Freshfields’ support with my dissertation was unique.
Max’s Story
My name is Max and I am a lawyer in Banking and Finance. When I applied for a job at Freshfields in Vienna in 2015, I had no idea what an exciting journey lay ahead of me and how much this decision would shape my professional life.
Dissertation on “Bad Banks in Austria”
I made the decision to join Freshfields mainly because of the very pleasant job interviews. In my first years in the profession, I mainly dealt with bank resolution law and banking crises, including “bad banks”. These issues were challenging, especially because we were often operating in uncharted legal territory. Ultimately, however, they inspired me to write my dissertation entitled “Bad Banks in Austria”, a topic that I would never have come up with without Freshfields and which was ideally suited to a dissertation due to the many unanswered questions and legal problems.
Dissertation support
What made Freshfields unique for me at the time was the support I received with my dissertation project. It was agreed that would take a year’s leave of absence shortly after my bar exam to work on my dissertation. During this time, both the firm’s internal library and my colleagues were on hand at all times to provide advice and support. To be honest, I don’t think this path would have been possible without the support of Freshfields and it is certainly something special how the environment at Freshfields encourages the individual development and diverse interests of its employees.
Other Stories
Empowering tomorrow in a changing world.
Benefits
Entdecke die Vielfalt Deiner Freshfields Experience: Hier verbinden sich Karriere und Flexibilität. Damit schaffen wir Raum für Deine individuelle Entwicklung.
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.
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.
Learning & Development
Our comprehensive programme offers you personal and professional support in all phases of your career.
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.
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.
Flexible working time models
We have individual working time models at every career level. Part-time lawyers? No exception for us.
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.
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.
A clear career path
Transparency is important to us. Our clear criteria for promotions provide tangible prospects for personal career development.
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.
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.
Visible appreciation
We succeed as a team and communicate that externally. We acknowledge everyone’s contribution equally in internal and external communication.
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.
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.
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.