Matt Hannaford

What advice would you give to those starting out?

Be enthusiastic about what you are doing - if someone shows a genuine interest and commitment for the work, it really makes a strong impression on those around them.

I also think it's important to cultivate relationships with clients at all levels. Even if you are only dealing with more junior people to begin with, before long these people will have become the next generation of decision-makers. If you've built and maintained strong relationships over the years, it will very likely pay dividends.

Prior to Clyde & Co, you were working in a larger City firm. What attracted you here?

Over the years, I'd been involved in a number of transactions with Clyde & Co on the other side of the table. I also knew Clyde & Co's reputation for working very closely with its clients and having a real understanding of their businesses. Since joining, I've found this reputation to be well deserved.

There's an entrepreneurial spirit here and it's a place where people work hard at gaining industry as well as legal knowledge. Indeed, I believe that one of our biggest challenges in the future is keep hold of the things that make us different while still taking opportunities to grow and develop.

Would you recommend Clyde & Co as a firm in which to train?

Of course, but it's not one-size-fits-all - the culture and the areas of work may not be for everybody. However, for someone who is thinking about a career with one of the big international law firms and at the same time wants to work in a friendly yet challenging environment, I'd recommend it without hesitation.

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