Mathieu Ritte-Sanders

I joined Clifford Chance in Dubai where I was already based and transferred to our New York office in 2017. Before that, I worked in business development at two other global law firms in Paris and Dubai after graduating from business school in France.

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

It is a fast-paced, stimulating work environment, and it is of course a demanding business, as we are among the best law firms in the world, but it doesn't stop people from being approachable and collaborative.

Another aspect of the culture that I value is the diversity and inclusion that the firm supports. As a gay man, I can be myself at Clifford Chance, and I feel respected and valued for who I am and what I bring to the table.

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

This kind of role requires you to be proactive, creative, and efficient. And to retain a lot of information. You have to be interested in the business world and recognize market trends and how they affect our clients. I really enjoy about my role that it is fast-paced and linked with many parts of the business, but that also means that I have to manage my projects effectively, communicate well, spot any problems early and know how to prioritize and ask for help when necessary.

What do you like most about your job?

I really enjoy the international nature of the work that we do. Not a day goes by without speaking to colleagues in Europe or Asia, and even in our US offices you will hear a lot of different accents.

What do you notice and value most about the people?

It is honestly the little things that make a big difference for me – expressing gratitude, showing interest in a colleague's weekend before starting a meeting, letting people know they're doing a good job. It is so easy to do and it motivates everyone to work harder.

If you are a business professional, speak with the attorneys, learn about what they do, ask questions, what challenges and pain points they face, so that you can really add value to the business.

If you are an attorney, get to know the business professionals because there is so much they can do to help you serve clients and grow your practice.

What's the best piece of advice you've received since joining?

That asking questions is a good thing. I used to think that it would give away the fact that I was not an expert in certain topics. I have realized that there are very few areas in which anyone can claim to truly be an expert, and that I should not be embarrassed of not knowing everything, as long as I was curious and asked the right questions. I also realized that I have my own strengths and I know things that others don't!

What motivates you? 

In case that wasn't obvious from my previous answers, working in a team and lifting each other up!

What was your recruitment process when you joined the firm?

I messaged the hiring manager on LinkedIn, got an interview with HR and the hiring manager and after that a group of partners. It was a long time ago (almost 9 years!) but as I remember it, it was a smooth and exciting process.