Apolline Coly

Give a brief overview of your role at the firm now, when you joined and your background before joining

In January 2022, I joined Clifford Chance as an associate in the Real Estate group in the Paris office after five years at major French and UK law firms. I work on real estate transactions, in particular asset deals, real estate company share sales and purchases. I studied at the Universities Paris 1 Panthéon Sorbonne and Paris Dauphine, where I graduated in Wealth Management Law (Droit du Patrimoine) in 2013. I also hold a Master in Management of Real Estate Projects from Université de Montréal, Canada (2015).

Why did you become a lawyer - what prompted and sustained your pursuit?

At the end of my bachelor in Private Law, I completed an internship in the real estate department of a US law firm in Paris. I realized that dynamism and intensity of the firm's activity allowed me to blossom. I therefore chose to take the bar exam the following year. Consequently, I suggest taking every opportunity to do internships in law firms in order to get a feel for the culture and atmosphere.

How would you describe the culture and atmosphere at Clifford Chance?

The firm fosters a positive, fulfilling work environment, promoting a strong team spirit and supporting lawyers at every stage of their career. 

What do you notice and value most about the people?

The great thing about the people at Clifford Chance is that everyone is extremely friendly and approachable especially partners and senior lawyers who are enabling young lawyers to learn very rapidly from the more experienced members of the team.

What is your key advice for anyone considering a career at Clifford Chance?

I believe that to be a good business lawyer, you cannot only be good at law, but you need to understand your clients, their business, the challenges they face along with being able to give a legal advice with commercial insight. Being curious about our clients' and our environment is an absolute necessity.

What differentiates Clifford Chance from other firms/organisations you have worked at?

At Clifford Chance, we are working with clients on complex French international and multi-jurisdictional matters. Consequently, the firm encourages close working relationships with colleagues from across the region and exchanges with foreign lawyers who are working in the firm's offices all around the world. Therefore, being able to work with foreign lawyers is a real advantage in order to understand different cultures and keep an open mind.

What was your recruitment process when you joined the firm?

During my recruitment process I was introduced to the 9 members of the Real Estate group. It is very important to meet the entire team and feel its atmosphere. These interviews convinced me to join the team.  

What are the key skills you have developed here which have been invaluable to your career?

I am encouraged by my team and more broadly by Clifford Chance to develop self-reliance, by promote direct involvement in projects and liaising with clients and interpersonal communication, which is essential in our job. 

What do you like most about your job?

The real estate transactions we advise on at Clifford Chance are among the most challenging that can be found on the market, and I have the opportunity to work on them with exceptional people. As lawyers, we are also very independent in our day-to-day work, which is rewarding.