Our People

I joined Clifford Chance in October 2021, right after graduating with a Master of Laws degree from the Université Catholique de Louvain (Belgium). Thereafter, I pursued an LL.M. at Harvard Law School (Class of 2024). After my LL.M., I came straight back to Clifford Chance. I am homegrown!

What led you to specialise in your practice area and what keeps you passionate?

Becoming a banking and finance lawyer wasn't in my initial plans. I didn't specialise in that area at law school, nor did I think that I would enjoy it. It was only after joining Clifford Chance Brussels and getting a taste of the "pool" system - where I got to work across different practices as a junior - that I realised I loved the precision and inherent complexity of finance, along with the dynamic nature of transactional work and how it all ties into the real-world workings of financial markets.

How did your initial assumptions about being a lawyer change as your career progressed?

At law school, I thought being a lawyer meant going to court every day, pleading cases, and winning arguments. Today, as a finance transactional lawyer, I am hardly ever in court. I see my job as more about strategic thinking, problem-solving, and guiding clients through complex legal landscapes. I have also shifted from a "winning" mindset to a more interest-focused negotiation style that emphasises collaboration and mutual benefit.

How would you describe the culture at the firm?

I would describe the culture at Clifford Chance as collaborative and supportive. I am a strong believer in a work environment where differences are embraced, and I don't feel that working at Clifford Chance has made me a clone of everyone else. Of course, there are always parts of big law culture that you will end up internalising, but I feel the firm supports the introverts, the extroverts, the silent ones, and the loud ones by giving them a chance to shine in their own way and not forcing them into a one size fits all mould.

What key skills have you developed so far?

High precision in legal thinking, an acute attention to detail, the ability to think outside the box, and deciphering the real-life and commercial implications of legal findings and advice are the key skills I have developed at Clifford Chance. Learning among some of the brightest legal minds in the industry, I have absorbed knowledge through observations and by striving to become one of them as well!

What aspect of the work brings you the greatest satisfaction?

What I enjoy most about my work at Clifford Chance is how much I am learning in such a short time. In this high-paced, high-intensity environment, the learning curve is incredibly steep. I get satisfaction from understanding complex legal concepts and situations in a transaction, advising clients by crafting a legal analysis, thinking of the best way to frame my advice, meeting clients in person, understanding their needs, and pushing to get deals across the finish line. These are all aspects of my job I enjoy daily!

What advice would you give to someone considering a career at Clifford Chance?

Make sure to read through the firm's website and familiarise yourself with what the firm stands for, its core values, ambitions, and some of the cases that the team you're applying to join has advised on in recent months. Understand the type of clients we advise and talk to as many associates, counsels, and partners as possible. I find that by getting to know the people, you gain a sense of the firm itself.

What has been your most exciting project so far?

In addition to the complex matters, the most impactful and rewarding projects for me are the pro bono projects. These allow me to help on initiatives that directly impact people's lives. Being able to contribute, for free, to projects that have a long-lasting impact on society is truly rewarding.

What is the best career advice you have received?

Don't start drafting or reviewing a facility agreement with the definition section! This is anecdotal, but it taught me something bigger about being more efficient in my work. Learning these tips early on can save you a great deal of time and frustration!

How do you maintain a work-life balance?

Communication truly is the key. I always remind myself that I work with a team, and by definition, your team should support you. When the workload becomes difficult to manage, I communicate openly and seek common ground to improve the situation for everyone. Don't assume your colleagues are aware; it's better to over-communicate than to under-communicate. There are still challenges to achieving full healthy work-life balance, of course, such as the underrepresentation of women with (or without) children in top positions, and I believe we can do much better in that regard.