Matt Barnes

Embedded in the Structured Finance Group since August 2017. My employment at Linklaters started in January 2017 as part of the wider transaction support team. Previous to my capital markets experience I spent 7 months assisting mainly the global banking departments.

After completing my LPC, I wanted to gain some business experience from a commercial perspective. I felt this would provide me with an invaluable insight into the working world from a client perspective. An opportunity arose at RealSport, an exciting and thriving social media start up business, which also happened to focus on one of my main passions - sport. My time at RealSport gave me invaluable exposure to every aspect of their business. This started with their ‘bread and butter’ of writing sports articles and managing and implementing social media strategies. I was also involved in the creative vision, organising and implementing multimedia projects and content, for example producing a documentary with an ex-professional footballer. I was lucky enough to be able to operate at a level with senior executives and corporate sponsors which would not normally be open to a recent graduate. I worked in tandem with the company’s lawyers on legal documentation including commercial sponsorship deals, terms and conditions, data protection and licence agreement. I also helped with a rationalisation programme to improve the company’s internal structure, H R matters and recruitment. My time at RealSport was invaluable for my personal and career development and an experience which I could not have gained at many other organisations.

This gave me the invaluable opportunity of experiencing the high-pressured environment of an extremely commercial firm. For the majority of my time I worked under a senior partner who specialised in corporate services and commercial conveyancing. I helped with leases, contracts, completion statements and exchanges, all working to a strict deadline on a number of sales to ensure exchange. For the first time I was able to work on multi million pound contracts with big clients. I also participated in the start of a litigation process, sitting in on the original and follow up meetings with clients. I had time to work alongside a solicitor on a litigation process in employment and immigration. All of these experiences will undoubtedly stand me in good stead in the future. It is clear to me that the most important part of the experience was meeting deadlines in a high-pressured environment, whilst being encouraged and taught to think commercially. Looking at the law from a commercial and business perspective, rather than through academia is a skill not taught on the GDL; instead it is developed through experience.

I shadowed an independent legal advisor for two weeks on a council at a National Medical Council's fitness to practice hearing. This provided great insight into the legal process in practice, whilst interacting with both the defence and prosecution barristers allowed me to witness the day-to-day life of a barrister during a case. I was privileged to be a part of any legal discussions in private. This allowed me to witness first hand, the scrutiny required and the complexity of such a legal process. This experience was particularly useful for understanding civil and employment law, particularly in the area of medical negligence, a concept that would not necessarily be covered in other modes of work experience.

OGR Stock Denton: I worked within probate as a member of the private client team. My work consisted of meeting clients within a professional environment and inspecting trusts, estates and wills. My responsibilities included writing codicils, researching legal concepts, and examining the suitability of trusts and estates. I also worked within other departments such as family and Personal Injury Claims. This involved participating in meetings with clients, studying claims and scrutinizing them for any problematic scenarios. This was an invaluable experience as it enabled me to see the day- to day running of a solicitor’s firm for the first time.

Completed the Legal Practitioners course earning a distinction, passing all modules and exams at the first attempt. - Elective modules chosen where: i) Advanced Commercial Property ii) Advanced Commercial Litigation iii) Commercial law and Intellectual Property

- Following a long term passion for law, I completed the the law conversion course at BPP University for non- law graduates. Passing all modules and exams first time with an Average score of 69.4 %. - Completed and Independent Research Essay on "The proscription on the use of force between states and the doctrine of territorial integrity in international law are almost absolute. The annexation of the Crimean peninsula by the Russian Federation was illegal under public international law" - The above research essay allowed me to combine my political interests and degree with my legal studies.

- Captain of Ancaster Hall Football team - Elected a Week one Representative for Ancaster Hall for the year 2012/2013. One of a four man team. On call 24 hours a day, to help mentor first year students settle into University life during their first week of university. - Member of the Seven legged committee (July- October 2013) administrative role. -Student Adventures Leader (February - September 2014) A leader and admin role of a student team before and on a charity trek for East African Playgrounds across the Rwenzori mountain range, and the building of a playground at a school in Uganda. Also raising over £2,000 personally for the challenge. - Dissertation in my third year (September 2013 - June 2014) on " To what extent could and should the Terrorist Threat from Islamic and Right Wing Extremism be compared: A Discussion of the Evolution of the Terrorist Threat to Western States in the 21st Century"