Category: Interviews

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.

Before joining the firm, I had already developed some insight on what to expect from a career in Big Law. Previously, my work as a litigation paralegal at an Am Law 100 firm led me to enroll in law school. As a student, I completed externships with the US Department of Justice, while developing an interest in corporate, securities, finance and private international law courses.

The time demand and personal sacrifices required to produce a high-quality work product were well-advertised as I began to evaluate my career path as an attorney. But the advantages of strong training and mentoring opportunities, the ability to work on sophisticated cross-border transactions for international clients, earning potential and advancement opportunities all motivated me to seek out a law firm with a global footprint and an international focus.

As part of the inaugural class of the Transactional Pool in New York, I experienced the value of the firm’s innovative “free-market” system for developing junior associates. This led to a secondment opportunity with the US capital markets group in Hong Kong, and the prospect of returning to the Asia Pacific region, where I had worked briefly as a summer law clerk in the firm’s Beijing and Shanghai offices.

Working on cross-border transactions in Hong Kong presents some new challenges and opportunities. Some initial challenges were very basic, such as learning different customs and market practices, and managing transaction logistics around different time zones and the diverse holidays across Southeast Asia. Other challenges are more complex and ongoing, such as reconciling the different approaches to a legal question across different legal systems. Language, customs and relationships are important facets of my practice here, particularly in negotiating a workable solution that satisfies all parties to a cross-border transaction.

A secondment is an incredibly rewarding experience. It has not only provided substantive work opportunities and extensive client contact early in my career, but also required me to adapt my skillset to a new training model and different office dynamic. I share an office with a US capital markets partner, which has provided invaluable access to a colleague who is successful at the highest level. Throughout any given day, I benefit from observing his approach to client inquiries, while also receiving instant feedback on a matter, or a seasoned perspective on how current events affect the Asian capital markets practice. The firm’s culture and quality are consistent across offices, but the secondment experience has shown me how our reputation is perceived globally and how we deliver our services to clients in various legal markets.

Throughout the journey, my mentors in New York have continued to be great resources, and that has meant a lot to me. Coming to Hong Kong meant leaving their practice in the interim, but they have supported my development and encouraged me to venture outside of my comfort zone.

Growing up, I didn’t plan to become a lawyer. I considered many paths, studying history and astrophysics in college. I briefly explored a political career after high school, working on a campaign and interning in a senator’s office. While it wasn’t the right path for me, I found politics interesting in many of the ways I now find the law interesting – particularly the shaping of laws and how this affects the way we think and live.

When I arrived at law school, I felt like everyone else already knew how the process worked and what was expected. In my second week, I was told that I had “missed the train,” and my odds of becoming a transactional lawyer in a big international firm were minimal. That energized me. If the train was already running, then I was going to run harder to catch up. I took a course on derivatives, led by two inspirational professors, and just followed my passion. Now, I’m glad that I didn’t have all that baggage going in.

On day one at your firm, you don’t know what your clients need, and you don’t understand the larger context. It’s intimidating, and the learning curve can be long and difficult. But as you get some experience and grow more confident in what you’ve learned, you’ll find that you can pick up the phone when a client calls and answer questions without stopping to get help. That’s when you know that your time and effort are paying off.

My biggest accomplishment so far has been expanding a client relationship. I went from handling an occasional assignment to being a key point of contact. We have progressed to daily phone calls, and more work streams are coming from this relationship. I’ve also met more casually with my contacts, away from the office, which has allowed me to learn about their values. As my own knowledge and confidence have grown, so has our relationship as a firm with this client. It’s been very rewarding to be part of that process.

I like setting goals. Outside work, I am training to compete in my first half marathon. If I’m working on something difficult, then I’ll challenge myself to learn it by the end of the month, or I’ll sign up for a demanding race just to push myself. I find my balance by staying very organized: I write down my goals and try to stick to them.

I think it’s a good idea to keep your horizon broad and become a well-rounded person before narrowing down to a career path. My firm supports that, especially with the pool system, which allows me to follow my interests and be authentic. Rather than obsessing about the future, I tell myself: relax, you’ll get there.

The law appeals to me because it’s like a language. Much of lawyering involves interpreting the language of the law and speaking up for your clients. As a lifelong stutterer and an immigrant who moved to the States during high school without speaking much English, I understand personally the frustration of not being heard. That is why I have always felt uniquely equipped to be an effective interpreter and a zealous advocate for our clients.

My initial thought was to become a public interest lawyer. Before law school, I worked for the Korean Ministry of Gender Equality as a translator. During the post-bar period, I took up a fellowship to do research on business and human rights for the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and work with the United Nations High Commissioners for Refugees in Malaysia.

However, during law school I also began to appreciate the value of private sector practice. Big Law provides the best training platform, including exposure to a variety of industries, clients and lawyers specializing in different areas; this is a rite of passage I believe all lawyers should go through. You acquire skills that help you stay flexible and work with anyone, and the long hours help you develop discipline and organizational skills, as well as good stamina. So I took a different direction and joined the firm after graduation.

I remain committed to public interest, and I am happy that my firm supports pro bono work. It has helped me stay current on issues I care about – refugees and gender crimes – and I have been working on cases referred by the firm’s partner NGOs, such as the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP) and My Sisters’ Place. Pro bono work also gives me litigation experience not otherwise available to a transactional lawyer, and enables me to manage an entire matter directly with a client.

Above all, I love my practice; it’s been very rewarding so far. Last year, I worked on a CRE CLO transaction where we helped the client raise funds in the capital markets. During that six-month period, I took on more responsibilities, worked almost non-stop and developed a deep sense of ownership. Our client is a successful emerging company run by a group of brilliant market veterans. As a first-time issuer, however, the company was also considered an underdog, just like me – in a sense, we learned and grew together. The deal closed successfully; the client raised the needed funds and, more importantly, is now a credible player in the market, working with major US banks. Several months later, the client invited our team to dinner and made a point of thanking me in person, which I really appreciated.

I have recently gotten back into hip hop dance – something I was quite serious about during college. I’m normally a very shy person, so being on stage helped to build my confidence. It is so different from work, which is refreshing and recharging. By Monday morning, I am ready for the new week.

When you interview at various law firms, a lot of buzzwords get thrown around – it’s “collegial,” people are “friendly” and so on. I feel fortunate to be at a firm where it’s genuine; people come by just to say hi, and there’s a willingness to listen and change.

Before I started, junior associates rotated among our primary practice areas, spending six months in each. It wasn’t an ideal system, but it was the norm, and change is rare in Big Law. I was impressed that the firm was willing to try a new approach based on associate feedback. As a member of the first class working in the Transactional Pool, I found that it offered a wider range of opportunities – we have a dedicated assignments coordinator who really gets to know us, and the work is allocated in a mindful way that can be refined as our interests take shape.

Being open to new ideas can lead to both incremental and large-scale improvements. When I first arrived, we used desktop computers, but today everyone has laptops and the flexibility they offer. Small changes like that can have a larger cultural impact. If your senior colleagues can trust you to produce high-quality work on deadline, then you can take work home at night – or go offline to get to that workout class or take care of a personal obligation – as long as you remain generally available and accountable. It’s a sign that your personal life is valued, too.

Mindsets have changed about career expectations and how and where work gets done – even among clients, who are increasingly happy to save costs by having conference calls instead of in-person meetings. For my part, I’ve been focused on putting my head down and doing my best work. Nothing we do for our clients is mundane, and I love the complexity of cross-border deals, but it’s important to keep things in perspective. Once the work is done, I want to go home, hang out with my friends and spend time with family.

Having personal connections at the office is so important, especially in a profession where you work long hours. I’ve found a deeper sense of belonging by getting involved with the firm at an organizational level. Recently, I’ve been helping to plan events and initiatives for our Women’s Diversity Subcommittee with the goal of providing a platform for discussions of issues that include professional and personal growth, the need for female mentorship, diversity in client networking, and overcoming gender bias and creating organizational change.

I’ve also gotten more involved in pro bono work this past year – something the firm really supports and even credits toward our annual hours assessment. Once I began making the time for pro bono, I felt greater personal satisfaction in all the work I was doing.