[OLD] Position: Trainee
Education: Law, University College Cork; LPC
Joined Clifford Chance: 2009

Mine is an unusual route into training in that I was working as a paralegal in Australia when I decided I wanted to pursue a career in commercial law. When I came back I joined the firm as a paralegal with the intention of applying for a training contract – by which time I was well aware of its international reach, breadth and diversity. Doing a part-time LPC at the same time as working for the firm was hard work but everyone around me was very supportive of my goals and helped me to get the kind of experience that would be valuable for me.

My first seat, Real Estate Funds and Investments, has been very positive. The team focuses on the corporate aspects of real estate transactions, setting up companies to make new acquisitions, and developing purchase and joint-venture agreements, or as is now common in this climate, finding the best way to dissolve them. Even though it’s my first seat I’ve been able to run small files and manage transactions right through from instigation to completion, liaising with the client, drafting the documents and negotiating with other lawyers. That direct client contact is really important – it helps you to stay in touch with what the transaction is all about and why it’s important to the client.

I’ve been involved in pro bono work since I was at university and the firm has encouraged me to continue with that, through FreeLaw, on a project helping homeless people with interviewing skills and with the Social Mobility Foundation. Using my skills to help other people is personally rewarding and a great and challenging experience. There are some long days certainly, but the facilities here make it very easy to do a long day. I’m a big fan of the gym – that’s where you’ll find me most lunchtimes.