Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background?
I studied law at the University of Exeter (LLB) and UCL (LLM). I spent two years as a paralegal after graduation, first at a small City firm and then with HM Treasury’s in-house legal department. Following that I spent one year regulating the UK’s big deposit-taking banks as a financial regulator at the Bank of England.
What inspired you to apply for this role with Goodwin?
After several vacation schemes and open days, I wanted to join a City firm with a strong offering in private equity, investment funds and tech & life sciences. There are quite a few in that category, but none with Goodwin’s unique structure or client base. For example, Goodwin has a critical mass of entrepreneurial clients across its business units. Examples include Moderna in the biotech space, and TA Associates on the private equity side. This means that there is a higher volume of more varied deals on offer than exclusively working for the larger institutional clients. In turn this contributes to the firm’s entrepreneurial feel. Goodwin has also recognised that such clients often require advice over their full lifecycle and therefore has geared its business towards collaboration. For example, the firm has created PropTech and PropSci, which focus on the natural synergies between different departments. I found this refreshing when researching the firm as it was substantially different to other similar firms.
What excites you most about becoming a Trainee?
Goodwin’s growth trajectory.
A cursory glance at the UK legal press will reveal that Goodwin is driving profitable revenue growth in London. That necessarily brings with it opportunities. For example, Goodwin’s new trainee client secondment, and the firm’s litigation team in London which has now takes on trainees.
What do you find most interesting with the sector?
The sheer variety of clients and level of trust that senior business leaders place in their lawyers compared with other advisors when making commercial decisions.
What has your experience of the culture been so far?
Goodwin’s culture is special. I recently attended Goodwin’s summer garden party with several other future trainees. It was my first ‘real life’ experience of the firm since attending the 2020 summer vacation scheme which was flawlessly executed online due to COVID. The entire London office attended the event, so it was a fantastic opportunity to meet our future colleagues before starting the training contract. The event was also attended by several members of the firm’s executive management team, some of whom had flown in from the US. I recognise that it is difficult to describe a firm’s culture in words, but the event was not dissimilar to a family barbeque! Everyone was refreshingly straightforward and approachable. And despite the firm’s recent headcount growth in London, it is obvious that colleagues take time to invest in professional relationships with each other. I am of the opinion that this is a unique product of a firm whose lawyers have come from all over the City, fostering a certain diversity of thought.
How important is diversity to you and what is Goodwin doing in this space at the moment?
As a state-school educated, mixed-race black male of Windrush heritage, assessing the diversity credentials of law firms was an essential part of my research. I am a member of several diversity organisations, including Bright Network’s Black Heritage Network and have been involved with Aspiring Solicitors since 2014.
The fact that black lawyers are severely underrepresented in the legal profession is at the front of my mind. However, Goodwin is actively engaged in efforts to bring about lasting change within and outside the firm. For example, the firm’s Aspiring Solicitors open days, and highly active Committee on Racial and Ethnic Diversity, in addition to recently held firm-wide events such as conversations on anti-racism with Professor Ibram X Kendi.
Finally, any tips for anyone who’d like to apply for a role at Goodwin?
Enthusiasm goes a long way! Create opportunities for yourself by speaking to people. Apply for events and attend them having done your research. Know where the firm is heading in London. Be prepared to ask lots of questions. Goodwin’s lawyers might be busy people but do make sure to ask those burning questions before submitting your application. They will be more than happy to answer them!