Florence completed LLM at Duke University, USA, and is now working as an associate in the Brussels office.

From LLM to global lawyer in Belgium

I studied for my initial law degree in Belgium and then went to Duke University in North Carolina for the LLM.

Why an LLM?

A lot of Belgian law firms appreciate an LLM qualification, so I saw it as a way of investing in my future and broadening my experience. Also, I have always been attracted to any English-speaking environment.

How did you apply?

I first met some partners in the Brussels office and a couple of weeks later, I went to a big law recruitment fair in New York and spoke to many firms there. Linklaters stood out because they were far more thorough with the application process. Many of the questions were aimed at building a profile of me as a person, not just a collection of academic grades.

Why Linklaters?

Linklaters is known in Belgium not just for the quality of our work, but for our global reach too. Throughout my studies the firm always had a presence on campus and around the faculty. With that kind of reputation, and high-profile global exposure, I knew I’d be in safe hands.

How’s it been since?

When I joined I had a week’s induction programme which introduced us to the technical and ethical side of the practice. Everyone has been really helpful, there’s a real open-door culture – if you need advice, you can just ask. The resources available (like the training and development and knowledge systems) are quite amazing, and they allow me to be more efficient in my working practices.

What I really enjoy is the freedom to progress my own cases. Also all of my work is extremely challenging. The deals are often featured on the news, so I really feel like I’m accomplishing something big. A smaller firm would not be able to offer me this kind of work and client exposure.