Alex Shaw (he/him)

I am currently an NQ (Newly Qualified Lawyer) in the Tax group at Clifford Chance in London. Previously, I completed a Training Contract at the firm with seats in Derivatives, Tax, Litigation & Dispute Resolution and a secondment to the Private Equity team in the Frankfurt office. 

Working in Frankfurt, I assisted with major cross-border deals-not only in the Private Equity space, but also in the broader Corporate and M&A practice. Going on secondment often allows trainees to experience a wider range of work than might be possible in the more specialised teams in London. In my case, this ranged from assisting some of the firm's most prominent global clients with private and public M&A transactions to getting an insight into company governance, commercial contracts and data protection aspects of corporate law. . 

There isn't always an equivalent to the trainee role in different countries. In Frankfurt, the Private Equity secondment is very much what you make of it and I was given real responsibility in the deals that I worked on. This included helping co-ordinate a Financial Institutions deal with other Clifford Chance offices and local counsel, negotiate confidentiality agreements for M&A transactions and get contracts notarised (an important, sometimes time-consuming, requirement for our colleagues in some civil law jurisdictions such as Germany!) 

Another highlight was the chance to put my language skills into action. Having studied German as part of my degree at university, I enjoyed the opportunity to get involved in German-language negotiations and reviewing German contracts, knowing that I was in a supportive environment with colleagues who valued my contribution. During my secondment, the Firm provided German language lessons, which further bolstered my ability to integrate into the office and contribute to the team. 

Most valuably, my secondment in Frankfurt helped me broaden my network at the firm, whilst I stayed in touch with London colleagues through the cross-border deals I worked on. One of Clifford Chance's strengths, both in the London office and in the wider network, is its collegiate culture; secondments are a chance to build a network that endures post-qualification. Secondments offer plenty of social opportunities - including, in Frankfurt, Stammtische (social gatherings) and regular meals and drinks events with colleagues which play a key part in the secondee experience. 

Going on secondment in Frankfurt enabled me to develop my confidence, creativity and resilience as a lawyer and to build new friendships: it was a highly rewarding experience and one I would recommend to any trainee or junior lawyer.”