Adrien completed his LLM at Columbia Law School in New York City. He's currently sitting in Banking, working on a range of work including leveraged finance.

From LLM to global lawyer in Paris

After graduating from the University of Paris, I decided to study for my LLM at Columbia Law School in New York. I already loved the city and I knew studying there would give me the opportunity to meet people from different countries and cultures (particularly Latin America & Asia).

Why an LLM?

I knew that an LLM would increase my opportunities to grow a truly global career. As part of my LLM, I studied private international law. This taught me how to work across geographical borders and with people from different legal jurisdictions.

How did you apply?

The application process for Linklaters was really efficient. I was given access to partners and contacts for associates to ask any questions, and everyone came back to me very quickly. I was also able to talk to some of my friends who had spent time at Linklaters during internships. After speaking to everyone, I was certain this was the firm for me. I applied directly to the Linklaters office in Paris via my application in the US.

Why Linklaters?

I wanted to really use my LLM, so I was looking to work for a firm with a global, integrated practice. Linklaters offered this, along with the opportunity to work abroad as part of my development. Of course, I also wanted to work on high-profile deals and transactions for high-profile clients.

Linklaters operates a “seat” system, which gives you the opportunity to experience different practice areas before choosing where you would like to work. This gave me the flexibility to spend time in both the banking and corporate practices, before choosing to continue my career in banking. The right cultural fit was also really important to me. The Linklaters people I had met throughout the application process were always professional, yet very open and approachable.

How’s it been since?

In my four years at Linklaters, I feel my expectations have been exceeded. I have worked on a number of high-profile, cross-border deals and was seconded to New York for 12 months. Because I’d already dealt with my colleagues in the office in New York through the deals I had worked on, I already had relationships with the people there. This made the experience of moving to a new country much easier.

I’m still learning and improving every day. I feel I’m working more efficiently and I’m involved in different aspects of the firm’s work, including new business and relationship development as well as my billable hours advising my clients.

I really feel that my LLM is being put to good use here. I’m confident that my work is contributing to Linklaters’ objective of becoming the premium global law firm. My advice to anyone thinking of a career in commercial law would be that if you want to experience challenging, global work in an open, attractive culture, then Linklaters is the place for you.