I first moved to the UK at the age of fourteen with a view to become a scientist. I read molecular biology at University College London for my bachelor’s degree, then researched protein crystallography for my doctorate at the University of Oxford.
Although I enjoyed the intellectual challenge of science, I was less enthused by laboratory work. Typically, DPhil graduates in this position go on to become patent attorneys or life sciences consultants. However, these are highly specialist jobs and I did not want to silo myself at this stage. I therefore applied for training contracts, where I can gain experience and understand how my technical skills can be utilised in different areas.
Since writing this article, Mickey has gone on to become a First Year Trainee at Goodwin!
What inspired you to apply for this role with Goodwin?
As a scientist-by-training I had a difficult time deciding which firms to apply to. I felt I could either join a firm that specialises in practice areas pertinent to the life sciences sector, or to train at a larger white shoe firm to gain a holistic experience. To me, Goodwin was the perfect middle ground between the two options. As a US corporate law firm we have the transactional capabilities to advise institutional investors on high end transactions, and our sector expertise means we support some of the most innovative start ups from venture capital funding rounds all the way to initial public offerings and beyond.
What do you find most interesting with the sector/industry you’re in?
The level of growth in the life sciences sector has been staggering. I think it is exciting how a client can go from seed funding to multi billion licensing deals in just a decade – Moderna is an excellent example of that. In fact, Goodwin recently advised on the IPO of a pharmaceutical company founded by an academic who inspired me to study at University College London.
What is the company culture like?
Goodwin’s growth in London is well-documented, but it was not until my vacation scheme did I realise the pervasiveness of the entrepreneurial spirit. The practice areas we focus on mean that our lawyers have joined from a wide variety of firms, and it was inspiring to hear how the different expertise they bring have contributed to the firm’s successes.
The firm is also attuned to our personal ambitions. I distinctly remember that at the interview stage, it was the only firm with whom I discussed at length how I wished to explore leveraging my science background without being siloed into certain practice areas or industries.
How important is diversity to you and what is Goodwin doing in this space at the moment?
The firm partners with organisations like Bright Network and Aspiring Solicitors to actively reach out to diverse applicants. As a gay man, I was able to join Aspiring Solicitors through whom I first discovered Goodwin.
However, at Goodwin diversity is more than mere statistics, as its value lies in diversity of thought. From my intake alone there those who started their own business, those who delved deep into specific areas of law during their university careers, and those who have converted to law from a wide range of careers and subject areas.
Finally, any tips for anyone who’d like to apply for a role at Goodwin?
While it is tempting to categorise firms with labels like ‘white shoe’, ‘US firm’, and ‘sector focussed’, you need to be able articulate why the firm’s characteristics match your personal ambitions to convince the interviewer that you are genuinely interested in the firm. This is no simple feat because people apply to the firm for different reasons, and your reasons can develop as you learn more about the firm. An excellent way to do so is to speak to as many people at the firm as you can, so as to pinpoint what it is exactly about Goodwin that piqued your interest initially.