John Choong – Associate, Hong Kong
"It’s such a friendly environment here. Everyone knows each other and nobody feels afraid to ask questions or request support from colleagues, whatever their position in the firm.
I receive regular training, attending in-house and external seminars throughout the year. The training covers a wide range of topics, which is invaluable for learning the technical aspects of my role.
But to me, it’s the personal approach that sets Freshfields apart. The culture is relaxed, the people are easy going, and the partners always get involved in projects. They’re available for queries and won’t leave the office until they know they’ve given you all the support they can. There’s a great balance of senior team members giving associates responsibility for their tasks while ensuring they’re on hand to offer help.
This relaxed approach was there from outset. When I sent in my CV, the partners set up a video conference with me. They made me feel at ease right from the start: the partners never once interrogated me or asked trick questions.
There’s a strong belief among our associates and partners that we must always work in the best interests of our clients. While this sounds obvious, some firms are definitely more driven by profit. So, we aim to give the right advice, even if our clients don’t want to hear it. This mindset has strengthened our client relationships. Each knows they can trust us to provide the right practical advice, and they appreciate us for that."
John Choong
Associate, Hong Kong
National University of Singapore – Law
Joined: as an associate in February 2006