Patrick Murphy

After qualifying, you went straight out to work in Dubai - what was that like?

It was a really interesting experience to work in a very different environment and to get an insight into a different business culture. From a legal perspective, the legislative system is based on civil law rather than the system of common law that we use in the UK. You gain experience of a very different way of litigating and I also started to appreciate how subtle cultural differences can lead to disputes in ways I hadn't encountered before.

Is there any advice you'd give to someone just starting a training contract?

Gain as much experience in different areas as you can. As my career develops, I've come to realise how valuable it is to have experience outside your my particular field.

You'll be expected to have a strong ‘get-up-and-go' quality - it's definitely a hands-on job where you have to show initiative rather than waiting to be told what to do.

Having worked in Dubai, I'd definitely recommend taking advantage of opportunities to travel and work in different environments - it's a challenge but it's also very exciting and rewarding.

What kind of skills do you think a Clyde & Co solicitor needs to have?

You need to be able to think clearly and to assimilate complex information quickly and in a productive manner. You also need to be commercially aware and understand your clients' businesses in order to respond to their needs.

Usually your clients will come from a non-legal background, so it's important to be able to express your solutions to them in a clear and useful way.

Last but certainly not least, it makes a really good impression to show that you're keen to be part of the team doing the work. The people you are working for, and with, will definitely appreciate this!

Can you achieve a good work/life balance?

Yes - there isn't a long-hours culture at Clyde & Co, although there are times when you might have to stay late to meet a deadline. It's also a very social place to work and there are lots of sports and other events to get involved with.

Would you recommend Clyde & Co as a good firm to train with?

Definitely. The quality of the work and the training programme is excellent. As a trainee, there is a wide range of seats both on the transactional and contentious side to experience before deciding where you want to qualify. There is also a certain cachet at having trained at one of the premier international firms.

Clyde & Co recruit to retain - that means they want you to stay for the long term and so they have a vested interest in your success right from the start.

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