News/1 Mar 2023

Great Career Development and Networking Opportunities in London – Borenius’ Rotation Programme Continues in 2023

We are happy to announce that we are continuing our rotation programme in London. Offering our lawyers the chance to experience working abroad and to meet their peer-level associates in law firms based in London is a good way to not only create and further deepen our global connections but also to solidify our internationally spirited brand.

“I applied to the programme because London serves as a key hub for the European financial markets and our largest finance-related transactions usually involve some kind of connection to London. I felt it only natural for a finance lawyer like me to use this opportunity to work in London as a launch pad for further career development and networking,” says Senior Associate Ben Fallström.

It’s all about connections

In addition to typical senior-level lawyer work, such as drafting agreements and attending conference calls, an average working day at the London office involves connecting with international colleagues and clients e.g. through business lunches, industry events, and local seminars. The rotation programme participants also actively contribute to the various events and seminars we regularly host at our own representative office.

“London is the key feeder market for us outside of Finland. For this reason, we strongly believe that it is important that our associates also get to experience working in the City in addition to getting to know their peers from the London-based law firms, banks and investment funds. Last year’s inaugural rotation programme was a huge success and well-liked by all participants. For this year, we have developed the rotation programme even further, so that it provides enhanced individual focus to these three chosen senior associates and complements their individual skillsets needed at this stage of their careers. Most likely the rotation experience will also turn out to be a tremendous asset for them in the years to come”, says Juha Koponen, the Partner in charge of our London representative office.

Our Senior Associates Christel Nokkala, Ben Fallström and Emma Laaksonen are excited to get the chance to touch base with both old and new Nordic colleagues in London this year. According to them, the genuinely international business and legal communities in London provide great opportunities to create connections and develop professional skills. In addition, the firm is always there to support them as they are taking their first steps in building an international network of colleagues and clients.

“Establishing and maintaining global networks is crucial both to us as lawyers and to our clients looking to do business across borders. With London being the key business hub that it is, the city offers interesting new contacts and experiences in addition to serving as a gateway to international markets,” says Senior Associate Christel Nokkala, who used to live in London.

Why London?

Working on cross-border matters is in our DNA, and our representative office in London is ideally positioned to connect domestic and global businesses with legal services and business networks in the major European financial centre. During their stay in London, our programme participants are tasked e.g. with meeting with international colleagues and clients and giving them presentations on recent market developments in Finland. This deepens our programme participants’ understanding of both Finnish and global markets while simultaneously training their skills.

“I applied to Borenius’ London rotation programme because many of our projects involve a cross-border aspect. It is important for us lawyers to ensure that we have genuine international work experience because it is a boon not only to the firm but also to our own future career prospects,” says Senior Associate Emma Laaksonen.

As the time difference between Finland and London is relatively small, our programme participants are ideally positioned to work on both domestic and international assignments, which further contributes to their skill and career development. All London rotation programme participants have rated it highly, stating that opting to go to London has been one of the best career decisions they have made so far.