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Trainee Profile - Sabeen Sheikh
My first seat at Covington & Burling was in the Dispute Resolution Practice Group. The firm knew that I have a keen interest in international arbitration, and so I was immediately invited to work on a high value investor-state arbitration. A particular highlight of that experience was the opportunity to help prepare an expert witness for cross examination. In this case and others, I had an opportunity to work closely with all members of the practice group, including the partners, who have an open-door policy and always welcome questions. In addition to being inspiring mentors, a number of my colleagues are also excellent teachers who exposed me to a diverse range of projects and encouraged me to take on a high level of responsibility. The highlight of my first seat was the opportunity I had to work with my colleagues in Washington, DC on a high profile commercial arbitration and attend the hearing at the International Dispute Resolution Centre.
For my second seat, I was seconded to the in-house legal team of a global pharmaceutical company. There was a steep learning curve on secondment as my work was not limited to any one practice area. I advised the client on compliance with the EU’s Privacy and Communications Directive and the Data Protection Act, as well as employment law the Bribery Act. The insight I have gained into the operation of a global company is invaluable and allows me to better understand the concerns of our clients. The secondment also gave me a fantastic opportunity to meet clients face-to-face and attend meetings where I was the only lawyer in the room, expected to offer sound advice. If I said this wasn’t daunting, I would be lying! But once I got the hang of things, it was actually great fun and a huge confidence boost.
From my very first day at Covington, I have felt valued and “at home.” Whenever I have expressed an interest in a case, my colleagues have gone out of their way to talk to me about it and, if possible, allow me to assist on the matter. The firm encourages us to socialise through monthly drinks trolleys, associate gatherings and sporting events. Perhaps more importantly though, many of us develop genuine friendships that exist beyond the office as well. Covington is a great place to develop your career and meet some of the brightest minds in the field. I look forward to a challenging year ahead!
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