I started working for the firm immediately after a six-month traineeship at what is now BNP Paribas Fortis. Lucky me!

The warm welcome at my interview made me really happy because I knew this would be somewhere I could grow personally and professionally. And I’ve now been here for 19 years! First of all, I’m lucky because the Brussels office is a really nice building. Since it's been renovated, we have a really big space that's lovely for clients, and we take full advantage of the cosy coffee corners.

I have two roles, as I’m a Legal Secretary and also the local trainer. It’s really important for lawyers to be able to rely on someone and I feel really appreciated. I even still get messages from people I trained a long time ago. As a trainer I make sure that everyone starting work with us is trained, and properly inducted into Linklaters. I really like showing people things they don’t know! So the responsibility I have here is quite unusual, I think. We don't just type, scan or photocopy. And we have a lot of contact with clients for important closing and signing conversations. I must say that speaking two or three languages is also a real asset to building our client relationships and the company image.

The longer you work in the firm, the more you can handle and the more responsibility you get. We do a lot and that’s what makes it fun and challenging. There’s plenty of training for Secretaries to help your progress, such as a very good internet tool called Sophia where we can book onto short courses. I’m also putting together a very interactive presentation with one of our Partners in the firm, on how Secretaries and lawyers can work best together. If you’re flexible and motivated, you’ll always fit in at Linklaters - even if you don’t have a law background.