How did you become a trainee at Linklaters?

I grew up in the Czech Republic and moved to the UK when I was 19. I studied law in London and spent a year abroad in Singapore as part of my degree. After having a great time on the firm’s Pathfinder scheme, I then did a vacation scheme the following year. Even though the scheme took place online because of the pandemic, I felt more integrated into the firm than anywhere else I’d been. Something clicked, and I finally understood what people meant when they talked about the famously vague “great culture”.

Have you had any global client work opportunities so far?

Yes! I've already worked with a lot of international clients. For example, I've worked on a €4.4bn financing for gigafactories across Europe, investments around the world by Middle Eastern and Chinese sovereign wealth funds, and on large private equity transactions across Europe. I've had the opportunity to work with colleagues across the globe on most of these deals. Having teams in different time zones really helps with supporting clients around the clock.

How would you describe your team environment and culture at Linklaters?

I knew one of Linklaters' strengths was its investment in training, however, I've been blown away by the amount of time, effort and money that goes into it. Aside from formal training sessions, I get to work with brilliant people who invest in my development every day, and I really believe that this is the best place to train.

In terms of broader team dynamics, colleagues really care and they want you to do well. We have the mindset that people shouldn’t be left alone, so if you have to stay late, others will be there pulling their weight with you. Everyone's conscious that it's hard work, and so they support each other every step of the way.

What advice would you give to anyone considering a career at Linklaters?

Don’t be scared to reach out! Talking to people is the best way to make an informed decision about any firm – and remember that people want to talk to you too. After all, anyone who loves their job will be excited to tell you all about it.