Our People

Can you tell us about your journey to Clifford Chance and how you secured a Training Contract with the firm?

My journey to Clifford Chance was a bit unconventional. Prior to A-Levels, I spent four years at a religious Talmudic college. I then shifted focus to training to become a lawyer. I took my A-Levels and then studied for my Law degree at the University of Liverpool. Eager to continue academically, I pursued a master's at the University of Oxford. I applied to Clifford Chance and was delighted to receive an offer from Clifford Chance!

What were the highlights of your Training Contract and which aspects did you enjoy the most?

My highlights were working on a complex scheme of arrangement in restructuring, being able to go on secondment to Munich, and then being able to assist in complex submissions for the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) investigations and on a European Commission Phase II investigation.

How did your responsibilities evolve during your Training Contract?

As a first seater, you learn the ropes, begin to understand how to advise, and get more up to speed with the commercials that drive our clients' matters. As I progressed in my Training Contract, I enhanced my understanding of these aspects and felt more confident in utilising them. This enabled me to get more direct client contact and transition from executing workstreams to understanding how those workstreams further the clients' objectives.

Can you share an example of a challenging task you handled during your Training Contract?

I was part of the team that advised on a high-profile telecom merger. This required antitrust approval from the European Commission. As with similar transactions in the telecoms space, the European Commission launched a full Phase II investigation. It issued around 80 batches of information requests and a Statement of Objections. The process was highly complex, technical, and time-sensitive. However, the team I worked with was incredible, and we were ultimately able to persuade the European Commission to unconditionally clear the transaction.

How did your Training Contract prepare you for the transition to becoming a newly qualified lawyer?

One of the great things about Clifford Chance is its high emphasis on training. As a trainee, each matter you work on is treated as an opportunity to teach you, and regular feedback sessions allow you to grow further. Moreover, the depth of Clifford Chance is such that you sit in leading departments for each of your seats, which helps you receive well-rounded training.

What is your current role at Clifford Chance, and what type of work do you focus on?

I am a Senior Associate in the firm's Global Antitrust team. I have a varied practice, which includes advising on the merger control aspects of M&A transactions, cartel and abuse of market power investigations, appeals to CMA decisions, the application of foreign investment and national security regimes, UK subsidy control and State aid, market studies and investigations, commercial arrangements, and competition law compliance.

What advice would you give to junior lawyers about specialisation and gaining experience in different areas?

I would advise junior lawyers to be curious and open-minded. You cannot properly comment on whether you will enjoy a practice area until you actually practice it. When you turn senior, you specialise in an area. So your junior years are the best time to discover what you enjoy. It is best to try a few more things than regret the path you take.

What is one of the most fulfilling aspects of your work at Clifford Chance?

It is being able to work on cutting-edge cases for amazing and curious clients as part of intelligent and dedicated teams.