What attracted you to join the firm as a seasonal clerk and then return as a graduate?
On both counts, I was very aware of the drive and determination of ABL, as a mid-sized firm, to punch above its weight in the market by taking on smart, entrepreneurial clients and their most complex matters. I knew that the firm placed enough trust into its new lawyers to put them in front of clients from “day one” and would give me real ownership over my work.
I also appreciated that the team placed real value on how people were developing themselves outside of the law, be it through hobbies, involvement in the community, or family – all of which helps you to be more well-rounded and empathetic as a practitioner.
Did you always plan to specialise in commercial law? What drew you to this practice area?
Not at all! It’s an interest I developed through exposure to complex problems requiring commercially intelligent solutions related to founders, shareholders, capital and business.
I enjoy being close to the action on the lifecycle of businesses and find it exciting to work closely with an entrepreneurially minded client base. It’s an opportunity to understand the commercial drivers of their decisions, alongside the legal ones so that you are able to play a holistic advisory role.
In the commercial team at ABL, we’re fortunate to have the opportunity to work on a breadth of matters – from succession planning and wealth management to corporate governance, shareholder activism, M&A, capital markets and private equity.
I enjoy being close to the action on the lifecycle of businesses and find it exciting to work closely with an entrepreneurially minded client base. It’s an opportunity to understand the commercial drivers of their decisions, alongside the legal ones so that you are able to play a holistic advisory role.
What would you say are the similarities and differences between your day-to-day work at ABL with the experience of your contemporaries at other firms?
I’ve found the flatter structure at ABL that I mentioned earlier, where grads are working with partners and clients directly from “day one”, is quite unusual in the market. It doesn’t suit everyone but if you do want to take on that responsibility early in your career, you’re encouraged and supported to do so. I think it’s part of ABL’s point of difference and attracts the type of grad ABL is keen to recruit.
ABL’s public interest practice is also very special, where there’s a real emphasis on applying our learning, experience and skills to leave a positive impact on the community – not as a box-ticking exercise, but because it’s the right thing to do.
