Why did you decide to become an M&A lawyer?
For the buzz, the teamwork, strategic problem solving, and intensive client contact – the opportunity to really embed relationships through a deal.
Can you describe a time when something didn’t go according to plan career/deal-wise and what you learnt from it?
A structuring issue was identified late in the day on a deal I was working on. We found a route through by having lawyers on all sides brainstorming together. Trying to fix complex structuring issues requires many heads and constructive engagement – do not sit on your own trying to solve it!
What are your top tips for those looking to become M&A partners?
It’s a marathon not a sprint so, make sure you enjoy life along the way!
How do you think practising M&A law is going to change in the coming years?
As a single parent with two small people in my life, I would really like to see the way we practise M&A adapt to enable lawyers to spend more time with their families (or indeed, whatever they would like to do in their free time). Covid proved that deal-doing can be adapted when necessary, ie to allow deals to be executed entirely remotely. Sadly, Covid also exacerbated the ‘always on’ culture; a culture which is not conducive to a long career in the law, in my view, and we are losing some excellent lawyers from the profession as a result. Resolving that issue is far from straightforward, in particular given the markets-driven nature of public M&A, but where there’s a will, there must be a way. Perhaps a combination of the following might start to move the dial (other ideas welcome!): careful team structuring; consultation with co-advisers around project management; a willingness and ability to be open about commitments outside of work; and understanding from clients.