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Trainee Profile - James O’Shea
 I came to Covington because of its reputation for high quality, interesting work within a small, collegial environment, and I have not been disappointed.
My first seat was in the Corporate department, specifically working on private investment funds. It was a full-on and challenging six months working mainly with a large fund-of-funds firm making investments across the globe. My work varied on a daily basis, depending on the stage of the investment process with each particular fund. Within the first few weeks of my seat I was involved in several different deals based in Europe, Asia and Australia. As part of a small team, I always felt that my contributions were important and valued, and I was often involved in direct client contact and negotiations with opposing counsel. The nature of my work varied from reviewing fund documentation, researching discrete points of law, and discussing the relative merits of particular funds with the client. One particular highlight was co-ordinating the closing of four different deals, across many different time zones, during the two weeks leading up to Christmas.
My second seat was in the Dispute Resolution group, more specifically within the realm of international arbitration. So far within this seat I have had the opportunity to be involved in several large and very interesting matters. In particular I have contributed to the team’s work on a complex and intriguing dispute between a large oil and gas company and a South American state. This seat involves plentiful research on points of international law, which clients then require to be moulded into coherent, articulate advice on the matter at hand. International arbitration demands nimble legal advice, as matters often involve becoming relatively well-versed in the intricacies of a client’s business, be it oil refineries in the Andes, wind farms in the Middle East or chemical plants in Central Asia. Trainees in this department can expect to be tested not only as to their legal knowledge and research capabilities, but also the organisational skills needed to stay on top of such a diverse practice group.
The London office is relatively small, but growing. The firm, however, is global in scope and well-regarded in all of its key practice areas. Clients are high calibre, matters are challenging, and the work is interesting. Over the course of my two seats I have engaged with colleagues in the New York, Washington and San Francisco offices. Throughout my time here, I have enjoyed the responsibility and opportunities which being part of a small office entails. As a trainee, you are always made to feel an important part of the team, with hard work recognised and contributions valued.
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