my story

Sofia Gottgens
Associate, Employment

Coming from a science-centric background, studying Law and German at university wasn’t the natural choice. I liked problem-solving and analytical thinking, so I decided to jump into law. At university, I discovered what a career in law might look like, but it wasn’t until my Vacation Scheme with Marriott Harrison that I got a feel for it.

The work was hands-on, and the responsibility was real. Training at Marriott Harrison offers a unique opportunity to get stuck in from the start. Trainees are an integral part of the team, and throughout the training contract, I worked closely with clients, associates, and partners across a wide range of deals and was able to stretch myself.

This hasn’t stopped since my qualification. Working for Marriott Harrison has allowed me to do compelling, challenging work whilst getting to know clients and understanding their industries and needs.

It is clear that the department and the wider Marriott Harrison team are invested in our long-term development. They are keen to expose us to as many opportunities as possible. From Business Development events to corporate social responsibility, working at Marriott Harrison is full of variety. It is also inspiring to work alongside partners who trained at Marriott Harrison, who demonstrate just how committed the firm is to the development of its people.

Alex Lee
Senior Associate, Commercial

Having studied Ancient Greek and Latin at undergraduate level, I didn’t seriously consider a career in law until quite late on. So, when applying for training contracts, I didn’t have a firm idea of what practice area I wanted to specialise in.

I knew I wanted a firm that was compact enough that I’d have real responsibility from day one but also large enough that I’d be able to experience various complex legal challenges and work with top clients. Ultimately, I wanted a firm where I’d be able to develop and have the opportunity to make a tangible difference. Marriott Harrison was the natural choice.

Since my first day at Marriott Harrison, I have felt welcomed and an essential part of the firm, working directly with partners across all specialist teams on a day-to-day basis and being trusted with work integral to deals and client matters.

The talent here is staggering. Whilst this can be daunting, Marriott Harrison placed emphasis on my growth as an individual and as a lawyer, offering me the chance to spend time on secondment at a client as a trainee and discussing my long-term career and personal aspirations right from the start. The enthusiasm to nurture individuals from trainees to partners really sets the firm apart.

Now, as an associate in the Commercial and Intellectual Property team, that dedication to my development has continued, and Marriott Harrison was only too keen for me to undertake a post-graduate university course in Intellectual Property alongside work.

The firm doesn’t neglect to develop the social side of things; monthly events, breakfast guest speakers and Friday takeout lunches are fan favourites. The firm recognises that “friends” and “colleagues” should not be mutually exclusive terms.

Arjan Bains
Associate, Corporate

At university, I enjoyed most aspects of corporate law and I, therefore, decided to exclusively apply to law firms with a strong corporate practice. From previous vacation schemes, I knew that I wanted to be part of a small trainee intake. With this in mind, Marriott Harrison was the obvious choice.

Whilst on the vacation scheme I enjoyed the high levels of responsibility and empowering culture at the firm. As a trainee, it gets even better! For example, I have been able to take a lead on deals towards the end of my corporate seat and throughout my banking seat.

Working closely with leading professionals and getting direct contact with clients and opposing counsel is the best way to learn and I am grateful for this. I also organise the Marriott Harrison Football team and Marriott Harrison Golf Day which gives me direct access to clients and contacts of the firm.

The approachable nature of the individuals and the open culture at the firm has allowed me to develop both as a lawyer and personally over the last year. Whether that is a birthday card or the celebration of a cultural or personal event, it is evident that the firm genuinely cares about its employees and anyone who comes across the firm.

The journey to becoming a trainee at Marriott Harrison requires hard work and sacrifice, but it is definitely worth it!

Liberty Pearl
Associate, Commercial

My pathway to a career in law has not been linear. With early ambitions to be a doctor, I went to university in the US and studied molecular biology, after completing high school in California. Naturally curious, I took an elective law class and discovered all the qualities and ideas that I had loved about a career in medicine, but in a form that felt more instinctive to me. Within a term, I switched my major and joined the university’s pre-law society.

While I thought my career change would be a big leap, at Marriott Harrison I have learnt that my passion to research and analyse a topic, and the opportunity to work on a broad range of issues, serves my career every day. At a firm which gives me responsibility and client-facing experience, there is always more work to be done, and countless things to learn.

From the first online forum I attended when applying for Training Contracts, I knew that I wanted to work for Marriott Harrison. More than any other firm I considered; Marriott Harrison put people at the heart of everything it does.

I am involved in business development initiatives such as organising and attending client events, am given vacation scheme candidates and work experience students to mentor and contribute to the firm’s Trainees and Associates’ monthly open forum, where my opinions and ideas can be heard, considered, and acted upon.

Rory Duthie
Trainee

I started my career at Marriott Harrison as a paralegal where I worked across all areas of the firm, mainly supporting the Corporate team. From this role, I was able to gain a great understanding of the firm and was lucky enough to make many good friends along the way.

The diversity of work you are exposed to at Marriott Harrison means that you are constantly challenged with new and interesting topics. I found this exposure crucial for my development, but was also thankful that, whenever I was unsure of something, I could always seek advice from associates or partners. At Marriott Harrison, no person is unapproachable. The fact that I feel comfortable talking to associates and partners alike is, in my opinion, indicative of the open and collaborative way in which the firm operates.

Marriott Harrison also offers the opportunity to be involved in CSR projects and this is very important to me. There is a firmwide recognition that there is more to life than work and I am encouraged to pursue CSR opportunities as well as my hobbies and activities outside of the workplace.

I felt very lucky to have been offered my Training Contract and did not hesitate to accept it. Since then, I have been working in the Employment and Commercial teams where I have been encouraged to take on high levels of responsibility and pursue networking opportunities, despite my junior level. Marriott Harrison want you to become a well-rounded lawyer and person, and you will have every opportunity to do that here.

Ivana Yuen
Trainee

As I progressed through my law degree, I became increasingly drawn towards a legal career that allowed me to work in the venture capital and start-up space. After becoming president of the entrepreneur’s society at my university and completing a legal internship at a high-growth company, I knew that I wanted to help innovative companies with their legal concerns as they grew and exited. As someone who prefers to learn by doing, I also knew that I wanted significant responsibility and client-facing opportunities during my period of training. With a leading corporate practice, a particular excellence in advising investors and cutting-edge companies, and a small trainee intake, Marriott Harrison was a stand-out firm for me.

My affinity to the firm solidified after my vacation scheme. I was asked what areas of work I was interested in and was surprised to be offered the opportunity to gain experience in those areas. I felt a uniquely close-knit culture and a genuine attentiveness to fostering a work environment where everyone’s opinion mattered equally, with trainees' suggestions being incorporated into decisions for the firm. Marriott Harrison’s commitment to its team spirit was clear to me since even as a future trainee I was invited to the firm’s Christmas and summer parties.

From assisting on an IPO to amending an employment settlement agreement to researching the application of a US judgment in the UK, I was given an unparalleled variety of tasks in different practice areas during my vacation scheme. I am eager to be challenged further throughout my training contract.

Tom Mann
Trainee

I took part in the Marriott Harrison Summer Vacation Scheme in 2021 and was subsequently offered a training contract with the firm. The Vacation Scheme provided a fantastic opportunity to get to know the firm and understand its culture. Throughout the week I was given the opportunity to talk to people at various levels, from current trainees to partners. They provided me with invaluable insights and confirmed that Marriott Harrison was the place I wanted to work.

I was initially drawn to apply to Marriott Harrison due to the size of the firm’s trainee cohort. This smaller cohort has meant I am given a great deal of responsibility and attention. You feel as though the firm is really invested in your development and you have much more opportunity to become heavily involved in transactional work at an early stage. Despite this smaller intake, there are still lots of people you can seek advice from. Everyone at the firm is approachable and trainees from other intakes, as well as associates within your team, are always willing to lend a helping hand.

Marriott Harrison also has an excellent reputation in several key practice areas that I had an interest in prior to joining. In particular, the firm's work in the Venture Capital space really stood out to me during the application process and I have since had the opportunity to work for a number of really exciting clients.

I’m looking forward to the rest of my training contract with the firm and having the opportunity to work across different practice areas with some talented people.

Fran Spooner
Partner, Corporate

I have been with Marriott Harrison for 13 years, having completed a Vacation Scheme and Training Contract at the firm and worked my way through the ranks from associate to senior associate and, most recently, to partner in the corporate team.

Throughout my Vacation Scheme and Training Contract, I found that the people at Marriott Harrison were genuine, friendly, fun, open and collaborative. Their work was exciting and varied – I was immediately made to feel welcome and part of the team and was given real work to do.

The training contract was challenging, but I made life-long friends – we were all in it together, along with the associates and partners who never treated the trainees as unimportant; you were always an integral part of the team. Having been promoted to partner, I am shaping my future with support and encouragement from the firm. We have, and always have had, a family feel to the firm – this becomes even more important when you need to step up into a new, more senior role with all the changes that come with it.

I have the freedom to start to build my practice, focussing on female founders, tech companies, and companies with a focus on social impact or purpose and, at the same time, try to make an impact on other aspects of the firm as a new partner with a voice that is listened to and respected.

I have been reflecting recently on the reasons I have stayed with the firm for so long – and in that time, having been called by recruiters, seeing my colleagues and friends leave to go in-house or work for larger firms, and considering my options.

There are pros and cons to all workplaces. For me, Marriott Harrison is a place for independent people to come together to work hard on interesting, challenging and exciting matters in a non-hierarchical, friendly environment that encourages people to get involved in all aspects of the business. I don’t think I could find that anywhere else!