Chapter 3 – Tap on the shoulder
Transcript
Mary Carne, Receptionist
I must say I’ve had a very happy time here – obviously, because I wouldn’t have been here 21 years otherwise! As I’m due to retire soon and I shall be very sad when I do...
Lots of lovely people: I’ve made lots of friends. Partners have always treated, I would say all staff, with the utmost respect. They’re just all lovely people from all levels. And whatever role you play in Freshfields, you’re all part of a team.
I sometimes get on the bus and the other day there was a partner actually tapped me on the shoulder and he made me jump...
He’d no need to do that because I wouldn’t have seen him.
Claire Hogarth, Senior Fitness and Lifestyle Trainer
At the fitness centre we have a positive, colourful, upbeat base of clients from senior partners all the way through to associates. secretaries, post room and they always give us such a good vibe.
If anyone did present us with a slightly enlarged ego we would make sure they leave that at the door and we’d put them right in their place.
Kathleen Healy, Partner
I regularly take our lawyers out to the pub to have a couple glasses of wine. For me personally I thinks that that’s a very important part of what we do at Freshfields. You want to feel that not only are you getting good work but that you enjoy the company of the people you see day to day.
Freddie New, Trainee and Shahab Uddin, Associate
Minutes.. minutes... minutes
That’s what happens when you’re bottom of the chain.
I love it, it’s like being in the army.
We’re not supposed to say you’re bottom of the chain am I.. ‘cos that’s..
No, no, I’m an aspirational figure.
We’re a meritocracy aren’t we?
Come on!
Dude, you have to tell me what to do tomorrow.
Oh no actually... so here we’ve got the acquisition
I found the more difficult the transaction the more people’s sense of fun is important – when times get difficult, when you have to put the long hours in, people’s personalities play such a fantastic part then.
You really appreciate the fact that someone is still able to crack jokes late in the evening and yet, you know, be completely focused on the work at the same time. And I think if you have the kind of personality that will respond to those qualities in someone, you’ll be happy at this firm.