Category: Interviews

The experience of living in Nigeria and going to school in the States shaped my interest in international law. I thought practicing law could be a profound way to change the society you live in. It is the foundation of society. That’s why there’s often an aspirational aspect to the work of lawyers – they want to use the law to make people’s lives better.

My background is in international relations and international development. I also spent some time working for a human rights NGO, and saw how you could use the law to advocate for people whose interests are in some way sidelined. I became a corporate lawyer because I wanted to develop my understanding of the corporate legal landscape. I want to be involved in creating laws and regulations that can promote a society’s economic development. This practice gives you a very strong grasp of how the international global economy works, how capital moves and how business leaders make important decisions.

Prior to joining Clifford Chance, I did not expect that certain aspects of my work would be as interesting as I have found them to be. Almost anything can interest me, so long as it’s plugged into the international economy.

What I personally value is when people invest in me as a junior lawyer. We have a senior associate on one of my teams who I really like working with; not only is he smart and eloquent, but he gives me very good feedback. When he sends comments about my work, he says, “If you want to know why I made these edits, feel free to come by my office,” and he always takes the time to check in about what I’m doing.

The desire for work-life balance is strong in my generation of lawyers. Being able to explore personal interests makes us better lawyers and generally more interesting to work with. It’s stressful sometimes, and you can be consumed by the long hours, but you don’t want to burn out. I try to get to the office super early on busy days, as it’s when I am most productive. I find that getting a jump on my work makes more time in the evening for the other things I want to do.

I’m involved with the firm’s Black and Latino Subcommittee, and it’s been fun working with the other associates in a different context, such as planning our celebration of Black History Month. I also enjoy doing pro bono work because of the skillset, people and organizations it exposes me to. Getting involved can make a big law firm feel smaller. It also means you are making a different kind of investment in your firm.

Working in a marketing role for a multinational company before law school was a great decision. I spent five years at Samsung Electronics in South Korea and came away with a real head start in transitioning to the law. I got to see how a company is run from the inside, and I learned what it means to provide service. And because of the nature of Samsung’s business, I was exposed to strategic sectors, such as tech and consumer, which law firms are targeting in their own businesses.

Although marketing and law do not seemingly overlap, I brought many lessons from my previous experience when I entered the legal industry. In becoming part of another global organization, I also found many similarities between the two roles. One aspect of my firm that really appealed to me was the regular collaboration with our offices in other parts of the world. And I came here with a good understanding of how building positive relationships with colleagues can maximize efficiency and provide the best possible work product for our clients.

What I’ve come to understand is that any business is a people business. As a junior lawyer, you constantly need help from others in order to get things done. And it’s important not to lose sight of the fact that you’re never just turning in an assignment; you are playing a role by contributing to part of something bigger.

I am always reminding myself to keep a positive attitude and never do a sloppy job. When you’re putting a product out there for somebody else to use, whether it’s a smartphone or a purchase and sale agreement, it’s not just about the quality of the product, but how you handle the entire process of your business dealings. As a junior attorney, there’s a level of pressure that comes with facing the responses to your work from clients as well as senior colleagues. Everything you do – no matter how big or small the task – is going to leave an impression. And where clients are involved, that impression won’t just be of yourself, but your entire organization.

I have learned the importance of connecting the dots – that everyone you encounter is a potential mentor, friend and client, and every experience and relationship you build with another colleague is an opportunity to grow. Viewing all of that as something connected can help you focus on the best parts of any job, because whether it’s skills or relationships, you’ll always gain something valuable, and each point will guide you to the next.

I’ve always been interested in the field of government. I worked in politics before going to law school, including on Michael Bloomberg’s 2009 campaign for Mayor of New York and later at the NYC Housing Authority as a strategist and liaison with elected officials. It was interesting work, but after four years, I started thinking about Big Law.

I was craving the intensity of a campaign, but also wanted a more stable environment where I wouldn’t have to worry about finding a job if the campaign was unsuccessful. My experience in politics also gave me a good understanding of what it’s like to work long hours and under pressure, so I already knew that it was an environment I thrived in.

As a lawyer, most of your training is done on the job, and you have to jump right in. I’ve found it helpful to be thrown into the fire a bit – of course, in a safe environment – because you often don’t know that you’re ready for more difficult work until you take on those challenges. I also value the opportunities I’ve had to work with attorneys who are at the top of their field because it’s given me the chance to learn how they work through complex issues and, over time, to make some of those strategies my own.

Everyone works hard here, and I really like that. As a junior lawyer, you don’t always have control over when you work, but once you’ve shown that you can get the job done, the “how” and the “where” become less important – and you’re given the space you need to balance other priorities.

Now, if I need to work from home because my child is sick, I can do that, and we are provided the technical tools to help us carry out our work seamlessly. Finding that flexibility and respect for other priorities, particularly in a profession that is outwardly seen as rigid, was very welcome and allowed me to envision working in this industry long term.

Now that I’ve been here a while, I can see that part of the game is about trusting yourself and relaxing a bit – not about your work or being driven in your career, but more in managing emotions. To be honest, if someone had given me that advice when I was in law school, I probably wouldn’t have followed it. But I’ve learned that if you go the extra mile and do everything you possibly can on a project – every time – then there’s no reason to worry. Just give it your all and have no regrets.

I always wanted to be an attorney, but thought it was important to consider other options before deciding on a path that I would follow for a very long time. I sought out a variety of experiences, including internships in communications and hospitality, and even working at a talent agency. Finally, I interned for a judge and was just inspired. That’s when I was sure that I wanted to practice law.

I studied English literature in college and have always loved reading, writing, research and analysis, as well as oral advocacy. I wanted to use those practical skills in my work, and so decided to become a litigator.

Our clients come from a diverse range of industries, and they all do business differently. I learn something new with every case, often things I never imagined. It’s interesting and very rewarding. Along the way, I’ve come to appreciate the importance of developing a professional network, which is strongly reinforced at my firm and something that junior lawyers are being more proactive about these days.

I see the value of mentorship. It has always been important to work hard and do your best, but now there is also a direct emphasis on seeking out mentors and learning how to get help, especially when there’s a case or project that you want to work on. Then it’s about being an advocate for yourself.

As a first year, I worked with people who were very generous with their time. I always felt comfortable dropping by their offices with a question, and they took time to give me thoughtful answers. On one occasion, a senior associate and I were working on a large project. We sat and had lunch, and even though she was so busy, she still took the time to ask: “How are you? Are you enjoying the work? Is there anything else you’d like to be doing?”

This made a huge impression on me. It showed that she cared, not just about the work, but about my professional development – and not just in the context of a single case, but more broadly and long term. As a second year, I’m making a concerted effort to be there in the same way for our first years.

I think of the law as an institutionalized field in some ways, especially when you look at long-held aspects such as the standardized law school curriculum and bar process. In other ways, it is very dynamic. Law firms must evolve with the times. I love being part of a new generation in a well-established profession.

At this stage, it’s all about small victories – doing well on an assignment, being reliable and feeling useful.

When I look back on my legal career, I feel very fortunate. I had the opportunity to attend law school in Argentina and get a master’s degree in international law in Geneva, Switzerland. Then I had the chance to work for Argentina’s Treasury Attorney General’s Office, a government department that represents Argentina in its international disputes. After that, an international law firm made me an offer to join its Mexico City office.

Today, I work at a firm that started its global expansion a long time ago: international work is in our DNA. That is obviously important to my practice, but I have found that it also makes us very diverse, and that means a lot to me. Whether I have found myself living in the United States, Latin America or Europe, it has been personally as well as intellectually enriching to interact with people from different cultural backgrounds.

I love that my practice involves consequential issues. International arbitration, particularly foreign investor-state arbitration, is fascinating because it touches many aspects of the legal, economic and political life of a country, such as international law, public finance and the rule of law. We frequently represent our clients in their disputes within regulated and capital-intensive industries that present unique and very interesting challenges. Matters involving certain economic activities can have a very broad impact – a power generation project, for instance, may affect millions of people.

If you want to work on matters that involve different societies and legal traditions, it’s important to be open and eager to learn – to stay intellectually curious. Every day, I find opportunities to learn from others, and I am grateful for all the experiences that have created that openness in me.

I think it is important to have a mentor, whether that is someone in a more senior position or a peer at your own level. Having those relationships and being able to talk with someone you trust helps you to improve your professional skills. It also allows you to see a situation from different perspectives, which improves your work product and, in the end, helps you achieve the best possible outcome for your client.

In terms of personal advice, I would say that perseverance is key. Most things worth pursuing in life and in your career are a matter of pushing yourself to make the most of every opportunity, discover what truly interests you, and then find the right way to put it all together.

Becoming a lawyer wasn’t a simple decision for me. In college, I started as an arts and sciences major but found it was too broad and didn’t give me a clear sense of direction. I switched into an industrial and labor relations program, which was described to me as a people-focused major that taught students about workplace issues, including the dispute resolution process – a natural precursor to entering the law. I interviewed for a paralegal opportunity before law school, thinking it would be useful to get law firm experience and perspective. This is advice I would give to any undergraduate considering a career in law.

As a freshman, I was fortunate to meet an alumnus who has been an influential mentor ever since. He was my sounding board as I considered internship options after my sophomore year – helping to sharpen my focus and playing an instrumental role in landing my first legal position. This relationship changed my life, and I aspire to being able to give back to another in the same capacity someday.

Almost every big law firm does transactional work, but they do it with different models and approaches. I’ve played on sports teams my whole life, so when I was looking at firms, I wanted that same kind of collegial atmosphere. I got the sense here that I would be joining a team – a firm with a familiar culture that I could learn and grow in.

Since joining, that culture has been demonstrated in more ways than one. From a professional standpoint, senior associates and partners take a creative approach to coaching junior lawyers. They give detailed and transparent deal-specific feedback on our work product, as well as providing a deeper understanding of larger issues and market practices. Our practice groups offer monthly lunch meetings where junior associates can ask questions and engage in lively discussion. More importantly, we learn about the business side of transactions, which provides deeper insights into our clients’ perspectives and decisions. My view is “the earlier the better” in helping junior associates reach the point where we are contributing greater value; it increases satisfaction and is good for our business.

On a personal note, the firm encourages community service as a high priority. I served on the board of a charity that supports first responders and was grateful for the firm’s understanding about the time commitment. Over the years, I’ve also supported a non-profit called Ice Hockey in Harlem. It holds an annual tournament for large firms across North America to face off on the ice rink and raise funds for a charity that supports hundreds of inner-city students with free hockey programs. It was amazing to see my colleagues at all levels join me in forming our inaugural ice hockey team, which is very cool – no pun intended!

Antitrust combines much of what interests me about law. This area of law presents the opportunity to immerse myself in a client’s business and advocate for its interests. The practice has a strong regulatory component, so there is much substantive knowledge to learn. The many recent developments in antitrust afford me the chance to work on cutting-edge issues. Of particular interest to me is the intersection between antitrust and technology.

My class was the first to participate in the firm’s Transactional Pool in New York, and I was soon drawn to M&A. I volunteered to assist the antitrust team, which sits in our corporate group, and I ended up spending half a summer in DC working on a major antitrust investigation. The DC office and the practice area seemed like a great fit for me, and the firm was very supportive of my move to DC.

The legal field today is rapidly evolving. There are more options for my generation of lawyers, whether that means working for start-ups or multinationals, trying out different or emerging substantive areas, or having the mobility to switch offices as your practice develops. There is a definite sense that people want those choices, and they want to be able to take ownership in developing their careers.

In my own career, I have identified priorities in my environment. I value being a member of a team where my input counts: when I propose ideas, they are listened to and taken seriously. Whether it’s about pitching for work or making a suggestion about tweaking the way we do something, I have focused on finding that dynamic in my practice. My partners and senior associates provide strong mentorship and support. That kind of investment is very important to me.

Be an advocate for yourself and take chances. Setbacks are a natural part of anything worth doing. Early in your career, it may feel at times that you’re not being given as many opportunities as you’d like. But you need to take the initiative to create those opportunities. Finding a way to advocate for yourself is not something that may come easily. However, I have learned that failure to act will hold you back, especially in our field.

I come from a rural town in Queensland, Australia. I grew up on a farm and originally wanted to focus on agricultural law. But as I followed my leads, I found myself working as a general corporate lawyer in Brisbane. The size of the Brisbane legal market is relatively small, which makes it a lot tougher to specialize in any one discipline, especially early in your career. Five years later, through a connection from my former firm, a colleague who had moved to Clifford Chance some years earlier made an introduction that led to an offer, and I took the opportunity to join her team in New York.

When I joined the private funds group here, I had a number of transferrable skills – and plenty more to learn. It’s been challenging, but we have a strong support network, and the team’s willingness to help me get up to speed has made it an enjoyable process.

Throughout my studies and legal career, I’ve embraced opportunities to further my skills, which have often required relocation and adjustment. Those transitions always involved more than just learning a new practice area with a new firm. It’s also about the small things, like finding somewhere to live, establishing a support network, adjusting to life in a new country and a new city. I was lucky to have joined an international firm with colleagues who have not only been there and done that, but are happy to make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible for me.

I’ve been struck by the amount of flexibility we’re given – something the current generation of lawyers will only further develop. A lot of this is driven by the use of technology and making day-to-day tasks as automated as possible. On the one hand, it allows us to work remotely and enter into arrangements that can ensure there’s a balance between our personal and professional commitments – but I think the real value here is that it allows lawyers to continually up-skill and focus on activities that are going to enable them to provide meaningful and tailored advice to our clients.

Starting out in Australia, I was so very focused on a rigid set of goals: joining the best law firm, becoming a senior associate, progressing to partner. But once I started working toward those goals, I realized they only represented my perception of what success looked like, not what I really wanted to achieve. In reality, having the flexibility to learn new skills and using them to develop my career was more important. And I didn’t have to lose sight of my goals, just figure out the best way to approach them.

As a young person reading books for school, I was attracted to characters who were lawyers – To Kill a Mockingbird is one of my favorites. The pop culture portrayal of lawyers – what it took for them to understand a case and really help someone – resonated with me. I think I’ve always known that I wanted to be a lawyer.

After completing my undergraduate studies, serving for five years in the military and earning a master’s degree in regional studies, I was ready for law school. I went to night school part-time and worked at the New York Stock Exchange during the day. The job provided exposure to the financial side of business and the work of a transactional lawyer.

When the time came to select a firm for my summer program, I knew exactly where I wanted to be. I had always heard that my firm has an outstanding global reputation, and once I arrived and started working with our teams, my choice was confirmed. After the program, the firm offered an assignment to stay on as a paralegal during my last year in school, and from there, things fell into place.

As an intelligence specialist in the US Marine Corps, I received intensive training about different cultures and histories. These are important factors in a tactical or military environment, and the lessons translate well in an international legal practice.

Transitioning out of the military wasn’t easy, though. I went from wearing a combat uniform every day to wearing a suit. The firm’s support has been essential, but I’ve also found it helpful to integrate some of the daily rituals of military life. I still wake up early and make the bed: that discipline starts my process for the rest of the day.

One of the most valuable skills I’ve learned is to just march on, even when you find yourself in an embarrassing or awkward situation. The military tests you for that ability, and it’s very useful in the law. As a junior, you’re going to make mistakes. But if you can take that as a given and see mistakes for what they are, then you can learn from them and make sure you don’t repeat them.

Every day at work is a humbling experience: no matter how much you’ve learned, there’s always something new coming up. Having that awareness can help you check your pride and keep difficult issues in perspective. I’ve learned a lot just by watching experienced partners and associates face a new problem and then coordinate an entire team to tackle it.

Growing up, I had no idea I would end up being a lawyer. In high school, I was focused on math and science. I didn’t know any lawyers and never thought about the law as a career path.

In college, I took some public policy classes and became interested in education. After graduation, I worked as a teacher and later joined an organization focused on education policy. It was only then that I began to see how much power there is in understanding the law. My colleagues often talked about how they wished they had legal training or that there was a lawyer around for them to consult. I went to law school so I could become that resource. Instead, I ended up falling in love with the law.

Work-life balance is not about finding time for work and time for “life.” Being a lawyer is a core part of my identity. It is hard work and can involve long hours and lots of stress, but it is also very fulfilling. I wouldn’t be doing it if I didn’t enjoy it. At the same time, it is important to me to be a man of faith and to spend time with the people I love. These things make me a better lawyer. I don’t see these aspects of my life as separate; for me, work-life balance is about integrating them.

I recall a project I worked on around Easter that had very tight deadlines – early mornings and all-nighters. It was important to me to celebrate the holiday at church, and my teammates encouraged me to do so. I worked until I had to leave for church and then came back to the office afterwards. I was touched that my colleagues understood what this meant to me, and it motivated me to work even harder.

Our people are really what makes working here special. Everyone I have worked with has genuinely focused on teaching and mentorship. Whenever a partner or senior associate gives me an assignment, they take the time to explain how it fits into the bigger picture. As junior lawyers, we want to have an impact – to know that the work we do is important. This culture gives us confidence that we are part of the firm’s mission and overall strategy. It inspires me to be a better lawyer, to be a fierce and effective advocate for our clients.

One of the most important concepts in the law is building on precedent – we stand on the shoulders of giants. I am where I am now because of the people who came before me. My goal is to be a giant for those who come after.