Matthew Powell, Weil, Gotshal & Manges
Matthew Powell is a trainee solicitor at Weil, Gotshal & Manges. He graduated from King's College, University of London with a degree in law.
A training contract seat in the US
I live in a spacious one-bedroom apartment in a quiet residential area just outside San Francisco, surrounded by tree-lined avenues and an estuary leading to the San Francisco bay. Previously I lived in Aldgate, East London which is quite different from my current suburban location. To recapture that ‘city' vibe I can drive to San Francisco and access a variety of fantastic restaurants, theatres and shopping opportunities.
Socialising with lawyers and work experience students
My office is five minutes' drive from my apartment, making getting to and from work easy. This allows me to capitalise on my free time, including exploring San Francisco's nightlife with my US colleagues. The city is too far away for me to get a cab back home, so I normally stay in a motel if I am out late. Fortunately my placement coincides with the firm's summer associate programme (similar to the vacation scheme offered by firms in the UK) so I've had opportunities to meet other lawyers in activities ranging from white-water rafting to go-kart racing!
Working in a US law firm is similar to life at a UK firm
Although I had a preconceived image of California before coming here, the differences with the UK continue to interest me. Many Californians are health conscious and active, and I've found myself becoming absorbed into this culture. Several of the attorneys and paralegals are competing in triathlons and I am keen to get involved in this. I also go surfing two or three times a week which is the perfect way to end a day at the office. Working in a US law office is similar to working in a UK law firm.
The working hours at an American law firm
At the Silicon Valley office attorneys work comparable hours to their counterparts in London and generally wear smart casual clothes, reflecting the office's location at the heart of the Northern California tech industry. American attorneys appreciate assertiveness and confidence in their colleagues and I have grown in both these respects since arriving from the UK. Most significantly, learning how the US legal system operates and gaining international exposure has allowed me to develop professionally and become a more valuable asset to my firm.