JANE E. NSOATABE Lorna

Lorna studied law at the University of Oxford. She began her traineeship in February 2013 after completing the LPC, qualified in our Competition group in February 2015, and joined the partnership in May 2023.

Applying for the firm
I studied mainly science subjects at A-level, but I wanted to do something professional at university. I considered medicine, but realized I was too sensitive and thought law might be a good option.

Receiving the offer
I was offered a training contract at Slaughter and May and moved from Manchester to London – a big decision, as Manchester is the best place in the world! However, I wanted to experience it and work for a major firm… that was ten years ago, and I haven’t regretted the decision at all.

Partnership
I joined the firm in May 2023 and have really enjoyed my new role. In particular, I enjoy being responsible for the team working on my cases and my ongoing involvement in recruitment, diversity, and inclusion. In terms of my client work, I’ve worked on everything from cartel cases to mergers and acquisitions – a key part of the firm’s multidisciplinary approach. I’ve attended hearings at the Luxembourg court, the European Court of Justice, hearings in the UK and Europe, and site visits everywhere, from airports to labs. Getting out and meeting clients is essential to doing the job well – plus, it keeps things varied and interesting (and I love talking). I find the variety of work a challenge I enjoy, and as I encounter issues I’ve never dealt with before, the firm offers significant training and support to ensure I can do the best job possible.

Experience in Brussels
During my training, I spent three months of my traineeship in the Brussels office. I finished my training in London and stayed here for about a year after qualifying before returning to Brussels for a two-year secondment – which I extended to three years because I enjoyed it so much. There’s a lot of flexibility in the Competition group to work in Brussels – the European Commission is there, and it’s a great professional learning opportunity. Personally, it was also a chance to live in another country and have an experience I wouldn’t have had otherwise. In theory, it was also an opportunity to learn French, but unfortunately, my language skills remain as limited as ever…