafting element of the job. Even though transactional work requires less traditional legal analysis, if you are drafting a document you have to think about the different factors that affect the client, and apply what you've learned. It is not unusual for trainees to be asked to prepare the first draft of certain documents such as confidentiality agreements.

I spent 6 months on secondment to the Group General Counsel’s Office at Barclays Bank PLC. Given what is happening with financial regulation globally, the work was very interesting. The work was also very diverse and my role included reviewing guarantees, assisting with intellectual property law policies, US securities due diligence and advising the bank’s global community investment team (which was great to be involved with).


I am currently based in the firm’s banking department for my final seat and I have been working on one of the largest Eastern European restructurings. Given the importance of the restructuring to our client, the work is time pressured. While there are inevitably some late nights, it is great to feel part of the team and to work together to deliver results for our client.

Trainees at the firm are all given opportunities to either go abroad on secondment to another office in the Clifford Chance network or to a client. I would highly recommend a client secondment. You are able to quickly get a feel of what clients want and to see a more commercial side of law. This sort of experience no doubt makes you a better lawyer.

Shortly I will complete my training contract and qualify into the Private Equity team within the Corporate Finance department. This is an area in which we are very strong, and I am looking forward to developing my career with the firm there.