Rachael Guilor, Trainee

Position: Trainee
Education: History and Modern Languages, Birmingham University; GDL and LPC, College of Law London
Clifford Chance bursary: 2007
Joined Clifford Chance: 2008

I applied to do some vacation work with the firm when I was in Brazil and I'm hoping to go back there for one of my training seats. I also took up a Clifford Chance bursary after law school to help fund some further travel and language training in Mozambique where I worked for a charity providing legal aid.

From the very first day I joined the Corporate practice it was made clear to me that I was an important part of the team and that I had a contribution to make. I was helping to co-ordinate a global team and setting up the acquisition structure for a proposed £2 billion takeover. The Private Equity practice is very busy. While many of my days have involved more regular working hours, I have had a few really intense spells and I've even had to sleep at the office. But when you are working late you know you're doing value-added work for your team and for your client. We have brilliant resources to support you so that you can focus on the work.

I go to the firm's gym a few times a week and I¹m on the firm's hockey team, which is great fun. Basically the attitude here is work hard when you have work to do. If it's quiet go home or go out and relax.