“I’ve experienced a few law firms over the years and, in my opinion, Linklaters is structured very differently. In particular, we have combined our derivatives expertise with traditional capital markets to create one big team – which is a big turn-on for our people as well as clients. For new recruits, this unique blend of disciplines might be quite daunting, simply because it may seem quite tough to get in – and to get on.
“However, it’s important to realise that we invest a great deal in training to ensure every new recruit gets up to speed quickly; and for everyone in the team, there has to be regular training to make sure we’re all aware of market developments. We’ve seen people come in and make an immediate impression. We’ve benefited from their experiences in another environment, and they’ve gained a great deal from the wider exposure.
“Few law firms can match the scale of our capabilities or the scope of the work or clients. It is international. You work with large, innovative global investment banks. This is an exciting practice area: DSP has been up and running for just a few years, and we’ve witnessed some dramatic expansion.
“The success of DSP in London has inspired lots of other offices around the world to expand their offering. So that’s another opportunity. It may seem like a cliché, but I do feel that day-to-day you don’t know what will come through the door.”