Meet Isabella Lewis | A&O Shearman careers

Introduction

University: University of Oxford

Degree: Jurisprudence (Law)

Year of qualification: 2015

Position: Senior associate

Department: Finance (Debt finance)

Pronouns: She/her

Why solicitor, not barrister?

I made the decision to become a solicitor while I was at university and spending a lot of time studying alone. It made me realise that I really wanted a team environment and I felt that becoming a solicitor would be the best way for me to achieve this.

How did you decide which firms to apply to?

I didn’t know much about the world of law initially, so a lot of research was involved! In particular, I attended law firm events at university, applied for in-office schemes, researched online and spoke to other people.

What kind of legal or non-legal experience did you have before applying, and how did it help when you were making applications?

I’d completed weekend and holiday jobs. I’d also spent a few days shadowing, such as with a solicitor in my local town and with a barrister at Southampton Crown Court. I also applied for and participated in a first-year scheme at a City law firm.

Which departments did you train in?

I trained in our London real estate finance, intellectual property litigation and insurance teams. My final seat was in our Paris banking team.

Please outline your area of expertise. What might you do in a typical day?

My key area of focus is trade and commodities finance, and I previously focused on real estate finance. On any given day my main activity might be drafting, reviewing, negotiation or a signing process. Trade and commodities finance is a very varied area, so this might involve a loan, a non-loan-based financing or a trade instrument and might be transactional, due diligence or advisory work. I’m also a trainer for a trainee.

Please discuss a current/recent specific deal/case, outlining your role in the matter.

I recently worked on a ‘borrowing base’ facility, which provides financing based on inventory levels. My key tasks included drafting and negotiating the facility agreement, supervising the drafting of the security agreements by other team members and then negotiating these. A number of other documents were also required, such as fee letters, corporate authorisations and legal opinions, which I worked on. Several discussions over calls and emails were required to negotiate the suite of documents needed for the transaction; we then completed the signing and completion process.

How involved are you with business development and promoting the firm?

Business development is very important and it’s great to be involved. For me, one of the keys to proactive business development has been building on things I already enjoy doing that can fit within that. For example, I like sharing my knowledge, so speaking at conferences, training courses and at training sessions for clients has been a great way to incorporate something I already enjoy into my business development work. There are also occasional treats - client or awards dinners, or even going to see Coldplay at Wembley!

What advice do you have for budding solicitors who are contemplating a career in law?

Take one step at a time and start early - that way you give yourself plenty of time to think about what you’re learning and can make the most of events and other opportunities, rather than doing all your research from behind a keyboard. Listen to other people around you.

What is the wider culture like?

There’s plenty going on, from regular sports sessions, ski trips, music and art, to cultural affiliation groups and firm-wide events.

How often as a trainee were you communicating directly with clients?

All the teams I sat with were very keen to let me be fully involved and to give me opportunities to run with a task. I was invited to meetings, negotiations, attendances at court and post-transaction celebrations, to name a few. There are lots of little pieces of useful information that you can pick up by listening to what other people are saying and asking questions of the team around you, and by offering to help even with the smallest task.

How is technology changing the way you work?

In a nutshell - for the better! When I was a trainee, we manually wrote and managed transaction checklists on lengthy Word documents. Now we do that through a specialist data site called Legatics. There are lots of new tools becoming available and keeping up with that can feel like a challenge. However, once you’ve found something you like, it can make such an impact on your working day. I’ve started using A&O Shearman’s Harvey AI tool as well.

What are you reading at the moment?

My latest is The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck.

"Attention to detail is one of the classic skills/strengths mentioned. I believe that the key skills are the ones that ensure you’re always learning and trying new challenges though, such as curiosity, willingness, adaptability and teachability. Both in my own work and as a trainer, those are the skills I think bring the greatest rewards."
Isabella Lewis SENIOR ASSOCIATE

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