Career History

Michael Lyons joined Clifford Chance after graduating with a degree in law from New College Oxford. After completing the legal practice course in 2003, and taking the opportunity to spend time abroad before starting work, Michael has been at the firm since February 2004. He has spent six months in the litigation department, six months in asset finance and is currently doing a six-month seat in real estate finance.

Why Clifford Chance?

My first contact with Clifford Chance came at a presentation in my second year. Like most, I was enticed more by the promise of free food, although when I decided to investigate the possibility of a career by attending open days and vacation schemes at a number of the City firms, I realised what set Clifford Chance apart. The personalities here are as varied as anywhere, but all share in the atmosphere that this is a successful, friendly and positive place to work. A career in law will always be a steep learning curve, and being surrounded by some of the most talented lawyers in the business means that there is a never-ending scope for personal development.

Rewarding and challenging work

I am currently a trainee in the real estate finance department, one of my four six-month seats before I qualify. The work here is both rewarding and challenging, and each day new issues present themselves for a solution. Creative thinking is definitely a necessary skill, whilst time management, written and verbal communication skills are requisite. The scope for good experience is massive and I have worked on a wide variety of matters including a headline commercial fraud claim while I was in litigation, an international aircraft financing whilst in asset finance, and the redevelopment of Barts Hospital in London, whilst in real estate finance.

The level of responsibility given to new trainees was surprising at first, and even a little nerve-racking, but the support available here - be it the advice of a partner or colleague, whatever the hour of day - means that even the most difficult issues are soon overcome. One of the first things that struck me most about Clifford Chance is the scale of its online resources. There is a phenomenal amount of electronic information available within the firm, which can make life very easy. I am told that more money is invested in the IT department alone than many firms invest altogether!

The firm also encourages pro bono work, and I have been involved in a case for the National Autistic Society, preparing for and attending a tribunal to help an autistic child receive the funding and support he needed. This is just one of many highly rewarding opportunities available, which also include offering free legal advice at local walk-in centres, and writing letters on behalf of the human rights lobby, Liberty.

A friendly and positive place

A lot is often said about working in a large firm and some applicants may be put off by the size of Clifford Chance. My experience, however, is that this is a very friendly place where people work together closely in teams and socialise just as hard. Departments regularly organise drinks evenings, weekend retreats and other events. There are also a number of events across the firm - I recently went sailing with about 100 people for a couple of days in Southampton. On a more daily basis, with so many people here, there are always trainees around willing to go for a coffee! When you add all this to the opportunities that are only available at a firm like Clifford Chance, such as the possibility to spend six months overseas within your first two years, it is easy to see why it is such a popular choice.

My next six months will hopefully be spent in one of Clifford Chance’s overseas offices, and I am looking forward to gaining experience in a new and completely different area of the firm.