A Day in the Life of a Corporate Lawyer. From an Ex-Corporate Law Recruiter Who Spoke at Harvard
This article is written by Hassan Akram, the CEO of City Careers Coach. We help students enter the world’s most elite finance careers through our experience as elite finance recruiters. Hassan has spoken at Harvard, MIT, and Yale on this and writes in the Times of India on getting into elite careers. He’s recruited for elite corporate careers, including investment banks, corporate law firms, and venture capital funds. He has also interviewed 1,000+ professionals from Goldman Sachs, Kirkland & Ellis, and McKinsey. 100% of our clients are successful at the CV stage. 95% secure at least one corporate career. Our highest client starting salary is $180,000 at 21. We have an in-depth understanding of passing recruitment processes for elite, high-paying, and prestigious finance careers.
Check our case studies of clients securing offers in corporate law. Here’s a client from China with CCD at A level secure a vacation scheme at one of the world’s most elite firm, Ropes & Gray, here’s a client from also from Malaysia, securing multiple training contract offers, and here’s a client from Switzerland securing a training contract with the elite US law firm Sidley Austin
***This article is aimed towards university and MBA students looking to enter investment banking ***
As the CEO of City Careers Coach, my objective is to help students secure their dream positions in the world’s most elite finance careers. With my extensive experience as an elite finance recruiter and having had the honour of speaking at institutions like Harvard and MIT, I have recruited for top-tier investment banks, corporate law firms, and venture capital funds. Over the years, I have conducted interviews with more than 1,000 professionals from premier corporate law firms such as Latham & Watkins, Kirkland & Ellis, and Freshfields. In this article, I aim to provide a comprehensive look into the daily life of a corporate lawyer, drawing from the wealth of experience I’ve gained throughout my career.
Morning Routine: Laying the Groundwork for a Productive Day
A typical day for a corporate lawyer often begins early in the morning as they mentally and physically prepare for the demanding day ahead. This preparation may involve checking and responding to urgent emails, organizing their schedule, and setting priorities for the day. By starting their day with this level of organisation, corporate lawyers can effectively manage their time, address pressing issues that may have arisen overnight, and ensure a productive day ahead.
Client Meetings and Calls: Building Relationships and Understanding Needs
Throughout the day, a corporate lawyer will likely engage in multiple meetings and calls with clients to discuss various legal matters. These discussions can encompass contract negotiations, compliance issues, potential mergers and acquisitions, and other pressing concerns. These interactions play a crucial role in maintaining strong client relationships and ensuring that the clients’ legal needs are adequately addressed.
Research and Analysis: Staying Informed and Providing Expert Advice
Corporate lawyers dedicate a significant portion of their day to conducting thorough research and analysing complex legal matters. They must stay informed about the latest laws, regulations, and industry trends, and understand the potential impact of these changes on their clients’ businesses. This in-depth knowledge and understanding enable them to provide accurate, reliable, and informed advice to their clients.
Drafting and Reviewing Documents: The Backbone of Corporate Law
A key responsibility for corporate lawyers is to draft, review, and revise legal documents such as contracts, shareholder agreements, regulatory filings, and more. Meticulous attention to detail is critical in this process, as even seemingly minor errors can have significant consequences for clients. Corporate lawyers need to ensure that the documents they create and review are accurate, legally sound, and effectively address their clients’ needs.
Collaboration with Colleagues: A Team Effort for Complex Cases
Corporate lawyers often work collaboratively, joining forces with colleagues to tackle intricate legal issues and complete large-scale projects. This collaboration can take various forms, such as brainstorming sessions, strategy meetings, or joint drafting and review sessions. By pooling their expertise, resources, and knowledge, these legal professionals can provide the best possible service to their clients.
Evening and Late-Night Work: The Demanding Nature of Corporate Law
The life of a corporate lawyer is often characterised by long hours and high-pressure situations, as they must meet tight deadlines and manage substantial workloads. It is not uncommon for corporate lawyers to work late into the evening or even through the night to ensure their clients’ needs are met and their work meets the highest quality standards.
Continuous Professional Development: The Key to Success in Corporate Law
To excel in their field, corporate lawyers must consistently develop their skills and knowledge. This may involve attending industry events, participating in professional development courses, or staying informed about changes in laws and regulations that may impact their clients. By staying up-to-date and constantly improving their skills, corporate lawyers can remain at the forefront of their profession and provide the highest level of service to their clients.
Work-Life Balance: Managing the Challenges of a Demanding Career
Despite the demanding nature of a corporate lawyer’s daily life, it is essential for them to strike a balance between their professional and personal lives. This can involve setting boundaries, managing stress, and making time for self-care, hobbies, and family. By maintaining a healthy work-life balance, corporate lawyers can ensure their long-term success and well-being in the industry.
Networking and Building Connections: Expanding Your Professional Circle
Successful corporate lawyers understand the importance of networking and cultivating professional relationships. This can involve attending industry events, joining professional associations, and actively engaging with peers and mentors both online and offline. By building a strong professional network, corporate lawyers can enhance their career prospects, learn from the experiences of others, and access new opportunities.
In conclusion, the life of a corporate lawyer can be both challenging and rewarding. It requires dedication, intellectual rigour, strong interpersonal skills, and a commitment to providing the best possible service to clients. At City Careers Coach, we have an in-depth understanding of the recruitment processes for elite, high-paying, and prestigious finance careers, and we are proud to help aspiring corporate lawyers navigate their path to success.
Please visit our blog on The Times of India for guidance on entering elite careers: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/author/hassan-akram/
ABOUT US
At City Careers Coach, we have an in-depth understanding of the recruitment processes for elite, high-paying, and prestigious finance careers. We have helped countless clients secure positions in investment banks. With a 100% success rate at the CV stage, 95% of clients securing at least one corporate career, and our highest client starting salary being £150,000 at the age of 21, we can help you achieve your career goals.
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‘Really clear and structured frameworks. Genuinely world-leading. I’m a former private equity investor and was impressed by the depth of their knowledge for elite careers, such as private equity and venture capital. Can’t wait for them to come to HBS again.’
‘I honestly had never heard about City Careers Coach. But they honestly blew me away with the truly personalised nature of the programmes. I got spring weeks at investment banks, hedge funds, and I secured experience at a PE fund. I have a summer internship at an investment bank coming (BNP Paribas). I’m fairly confident I’ll convert this to a full-time offer through the firm’s internship conversion programme.’
‘City Careers Coach was incredibly helpful in my CV recruitment process. I had gathered useful pieces of recruitment information from various sources prior to meeting Hassan, but he was able to bring it all together to help me have a clear picture of what a good recruitment strategy looks like. Beyond being extremely knowledgeable, Hassan, the firm’s CEO, was incredibly flexible, friendly, and willing to help out in any way — I would highly recommend Hassan to anyone looking to break into elite finance careers.’
City Careers Coach is an international network of freelance finance recruiters. We are from investment banking, corporate law and private equity backgrounds. We provide premium, bespoke and personalised 1–1 career development programmes. These are for university students looking to enter elite corporate high-paying careers. We have an exceptionally strong track record. 100% of our clients pass CV stage. 95% of our clients secure at least one internship or graduate role. And our highest client starting salary is £150,000.
Check our case studies of clients securing offers in corporate law. Here’s a client from China with CCD at A level secure a vacation scheme at one of the world’s most elite firm, Ropes & Gray, here’s a client from also from Malaysia, securing multiple training contract offers, and here’s a client from Switzerland securing a training contract with the elite US law firm Sidley Austin
