Month: April 2019

Our latest collaboration with Clifford Chance, Their Voices: Insights from Today’s Rising Lawyers, chronicles the journeys and stories of a selection of the next generation of lawyers, written and compiled by the team at GC magazine.

The collection of stories reveals that the stereotypical, well-trodden pathway to law is far from the sole entry point to the profession. In the past, anything but a complete commitment to the law – and nothing but the law – may have been considered a detriment, whereas now diversity of experience, both personal and professional, is characterizing the next generation of entrants. Those featured in the pages that follow embody this change, hailing from a range of backgrounds with law a second career for many – some in tangentially related industries, others hailing from a past which couldn’t be further from the law – but all bringing with them an insight as unique as it is valuable.

The interviews that underpin this publication also reveal a profession in the midst of change, as the realities of working at a law firm in the 21st century ring true for all the right reasons. The impact of technology is creating opportunities for new ways of working, increased flexibility and the chance to fundamentally reimagine how lawyers should – and do – operate. With this newest cohort of entrants hailing from a generation of digital natives, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that many of those featured are showing leadership and helping drive this change, but the willingness of senior partners and management to respond by empowering some of their newest members in such a positive fashion illustrates the changing dynamics apparent in a modern law firm.

Helping to facilitate that change at Clifford Chance, particularly for new entrants to the firm, has been Erin Zucker, the firm’s dedicated assignment manager, who has been instrumental in transforming the experience of first-year law clerks and associates. Instead of specializing at the commencement of their professional career or operating under the rigidity of the typical six-month rotation, most new entrants now enter a pool for a two-and-a-half-year period, during which time they are exposed to assignments across the firm’s transactional practices. That very exposure – to a broad selection of practices and practitioners – offers the opportunity to glean an insight into what their own future could hold, while developing well-rounded lawyers with a more holistic understanding of the profession.

When considered in the context of a world (and business environment) that is increasingly globalized, one with less defined boundaries and practice areas that no longer operate in silos, bringing together the aforementioned threads – diverse pathways, modern working practices and holistic approaches to training – no longer seems like nice-to-haves, but rather professional imperatives.

The stories that follow paint a picture of progression and much-needed modernization for the next generation of lawyers. And while change can be a scary word, based on my interactions with those who generously gave their time as part of this undertaking, I can confidently say that if this is what the future leaders of the legal profession look like, we’re in good hands.

Alex Speirs, Editor-in-Chief, GC magazine

Lawyers choose a legal career for many different reasons. Some have it in their DNA and come from a family of attorneys. For others, the idea may arise during high school or college, or maybe after spending some time in another kind of job or doing community service. When the idea strikes, some are not certain and need time to explore; others are driven straight to law school. But they all have one thing in common: something sparked their interest.

My job is to help empower our lawyers. They arrive here on their first day having already navigated their way through law school, the recruitment process and a summer program. It’s an impressive beginning, and I find great joy in doing my part to help them shape the future of their careers – digging into the work and finding the right space to practice in.

Since the firm decided in 2015 to embrace a pool concept for our first years in the transactional practice, I have been tasked with implementing that process. Shortly thereafter, I began coordinating staffing within the litigation practice in collaboration with our partners and counsel. This approach offers significant benefits. For one, it keeps everyone consistently busy and allows lawyers to immerse themselves in a variety of work, where and when our clients need it. It also provides exposure to our international network of offices in a very fluid way – that’s a great fit with our culture as a global firm.

A big part of my job is getting to know people: what kind of work interests them, their professional styles and goals – their voices. What I’ve learned is that this generation of junior lawyers is shifting the prevailing wisdom about success in the law.

I’m also here to encourage people to step outside their comfort zone by exposing them to different types of work. I know that I am having a positive impact on someone’s career when they say, “I’m so glad I tried something new.”

What you will read in these pages is just a sampling of the stories that our junior lawyers could tell. From my perspective, the takeaway is this: whether they practice law for their entire careers or move on to something completely unexpected, they are on a path to forging their own success in an evolving field. That’s why their perspective is so valuable. n

Erin Zucker, Americas regional professional development manager, Clifford Chance

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.

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.

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 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.

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!

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.

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.