Lawyer Work Life Balance

Wake up to women power

By Mark Goddard | February 10, 2009

I was filled with trepidation when first asked to write an article outlining my views around the subject of women forging a successful career in legal services while also raising a family.I have, when pressed in the past, resisted any personal visibility on this topic. I have a deeply held belief that each person does what is right for them and that those choices are no one else's business. Why am I sensitive to the issue? Well, I have five children, I am a partner at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, and have, over the past years both in social and work circumstances, been on the receiving end of a number of judgemental comments relating to my career priorities.

1 minute read

Styled to succeed

By Mark Goddard | February 4, 2009

The first day of any new job is a daunting prospect. When first impressions count for everything, looking the part matters. And while competition to stand out from the crowd is fierce, attracting attention for your sartorial sense may not be the best first step.So, what is the difference between 'smart business' and 'traditional business' - and just how do you tackle 'dress down Fridays'?General consensus among City firms is that dressing successfully boils down to creating a professional impression, of which your wardrobe is just one aspect. As Deborah Dalgleish, head of trainee recruitment at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, says, this means it is not just what you wear, but how you wear it: "From the clients' point of view, they can't always make a judgement on the legal advice you are giving them, so they judge you on how you come across in the office and your overall appearance."

1 minute read
Strength in numbers

By Mark Goddard | January 28, 2009

There are some people in this world who live life to the full and others who do not know when to say 'no'. I am trying to decide if I fall into the former or the latter. As a US securities partner at Simmons & Simmons, one would think that my day job keeps me occupied enough. In truth, it does, and then some. However, I think when you have a passion for something, that energy can be channelled to accomplish even more. Over the past few years I have been involved in two exciting projects, one rooted in the familiarity of US securities law and the other involving a journey into the realm of equality and diversity which has been unexpected, demanding and very rewarding.

1 minute read

Gauging the net worth

By Mark Goddard | January 21, 2009

There is a tendency to talk up the career benefits of online social networking. In this parallel universe, anyone serious about getting on in life has hundreds of career-enhancing Facebook contacts who they regale daily with tales from their carefully-tended blogs. This, supposedly, generates waves of business opportunities, coupled with many wonderful nights out, as boundaries between business and pleasure blur. The tech-savvy associate then completes their triumphant march to partnership with an ease unimaginable in the pre-internet age.This doesn't actually happen, right? While lawyers have been among the most enthusiastic social users of online networking - as illustrated by Allen & Overy's much-mocked ban in 2007 on staff using Facebook - it remains a rarity for the profession to use such tools to further their career.

1 minute read
A guiding light in corporate social responsibility

By Mark Goddard | January 14, 2009

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is becoming an increasingly serious business at UK law firms. Ad hoc sprees of well-intentioned do-gooding are out, replaced by projects carefully designed to make use of lawyers' skills. The London arm of Weil Gotshal & Manges, for example, assists human rights organisations monitor proceedings in the international criminal court in The Hague. Wragge & Co, meanwhile, gives free legal advice to local charities. And Weightmans runs a project providing work experience for the unemployed.All of this looks impressive on paper, but how does the modern CSR programme work in practice?

1 minute read

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