My legal life: Clementine Hogarth, Norton Rose Fulbright

I wanted to help make the world a better place – I didn’t imagine myself being a corporate lawyer! I really believe in the power of responsible business and there are so many opportunities to work with clients who are seeking to drive change, whether through clean energy projects, impact investing, being consumer focused or just being a good employer. It is a privilege to be involved with clients like this and also to get involved in internal and external projects to help drive change and equality in the industry.

It is tough to get into the City and, quite simply, my CV did not stand out enough. I eventually got a week’s work experience at Shepherd and Wedderburn, a Scottish firm. I arrived on the Monday morning and ended up leaving years later as a senior associate, having been taken on as a paralegal and then the firm’s first English trainee. That firm wanted me in person when I wasn’t getting anywhere on paper. It’s probably why I feel so passionately about alternative routes to qualification, trying to see beyond what’s on a CV and offering insights and work experience to as many people as possible.

I am an absolute deal junkie so I was always going to go for a transactional team. Ultimately I picked corporate because I like being central to the deals. I’m pleased I did as I love the variety. I now spend a lot of time giving clients strategic advice. Having trusted adviser, board-level relationships with clients means that I really share their successes and so I get more out of work too.

'I have a passionate belief in creating equal opportunities for people and judging on performance and, more importantly, potential; background should be irrelevant'

Advance’s mission is to help Norton Rose Fulbright widen access to more socio-economically diverse talent in the UK and foster an environment in which everyone can develop their full potential. The network also seeks to raise awareness of social mobility issues and to encourage employee participation in social mobility schemes and volunteering opportunities, as well as seeking to influence a wider approach to social mobility through cross-industry collaboration. I co-founded Advance in 2019 with a group of passionate people including my original co-chairs who really pioneered the initiative. We are an active network and have done lots both in terms of outreach and external initiatives, as well as influencing internal policies. I have a passionate belief in social mobility – in creating equal opportunities for people and judging on performance and, more importantly, potential; background should be irrelevant. I also believe in using industry influence to drive change. That’s why as a network we do as much as we can to collaborate with clients as well as across the industry and business more broadly.      

I’ve always cared about and been involved in trainee recruitment and development. I was therefore delighted to be given the opportunity to oversee our early careers recruitment with one of my partners. It is a real privilege to help shape the future of the firm and play a role in access to the profession. We are really supportive of alternative routes into the profession and also trying to do as much as we can to ensure that all potential candidates have access to the same opportunities. My primary objectives are finding the best talent and ensuring opportunities at Norton Rose Fulbright are distributed as widely as possible.

Pushing for and sponsoring our apprenticeship initiative (which I did with another partner, Noleen John) was a no-brainer. The apprenticeship initiative helps improve access to the profession by facilitating on-the-job studying without incurring the costs of university and by raising awareness about the potential opportunities to a wider pool of people. Setting up the programme was a lot of work but it was worth it. Our first cohort of apprentices joined in September and they are incredible and a real inspiration.

I’m not what you would call a typical ‘City lawyer’ (if such a thing still exists). Sometimes I think the combination of my relaxed approach and being female means that people can underestimate my ability or how resolute I am and will be for my clients. I don’t think there is a straightforward solution to those perceptions but I would rather continue to prove myself through the quality of my advice and my capabilities than compromise on who I am. I also think it is important to show other people that they can be themselves at work without it impacting on their ability to progress.  

Support is what is important, wherever that comes from. At different points in my career, I’ve relied on different informal sponsors, peers and friends. One of the best things about being a partner at this firm is the support that my other partners provide when I need it.