When I joined Baker McKenzie, my first seat was in Real Estate. I started working with a team of experts on financing several high-end hotels in locations such as Paris, Berlin and Milan.

Working with a large, multinational investment fund was challenging, so a strong work ethic was essential. I often drew on the experiences and skills I learned during my gap year in Shanghai and previous work in recruitment. These helped me to embrace the client’s specific ways of working.

Being involved with such broad yet complex work helped me develop my knowledge and skills. I was able to use these during my next opportunity, which was a secondment to a mainstream apparel group acquiring several luxury fashion houses.

Collectively, our team advised the company’s vice president on property-related costs and obstacles. For my part, it was invaluable to form relationships of this nature so early in my career. Building my network in a sophisticated corporate environment taught me what businesses want from their lawyers in a variety of situations.

Our relationship with this client has gone from strength to strength, and though I’m back with the Firm, I was invited to attend their International Women’s Day event. That’s a point of pride for me.