Anneli Howard

Name: Anneli Howard
Chambers: Monckton Chambers
University: University of Oxford
Subject: law
Graduated: 1994

Becoming an EU, competition and commercial law barrister

I took the ‘road less travelled' by training as a solicitor before switching professions to re-train as a barrister. At university, I was torn between the Bar and international practice as a solicitor-advocate. I opted for the solicitor route partly for financial reasons but mainly to use my language skills and work abroad. After four years working as a solicitor I moved to Luxembourg to work for the British judge at the European Court of Justice. This experience shifted my career goals and, although becoming a barrister meant starting from the beginning all over again, the autonomy outweighed any immediate financial disadvantages. My first year of tenancy exposed me to a wide range of work and enabled me to see the ‘nuts and bolts' of a trial from a barrister's perspective. As second junior, my tasks involved proofing witnesses, legal research, and drafting skeleton arguments and cross-examination scripts.

In an exciting week I might...

...be advising a company on applying for leniency in a cartel investigation, drafting an opinion on aspects of European Community law or the legality of commercial arrangements, or finalising observations for proceedings in Luxembourg.

• Overview of work at the commercial law bar
• Overview of work at the competition law bar
• Overview of work at the European law bar

Peaks and troughs

Adrenalin highs come from appearing in court as an advocate, deciding on litigation tactics and preparing for cross-examination. The occasional low is mostly linked to juggling deadline clashes and work/life balance.

My work experience and tips

Legal: four years working as a solicitor. Non-legal: I spent my university summers coaching gymnastics, lifeguarding, waitressing and teaching English. Tips: there can be pressure to specialise at an early stage so try to keep your options open with a view to long-term opportunities. Any career decision is not final so don't be afraid of change.