Partner promotions 2022 Meet our new partners 2

Jacob Gold, Corporate Transactions, London

What makes Ashurst extraordinary?

We do market-leading and exciting work for some of the most distinguished and innovative clients on a global basis without compromising our ethos of creating a genuinely inclusive and supportive environment. Our clients work with us for our excellence but often comment that our value system marks us out as an outstanding firm to work with and that they can always rely on us as a strong ally.

As we celebrate 200 years of Ashurst this year, what do you think lies ahead for the legal industry?

Greater innovation and a less traditional approach to providing legal advice. I expect more law firms will move into the adjacent consultancy space and focus on providing end-to-end solutions to legal and regulatory questions, advising on the operational overlay to the legal technical advice.

The next few years will be a very exciting time to be in the legal industry; it will be fascinating to see how large firms develop their responses to the challenges and opportunities presented by artificial intelligence, the proliferation of data and the digital economy in general.

What is the best advice you have been given, and by who?

My mother (who was a City lawyer for 40 years) always stressed the importance of finding both a mentor and a sponsor to help guide and support you through your career. I've been extremely fortunate to have a number of people to look up to in my team, none more so than Karen Davies, David Carter, Rob Aird and Adam Levitt, who have each been a fantastic source of know-how and guidance and great friends throughout the last few years and particularly during the admissions process. For me, it's the strength of the relationships and shared purpose which makes Ashurst such a good place to work and there are so many excellent people ready and willing to provide support and advice throughout one's career.

Laura Hillhouse, Transport & Infrastructure, Sydney

What makes Ashurst extraordinary?

To me, extraordinary is doing or being something that is over and above the ordinary. At Ashurst, we give our clients an extraordinary experience through our people – our lawyers are technically excellent, know our clients and know our industry and can produce extraordinary outcomes and experiences for our clients. From a people perspective, I think it's the platform that Ashurst offers which allows our people to be their best.

As we celebrate 200 years of Ashurst this year, what do you think lies ahead for the legal industry?

There are the obvious disruptions which will continue to impact on the legal industry, from new entrants to cheap law and NewLaw but one area that I think is really exciting, particularly in my practice, is increased globalisation and the opportunities and experiences that Ashurst, being a truly global law firm, can bring to our people and our clients.

What is the best advice you have been given, and by who?

'Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity' – preparation and hard work will put you in the best position when an opportunity arises. Whilst this is a well-known quote, this advice was given to me by a former colleague when I first entered the legal industry and has stuck with me throughout my career.

Briony Holcombe, Global Loans, London

What do you think sets Ashurst apart from other firms?

Our people and culture. We are a genuinely supportive, collaborative firm with a diverse and inclusive culture that is committed to supporting our people and clients.

What do you enjoy most about working in the legal sector?

I enjoy working on new challenges and being in a position to support (and in some cases lead) transformational change – such as in the area of sustainability / ESG via sustainability linked / ESG financing.

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself?

I grew up on a dairy farm in south-west Victoria, Australia. After more than 8 years in the UK, I still miss the Australian weather / have definitely not got used to the cold!!

Campbell Johnston, Global Loans, Melbourne

What makes Ashurst extraordinary?

Across the Ashurst network, the people are smart, hard-working and above all friendly and approachable.

As we celebrate 200 years of Ashurst this year, what do you think lies ahead for the legal industry?

One of the biggest challenges for Ashurst and our clients is ESG and sustainability. This is now a core business risk. By assisting clients to tackle these issues, lawyers can have a significant impact.

What is the best advice you have been given, and by who?

My mentor, Martin Coleman, taught me to always think "how can I help" and "what can I do next".

Joanna Lawrence, IP/Media, Melbourne

What makes Ashurst extraordinary?

The excellent people and the culture are a huge part of what makes Ashurst extraordinary. This is what drew me to work at the firm in the first place and is a big part of why I am here now. It is also a consistent theme that comes through in feedback from our clients and colleagues. I am really proud to work at a firm that recognises the importance of people and culture, and puts diversity and inclusion at the heart of its strategy.

As we celebrate 200 years of Ashurst this year, what do you think lies ahead for the legal industry?

I'm looking forward to seeing greater diversity in the legal industry and more flexible, hybrid ways of working. This is vital if the profession wants to retain great lawyers and adapt to the modern world. I think Ashurst already does this well, particularly its progressive approach to inclusion and diversity and its implementation of hybrid working models (we've come a long way in 200 years!).

I'm also fascinated to see how the legal industry adapts to operating in, and assisting clients to navigate, the metaverse. The metaverse presents great opportunities as well as risks, and has the potential to be a real game changer in the way we and our clients do business.

What is the best advice you have been given, and by who?

"Do a law degree, not a fine arts degree. It's better to have a career and enjoy creative pursuits in your leisure time than to try making a living as an artist." – my Aunt Margaret (a fabulous artist herself). It turns out to have been excellent advice, because here I am! Mind you, my "creative pursuits" are largely confined to children's birthday cakes these days.