January 2025: Alexandra Wingrove is an associate in the Debt Finance practice in Dubai. She undertook her training contract in London and qualified in Dubai, after completing her final seat here. Read on to discover how she persisted to realise her dream of moving to this exciting city as a lawyer.
I've always wanted to work in Dubai
I did my training contract in London but working in Dubai was always my goal. I think it's one of the most exciting, fast-growth, dynamic places in the world and I wanted to be a part of it. The great thing about a global firm is that there's always a region or practice area that's accelerating – and the Middle East certainly felt like the right place to start my career.
It took me three attempts to get a vacation scheme at White & Case
The first time I applied, as a non-law student, I didn't have any commercial awareness – I didn't really understand the work that the Firm did. I took that feedback onboard and started to really read more widely.
As a non-law undergraduate, I hadn't been fully aware of the open days or Insight schemes on offer, so that made it hard to stand out. Eventually, I secured a vacation scheme at another firm, got some work experience at a law firm in Malaysia and finally got a vacation scheme and then a training contract offer from White & Case. Every year I worked hard to refine my application and my commercial awareness.
I was persistent because I knew this was the firm for me
The guaranteed overseas seat was always a big draw for me. I had worked previously in South Korea and Spain and have family in different parts of the world. Living and working abroad has always been my goal. For me, White & Case was the only firm of the same caliber as the top London 'Magic Circle' firms as well as the biggest US firms in London, so it was always my first choice.
Be upfront about your ambitions and goals
From my first day in London, I was open about my overseas ambitions and my interest in doing my overseas seat in Dubai. This is a Firm where that sort of candour is welcomed – I felt supported to pursue this ambition, starting with the overseas seat and ending with the chance to join the Debt Finance team here and make the move permanent.
I've never worked on a single-jurisdiction matter
With every transaction I'm involved in, I experience the reality of cross-border work. Everything that I do includes working with colleagues and clients in other countries. In my case, that often includes other GCC countries, as well as the London and European offices.
The lifestyle here is everything I wanted
I love the weather – it's a real mood booster for me to see blue skies every day. I also value the safety and security Dubai offers for young women. There are also so many expats in Dubai, so people are naturally keen to be sociable and meet up. I've found it easy to make friends and build strong connections here within the firm and outside.
As an ambitious associate, it's good to work somewhere that's on the up
There is a real dynamism here in the UAE, in terms of work. As a young lawyer, it's great to be building my career in a place where there are a lot of opportunities – to learn from impressive senior lawyers who know the region well, to grow with clients, build my network, and to take on interesting work that requires an innovative approach. It's stimulating and energizing.
When you're part of a global firm, you have a home everywhere
I like that if I'm back in London, I can book a desk and just log on and carry on my work. And of course, I get to see familiar faces from my trainee cohort and other connections I made during my training contract in the London office. I feel part of the White & Case family no matter where I am.
