It has been four months since I qualified into DSP

One of the highlights of the last four months must have been “Movember”, a charity fund-raiser for prostate cancer which requires participants to grow out their facial hair into ‘taches for the whole of November. Linklaters sent out a strong contingent in support of Movember and even appeared on television. Around 30 of us participated from DSP, including the girls!!

Part of the appeal for the boys was being able to come into work with a legitimate reason for not shaving. There was a hilarious solidarity among the DSP men who took part as each walked down the corridors checking out the other’s facial growth status. By the end of the month, we had a plethora of taches - the Handle-bars, the Manchurians, the Mariachis and of course the Magnums. Needless to say, the gala dinner and dance held at the end of November was a great excuse for all participants to come in fancy dress in tandem with their taches. 

The event was held at Embankment where the amount raised for the entire month was tallied up and awards were given out to the best taches and best fancy dress. The DSP entourage came dressed, amongst others, as the Village People! The girls even came as female counterparts of the Village People. The enthusiasm for dressing-up was contagious and made the event a huge success, so much so that there’s now talk to make fancy dress an annual event in the DSP social calendar!

Derivatives and Structured Products

It has been a month now since I qualified into Derivatives and Structured Products (DSP)! And how quickly time flies when you haven’t been keeping track of it!

Since coming back to DSP after spending 4 weeks away on qualification leave, I have been catapulted into my new position as a newly-qualified associate in the group. I have been working on a fund-linked product with a partner and a managing associate, for a client that we are building new relations with. I am also drafting documents for a property derivative (the first of its kind!).

Despite not having done anything similar as a trainee, I was surprised by how quickly I was picking things up in comparison. I had reservations about making the transition from trainee to associate. I wasn’t sure if I was ready to be let loose in the legal world yet! However, subconsciously, things were beginning to “click” into place for me - among other things, I was understanding the structure of the deals better, I was reading documents with better understanding and my drafting had improved.

As for working hours, I probably am working longer days because now I am responsible for my deal instead of being responsible for my isolated task (as a trainee would be). However, the biggest and probably best difference I have noticed about being an associate is the luxury of really being able to plan my own time and fit other things in!

Until next time…

Capital Markets Retreat

The Capital Markets Retreat was a weekend event that took place in Frankfurt at the end of September. And as a newly qualified solicitor, I was invited to go. The retreat was a good opportunity for all the capital markets lawyers from the various European offices to meet and bond with each other. Even the lawyers from the New York office (despite not being European) made the effort to attend!

The retreat was a good mix of fun and work. In the morning, we were given talks by the various capital market practice heads on the group’s annual performance. We also broke out into small group sessions to discuss case studies on commonly-encountered scenarios. Each small group had at least two partners leading the discussion in a relaxed environment. In the afternoon, we were treated to a treasure hunt around the city. In order to ensure that we had the opportunity to meet our colleagues in the other offices, each group had an even mix of lawyers from different offices. Being lawyers, everyone’s competitive side naturally emerged - it was interesting to see how each group of lawyers interpreted the various tasks to score the maximum points possible! The evening’s activities did not pale in comparison. We had a sumptuous 3-course gala dinner followed by a disco to end the night. If there was an occasion where you wanted to catch the partners with their hair down, this would be it! It was definitely reassuring to know that they know how to work hard and play hard.

My first entry

It still hasn't sunk in. The fact that I am actually qualified as a Solicitor in England and Wales!

I remember my first day at Linklaters as clear as if it were yesterday. I stepped into reception and had my photo taken for my security pass. Looking at the me from two years ago, I cannot help but scrutinise the "before" and the "after". In the process of the two-year training contract I’ve learnt such an incredible amount - and I can’t believe how quickly the time has passed! My 4 seats were in capital markets and the corporate group in London and capital markets in Singapore (which was a lot of fun!).

I’ve qualified into Derivatives and Structured Products (DSP), one of our Capital Markets groups, where I spent the final seat of my training contract. The Partners and Associates knew that I wanted to qualify into this seat and I feel that I was already treated, to some extent, like a junior associate and given really good work throughout the seat, so in a way it feels as if the transition has occurred over the last 6 months rather than being a sudden change.

Since qualifying, I have been whisked away to attend a global finance course to hone my technical skills as a derivatives lawyer - it was packed full of good stuff. I suspect my notes and the course materials will end up being my Bible during my many times of need as an NQ (“Newly Qualified”); just because I’ve qualified doesn't mean the learning stops! I don't mean to sound like a nerd, but the course itself is very probably the best training any new finance lawyer can get. Partners and Managing Associates take time out from their busy schedules to give presentations and more importantly, share their valuable work experience on the various course topics.

I’m really excited to be attending the Capital Markets Retreat in Frankfurt this coming weekend. It will be great to spend time with everybody and bond with the group now that I’m an Associate amongst them!

Till next time, and with plenty of gossip from the Retreat!