Spending a period of time embedded with one of our clients is an opportunity to understand the value of what we do from a different perspective. We asked four different lawyers to reflect on their secondment experience.

1)    BEHIND CLOSED DOORS

“I’ve built on technical skills and market knowledge, but the exposure to the client’s inner workings has been just as important. This has given me valuable insight into what goes on behind closed doors and what exactly clients prioritize and value in their counsel.”

2)    IN AT THE DEEP END

“I was pretty nervous on day one, and the placement has been challenging but, as with all new adventures, you learn to adapt and the White & Case team has been extremely supportive, so I have never felt on my own or out of my depth.”

3)    A DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE

“Being part of an in-house team was very different and helped me see how the legal team fits into the operation overall and the pressures they operate under.”

4)    STEEP LEARNING CURVE

“The secondment was a steep learning curve and I was given a lot of responsibility and trust, but the in-house team guided me through and I also had great support from my colleagues at the Firm.”

5)    NEW WAYS OF WORKING

“I also had to get used to working in a much more open-plan office, which was great because it allowed me to really see how other people on the team worked, how they held conversations, worked with other departments and even how they work with other legal firms.”

6)    BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS

“The secondment was a fantastic way to get to know their internal procedures as well as building relationships with their investors and clients—something we don’t normally get the chance to do as an external counsel.”

7)    DEEPER UNDERSTANDING

“It was a chance to gain a better and deeper understanding of how global financial institutions operate and to develop my existing skills as a lawyer, while increasing my understanding of the client’s business and priorities.”

8)    PREPARED FOR ANYTHING

“The in-house legal team often have between six and eight live matters to handle at any one time. Queries could also come in from any part of the business, so you would have to be prepared to handle anything!”

9)    SEEING THE BIGGER PICTURE

“You need to work closely with external counsel and it’s also important to take a step back and look at the bigger picture of a matter—that’s where you can really add value. The days are intense, and you are always mindful that the business itself is your priority.”

10)    HIGH-PROFILE CASES

“I was lucky enough to complete my secondment at a very interesting time in the regulatory environment and that I got the chance to work on some high-profile, complex cases. It has helped me get a sense of what my clients want and how best I can deliver it to them.”