Emma Clark

Emma studied Law at LSE and graduated in 2006. She completed the Linklaters-specific LPC at the College of Law in 2007 and joined Linklaters in March 2008. She was a third seat trainee in the Energy & Infrastructure, Project Finance Group when she worked on Zorlu’s Rotor Elektrik Project.

Knowing what to expect.

I was part of the first intake to do the Linklaters firm-specific Legal Practice Course (LPC) at the College of Law. So, rather than being nervous as I walked into Linklaters on my very first day, I was actually really looking forward to catching up with everyone I’d met on the LPC. The great thing about already knowing the trainees in your intake, and the intake ahead, is that you already have a support network in place before your career has even begun.

Working on groundbreaking transactions.

I joined Linklaters for the opportunity to work on groundbreaking transactions but I really didn’t expect to be working on them so soon. I was part of the team set to work on the first-ever internationally financed wind farm in Turkey – a transaction that would also see, for the very first time, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development lend money to a project of this kind. Linklaters acted on behalf of three multilateral agencies and two commercial banks in this €130 million transaction, all hoping to be part of the multi-sourced finance solution for a 135 MW onshore independent wind power project in the Osmaniye region in Turkey.

I felt that I achieved so much during this transaction. Indeed, simply reaching the point of signing in the market conditions at the time was an achievement in itself. However, once it was completed, the deal set a benchmark for the market in Turkey and, on a more personal note, improved my client relationship skills, deal management skills and raised my confidence no end.

Dinner in Istanbul.

One of the highlights of the transaction was the opportunity to visit Istanbul. As a representative of Linklaters, I was also invited to a four-course celebratory dinner with clients and other lawyers. The dinner was in a beautiful hotel on the bank of the Bosphorus – and I was staying in an equally stunning hotel just a bit further up the river. I was there for one week in total. I’m now looking forward to a secondment for six months to our Amsterdam office where I’ll be working in the Corporate department.

Learning on my feet.

The level of responsibility you get as a trainee at Linklaters is often more than you expect. I’ve had a great deal of client contact and some incredibly fast and steep learning experiences. When a deal goes crazy, having a supportive team around you is really important, and Linklaters provides that. I came here to get exposure to the most challenging, complex deals – and that’s exactly what I’m experiencing.