my story

Ed Belam
Senior Associate, Employment

I studied modern history and politics at university. I didn’t know back then that I would want to be an employment lawyer. After I had done my first summer vacation scheme (a week in the employment team of a London firm) though, my mind was made up. Marriott Harrison is a great place to be an employment lawyer (amongst other things) and the type of work we do here reminds me every day why I chose to be an employment lawyer.

Marriott Harrison isn’t hierarchical, and on any different day you can guarantee that there will be trainees sitting next to partners in our open plan ‘hot desk’ office. Trainees get a lot of responsibility at Marriott Harrison, and they are really treated as part of the team from day one.

As a senior associate in the employment team my day-to-day practice involves a lot of different types of work. Some days I’ll be helping the corporate team with the employment aspects of an acquisition that is soon to complete, some days I will be working on a piece of high-profile litigation in the Employment Tribunal for an employer client, and other days I might be helping an individual who is having a tough time at work.

I have been involved with trainee recruitment at the firm for a number of years. I enjoy investing time in our trainees and junior associates, and I find it really rewarding to see people grow throughout their careers.

I love coming to work and at Marriott Harrison no two days are the same. I work with some really interesting clients, and I like every one of my colleagues. It’s the right balance, and in my view it’s a combination that you don’t get elsewhere in the City.

Harry Peel
Senior Associate, Real Estate

Having grown up within a legal family and enjoyed analytical-based subjects at school, such as history, philosophy and economics, that led me to studying law with politics at undergraduate level.

After graduating, I was fortunate to be offered a training contract relatively quickly. The training contract was intense and varied as I gained exposure to several different practice areas (including an in-house commercial client secondment). Ultimately though, I really enjoyed transactional work and my final seat in Real Estate, so that naturally steered me to qualify into that practice area at the end of my training.

Having then gained a few years post qualification experience at my previous firm, I knew I wanted a new challenge and to join a firm where I would have greater responsibility, autonomy and exposure to a more diverse range of clients within Real Estate. Marriott Harrison was able to offer me that.

Since joining Marriott Harrison, the firm has grown from strength to strength, not only in size, but also in terms of the quality of people and culture. There is encouragement at all levels to be entrepreneurial, develop existing and potential client relations, and get involved with all parts of the business.

Recently, I was delighted to be promoted to Senior Associate and am enjoying the added responsibilities which that role brings (within both the Real Estate team and the wider firm). In such a role, the firm’s commitment to your development continues and you increase your understanding of how the firm is run on a day-to-day basis with the aim of being a key member of the firm moving forward.

Kimberley Lam’s Descamps
Associate, Venture Capital

When I began my higher education, I was not set on pursuing law. With an undergraduate degree in International Business and a major in Law, I sought a role that would combine my interest in commercial work with the intellectual challenge of law. I knew I wanted a career that was fast-paced, dynamic, and offered continuous learning opportunities. However, it was not until I joined Marriott Harrison as a paralegal that I realised I had found the perfect fit.

As a trainee, being part of a smaller firm and therefore trainee cohort has meant gaining hands-on experience from day one. You are quickly trusted with substantial responsibility, and you are given the opportunity to work closely on transactions, typically having an overview of the entire deal. I thrive in environments where I can take ownership of my work, learn by doing and being exposed to a wide range of legal and commercial challenges. At Marriott Harrison, this has been my environment, and the firm’s friendly and collaborative culture has made the experience even more enjoyable and fulfilling.

During my training contract, I discovered an enthusiasm for venture capital. The opportunity to work with innovative companies which are shaping our future and the fast-paced nature of the work immediately appealed to me. I also had the invaluable experience of going on secondment to one of our VC clients shortly after qualifying, which gave me insight into the client’s perspective and deepened my understanding of the industry.

Marriott Harrison has not only provided me with the tools to grow as a solicitor but has also continuously supported my professional development. The firm’s commitment to investing in its people - through both hands-on learning and mentorship from partners - has shaped my career in ways I could not have imagined when I first joined Marriott Harrison.

Will Bone
Trainee

During my law degree, I developed an avid interest in contract and company law which quickly led to me gravitating towards pursuing a legal career focused on corporate finance. This acted as a foundation for my training contract applications where I wished to pursue a firm that possessed leading expertise in areas such as Venture Capital, but also provided a supportive and close-knit community to offer the best possible environment to learn and develop. Marriott Harrison fits this criteria perfectly.

My affinity for the firm was quickly reinforced by the Summer Vacation Scheme where I was given first-hand experience of how the firm operates. The firm’s breadth of knowledge and level of individual expertise was immediately apparent but uniquely combined with a focus on providing bespoke solutions for their clients. The ethos of providing opportunities to engage with interesting and significant client matters combined with a cooperative atmosphere from all levels of the firm cemented my decision to join Marriott Harrison.

Now, having just completed my first full seat in Banking and Insolvency, I am certain I have made the right choice. During the past 6 months, I have been fully immersed in the team’s work whether that is by drafting and negotiating security documents with opposing solicitors or being able to network through attending conferences.

The firm’s positive attributes extend beyond its daily business with an equal focus on supporting the wider community. Having previously played an active role in charitable societies at university, I was keen to fully participate in the firm’s multiple initiatives geared towards tackling social issues.

Therefore, through the amalgamation of the firm’s personal desire to see you develop, combined with an erudite legal knowledge and philanthropic commitments, I am truly excited to be part of the Marriott Harrison team.

Ian Morris
Partner, Corporate

My route to joining Marriott Harrison was a little unusual. Having started my own law firm at the age of 30, I wanted to get back to being a transactional lawyer at a city law firm whilst still young enough to be able to do so.

I chose Marriott Harrison because I saw in it an entrepreneurial culture that was very important to me because of my background.

Having been with Marriott Harrison for 18 months now I can confirm that it was the right choice. Marriott Harrison does have a strong entrepreneurial and can-do culture. It also has bright, hard-working lawyers that I have enjoyed collaborating with. I have found Marriott Harrison to be very open to new ideas and new ways of working which means that anyone joining Marriott Harrison who wants to make a difference is given the space to make those changes.

I have found that being a partner in a city law firm compared to a regional law firm has created some transaction opportunities for me that would not have been available to me at my old firm.

I have no regrets about joining Marriott Harrison and now hope to be with Marriott Harrison until my retirement.

Ivana Yuen
Trainee

As I progressed through my law degree, I became increasingly drawn towards a legal career that allowed me to work in the venture capital and start-up space. After becoming president of the entrepreneur’s society at my university and completing a legal internship at a high-growth company, I knew that I wanted to help innovative companies with their legal concerns as they grew and exited. As someone who prefers to learn by doing, I also knew that I wanted significant responsibility and client-facing opportunities during my period of training. With a leading corporate practice, a particular excellence in advising investors and cutting-edge companies, and a small trainee intake, Marriott Harrison was a stand-out firm for me.

My affinity to the firm solidified after my vacation scheme. I was asked what areas of work I was interested in and was surprised to be offered the opportunity to gain experience in those areas. I felt a uniquely close-knit culture and a genuine attentiveness to fostering a work environment where everyone’s opinion mattered equally, with trainees' suggestions being incorporated into decisions for the firm. Marriott Harrison’s commitment to its team spirit was clear to me since even as a future trainee I was invited to the firm’s Christmas and summer parties.

From assisting on an IPO to amending an employment settlement agreement to researching the application of a US judgment in the UK, I was given an unparalleled variety of tasks in different practice areas during my vacation scheme. I am eager to be challenged further throughout my training contract.

Cham Mikhaeil
Trainee

I was drawn to the idea of studying law after partaking in numerous Model UN conferences where I interpreted legislation towards different goals. During my time at university, I enjoyed being thrust into new areas of debate throughout my legal studies, which expanded my knowledge in other disciplines such as politics, philosophy, economics and business. This intellectual variety is something I wanted to carry forward in my career.

During my vacation scheme at Marriott Harrison, I was fascinated by the firm’s broad range of clients in each practice area, from market-leading funds to innovative founders. This variety provides numerous developmental opportunities that trainees would not usually be exposed to in a single seat. What accentuates these opportunities further is the firm’s horizontal organisation and collegiality as it allows trainees to learn directly from senior lawyers in a way no other firms have shown themselves to be. For example, during my vacation scheme, the Managing Partner invited me to attend a conference call for a deal and sat with me afterwards in the kitchen with a printed version of the agreement to discuss the deal structure and the main negotiated points. Upon numerous interactions of the sort with other fee earners, I knew I wanted to train at Marriott Harrison.

So far in my training contract, I have worked on numerous case proceedings, arbitrations, mediations, management buyouts, listings, funding rounds, option grants and corporate advisory matters. Most of these matters included teams of 2-4 people, and I was able to take on high levels of responsibility and receive feedback along the way to better my skillset as a lawyer in training. The relationships I built with the teams throughout these matters made my confidence grow, and I look forward to being thrust into new client relationships and facing new legal concerns every day.

Fran Spooner
Partner, Venture Capital

I have been with Marriott Harrison for nearly 14 years, having completed a Vacation Scheme and Training Contract at the firm and worked my way through the ranks from associate to senior associate to partner in the corporate team, now sitting in the VC sub-group.

Throughout the Vacation Scheme and Training Contract, I found that the people at Marriott Harrison were genuine, friendly, fun, open and collaborative. The work was exciting and varied – I was immediately made to feel welcome as part of the team and was given real work to do. Whilst the training contract was, as you’d expect, challenging with a steep learning-curve, I worked hard and made life-long friends – we were all in it together, along with the associates and partners who treated the trainees as an integral part of the team.

Now as a partner, I am shaping my future with support and encouragement from the firm. We have, and always have had, a family feel to the firm – this becomes even more important when you need to step up into a new, more senior role with all the changes that come with it. I have the freedom to keep building my practice focussing on female founders, tech and social impact / purpose driven companies, and investors into those companies, and, at the same time, to try to make an impact on other aspects of the firm as a new partner with a voice that is listened to and respected.

I have been reflecting recently on the reasons I have stayed with the firm for so long – and in that time, having been called by recruiters, seeing my colleagues and friends leave to go in-house or work for larger firms, and considering my options. There are pros and cons to all workplaces. For me, Marriott Harrison is a place for independent people to come together to work hard on interesting, challenging and exciting matters in a non-hierarchical, friendly environment that encourages people to get involved in all aspects of the business. I don’t think I could find that anywhere else!

Callum Castling
Trainee

I began thinking about a career in law while studying History at Bristol University where I was interested in the interaction of law with modern British history.

I then began to apply for firms and while narrowing down my application options, I filtered my searches based on firms with a small trainee intake, a strong corporate presence and a good firm culture. Marriott Harrison was a firm that kept popping up.

I decided to apply when my close friend from University recommended the firm to me, having done a vacation scheme at the firm the year before. The thing that stuck out in her mind was how welcoming everyone had been, and how much responsibility vacation scheme students were given. After attending the vacation scheme that summer, I could see that she was not wrong.

The partners were friendly, welcoming and easily approachable, helped by the informal nature of the open plan office. I noticed the collaborative and sociable atmosphere around the office and the close-knit group of trainees, who seemed to be genuine friends as well as colleagues.

After receiving my offer, the nature of Marriott Harrison was highlighted to me as I was invited to trainee drinks and the Christmas and Summer parties before my start date.

Now as a second-year trainee, I have experienced first-hand the culture of Marriott Harrison. I am given a lot of responsibility on transactions where I am trusted to interact with clients and take control of important tasks.

Zeki Turgut
Trainee

My interest in law began with binge-watching Suits.

As much as I’ve enjoyed the show, the idea of a large trainee intake never really appealed to me. I wanted a more personalised experience, where the gap between me, my development, and the client was less a valley and more of a stepping stone others with more experience could help me cross.

With fewer trainees at Marriott Harrison, I get more one-on-one time with mentors, which is accelerating my learning across the board. Within the first few weeks of my seat in the corporate department, I’ve been brought onto a variety of live matters and transactions, met clients in person, and been given plenty of exposure to different areas of the law. Naturally, it’s a good sign that the trainees I briefly worked with during my vacation scheme are the associates I am working with today.

Overall, it’s a fantastic firm with good people. I’m eager to learn, grow, and build my career here, surrounded by supportive colleagues who encourage me to make the law both my profession and my passion.

Hermione Buttery
Trainee

As a Classics graduate, I naturally gravitated towards a career in law, feeling that my strengths lay in linguistic analysis and presenting arguments on paper. After graduating, I gained experience as a paralegal in the commercial dispute resolution department at another firm, before making the final decision that a career in law was right for me.

With paralegal experience, I had a clear idea of what I was looking for in a place to train – I wanted direct access to good work and real responsibility as early as possible. Marriott Harrison is a specialist firm with a leading reputation in the M&A and venture capital space. It immediately appealed to me as a place to train, offering both good quality work and the benefits of a smaller headcount in terms of early responsibility and client contact.

As a trainee, you can expect to be kept on your toes. Since walking through the door at Marriott Harrison, no day has been the same – one day I’m drafting a settlement agreement; the next, I’m researching legislative changes in employment law or attending a tribunal hearing. Fortunately, I’ve also felt supported and a part of the firm since day one, making what might have been unsettling, instead exciting and stimulating. From the approachable attitude of its partners to its non-hierarchical, hot-desking policy, Marriott Harrison offers a genuinely collaborative culture in which all your colleagues are happy to help.

Toby Ferrison
Trainee

Before studying law, I completed an integrated master’s degree in Natural Sciences, with a specific focus on modelling the climate and hydrological cycle of Titan, Saturn’s largest moon. During the final few months of my degree, I began working part-time for a London barristers’ chambers which truly opened my eyes to what a legal career could offer. I soon realised that law could provide the technical challenge I enjoyed in science, along with a dynamic, social and impactful environment that I had been looking for. I therefore decided to swap the laws of thermodynamics for the Companies Act and ventured into the legal world…

I initially had my eyes set on becoming a barrister, and after winning a tax competition, I completed a mini-pupillage at a London tax chambers. I enjoyed the complex and creative nature of the work but decided that I wanted a position placing a greater emphasis on teamwork, in a firm with a specialist element but also providing the opportunity to learn across an interesting array of practice areas.

With its midsized headcount, high quality work and aspirational culture, I applied for a vacation scheme at Marriott Harrison and haven’t looked back since. It’s not always mentioned at law school, but working with people whom you respect and get along with goes a long way to positively shaping your experience as a trainee. Throughout my vacation scheme, everyone was prepared to give up their time to answer my questions and were genuinely interested in helping me progress during the week. The lack of hierarchal structure provides a unique opportunity to learn and gain insights from some of the best in the business, right from the off, including as a vac schemer. It’s not all work though – the firm holds regular social and sporting events, and there are plenty of opportunities to get involved with charity work throughout your time at the firm.

Now, after only 2 months into my seat in the Banking and Restructuring department, I have been directly involved in numerous deals, including one of the firm's largest ever refinancings. The close-knit team is highly capable and immeasurably knowledgeable, which, when combined with the practical, hands-on approach to training, has provided me with the key ingredients to learn and develop quickly. Everyone at the firm has been especially welcoming and supportive and I couldn’t think of a better place to complete my training contract. And besides, being able to play in the MH Golf Day during my first week wasn’t a bad introduction either!