We caught up with Summreen, a Trainee at Covington, to find out exactly what she does in a day. In this article, she takes us through her day to give an honest and exciting view of what awaits future Covington Trainees.
8.15am:
Working remotely in light of the global pandemic has highlighted the importance of keeping in touch with colleagues. Fortunately, the London Associate Advisory Committee (AAC) have a range of social activities organised on a weekly basis; art classes, yoga and stretching classes feature commonly, and everyone is welcome. This week’s hourly catch up takes place over a stretching class, so I take advantage of the ‘glow up’ health benefits on offer and join the class.
9.15am:
I check my inbox to attend to any urgent or pressing emails that may have come in overnight from clients abroad. Working at an international firm means there are ample opportunities for trainees to take on client responsibilities early on and interact with a diverse clientele across the globe. At present, I am working on several deals in the Middle East, spanning the UAE, Oman and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The firm is running its virtual vacation scheme this week. I have a check-in call with a student who is undertaking the scheme, I discuss how she is getting on and answer any questions she has.
9.45am
I undertake a quick horizon scan and turn to legal developments in the banking and capital markets areas. These practice areas are most likely to be affected by market volatilities ensuing from the global health pandemic.
The firm acts for financial institutions on various Project Development and Finance transactions. Given the cessation of LIBOR by the end of 2021, I check for any developments in this area which may affect banks’ lending activities, including global regulators’ guidelines and progress to date. I take a note of any key milestones for the purposes of drafting a step plan and client alert on this with my supervisor.
10.45am:
I prepare for a client call on an energy and infrastructure deal I am working on in Oman.
11am:
I dial into the scheduled client call, discussing the various Conditions Precedent governing the development of a solar power plant in Oman. I take a note of the key issues discussed and immediate follow-up tasks.
12pm:
I turn to a request from an associate to help compile a Conditions Precedent checklist and to set up a virtual data room for a new transaction. I review the legal documentation to better understand the conditions to be satisfied ahead of financial close, start drafting the checklist and set up the virtual data room.
1pm:
I take advantage of a lunch and learn session. The Corporate Department hosts bi-weekly training sessions for all lawyers on key issues faced during recent transactions. This session encompasses the essentials of Company Law.
2.30pm:
I dial into a Skype call with my associate mentor. We both check in with how things are progressing for us and our virtual offices. I also use the call as an opportunity to discuss international secondments, given that my mentor was lucky enough to pursue a competition seat in Brussels!
3pm:
When I return to my virtual office, I see an email from an associate requesting some research into DIFC Companies Law and directors’ liabilities towards shareholders.
I conduct research and source information for an overview of the powers, duties and liabilities attaching to directors under DIFC Law. I draft a memo outlining the main duties directors have towards shareholders, together with a cover email to send to the associate ahead of her call with the client.
4.15pm:
I turn to an email regarding transactional documents received from Dubai. I review the documents and check that the “wet ink” signatures received for the transaction are in order.
4.30pm:
I attend to an email from a partner asking me to review various Engineering, Procurement and Construction contracts for a deal in Saudi Arabia. I extract and pull together relevant excerpts from each contract to share with the third parties, including insurers.
5pm:
I attend to an email from an associate who would like some urgent assistance on drafting board resolutions and shareholder resolutions for a global transaction, spanning Ireland and New York.
6.00pm
It’s the end of the virtual vacation scheme, so I dial into a virtual drinks session to catch up with the students.
Interested? Find out more about Covington and the opportunites they have available.