My name is Katharina, I am a personal assistant and have been with Freshfields for over six years now.

Katharina

My work is an important part of our service.

Katharina
Personal Assistant, Dispute Resolution, Frankfurt

Katharina’s story

Thanks to years of working together as a team, we trust each other completely and can rely on one other. As an assistant, I’m there to listen to everyone’s concerns and try to offer immediate solutions.

Performing the final check

As an assistant to around five lawyers, I am their “right-hand woman” and support them in their often demanding and varied work. My tasks include processing incoming and outgoing post, deadline management, preparing statements of case and checking the details in them. This responsibility is very important as I am the one who performs the final check on the details in statements of case and documents before they are submitted or sent.

I always feel involved, my opinion is valued and I take an active part in decision-making processes. In addition to various training modules, I was also able to take part in a Freshfields seminar for assistants, which contributed to my continued development.

Ongoing training and continuous professionalisation are essential for daily collaboration and help me to constantly broaden my perspective. My work is recognised and valued as an important contribution to the team’s work products.

Other Stories

Empowering tomorrow in a changing world.

Connected
Mario
Partner, Global Transactions, Frankfurt
Growth
Max
Principal Associate, Global Transactions, Vienna
Supported
Annabelle
Associate, Dispute Resolution, Berlin

Benefits

Entdecke die Vielfalt Deiner Freshfields Experience: Hier verbinden sich Karriere und Flexibilität. Damit schaffen wir Raum für Deine individuelle Entwicklung.

Supported

Parent groups

Our internal parent groups actively promote dialogue between mothers and fathers. We are convinced that the dialogue with other working parents offers valuable suggestions for successfully balancing work and family life.

Supported

Paid Parental Leave

Reconciling work and family life doesn’t have to be left to chance. This is why we support parents with additional months of paid parental leave beyond their statutory entitlement.

Growth

Learning & Development

Our comprehensive programme offers you personal and professional support in all phases of your career.

Growth

Handling peak workloads

While we are driven by exciting mandates, we take work overload seriously. That’s why we offer individual recreation options after intense work phases.

Supported

Digital detox

As our top priority is to provide our clients with excellent advice, we ensure that there is adequate cover during holidays and that recreation is possible without permanent availability.

Supported

Flexible working time models

We have individual working time models at every career level. Part-time lawyers? No exception for us.

Connected

Mobile working & working from home

We achieve success together, no matter where we are. Flexible working options such as working from home and mobile working have proven successful and are easy to implement. However, that is not to say that we don’t have great social events and team lunches.

Valued

Shaping the future together

We think globally and keep local needs in mind. On each country’s Advisory Board, employees actively participate in shaping decisions and opinions locally. This ensures that we always work in an environment that evolves in line with our colleagues’ needs.

Growth

A clear career path

Transparency is important to us. Our clear criteria for promotions provide tangible prospects for personal career development.

Connected

Top IT infrastructure

Our expertise is first-class, and our way of working, too. Modern technology and IT equipment are a matter of course for us.

Supported

Sabbaticals for Principal Associates

We encourage individual development in your professional life and beyond. Our Principal Associates have the opportunity to take a six-week paid sabbatical after one year.

Valued

Visible appreciation

We succeed as a team and communicate that externally. We acknowledge everyone’s contribution equally in internal and external communication.

Connected

Pro Bono

We offer a growing continental European and German pro bono practice, both for the direct management and handling of mandates and in the promotion of pro bono infrastructure in Germany and Europe.

Connected

Networks & Communities

We promote a diverse and inclusive firm culture through various networks & communities. With more than 17 networks and communities, we promote an inclusive and diverse firm culture. These include: Women’s Network, Halo Network, Black Affinity and Asian Affinity Network, Enabled Network.

Connected

Secondments

Secondments at our offices worldwide or with clients (e.g. Brussels, London, New York, Shanghai) provide our employees with valuable insights into international client work and at the same time strengthen their internal network.