Guy Potel

• Degree: English Language and Literature, University of Leeds
• Joined: 2008
• Practice area/group: Corporate Finance
• Office location: London
• Favourite books: ‘Midnight’s Children’ by Salman Rushdie, ‘The Kite Runner’ by Khaled Hosseini

I joined the then Lovells in 2008 as a senior associate in the Corporate Finance group. Prior to that, I had worked for another leading international law firm. Since joining I was made Of Counsel in 2009 and was subsequently elevated to the partnership, on the day that Lovells merged with Hogan & Hartson. My specialist areas encompass equity capital markets, public and private acquisitions, restructurings, joint ventures and general corporate advisory work.

I was drawn to Hogan Lovells by its entrepreneurial approach and collegial atmosphere, which was more than apparent in the interviews and chats I had with the partners here. At Hogan Lovells, talent and achievement are always recognised and everyone – from trainees to partners – is expected to play an important role in presenting the firm, winning clients and maintaining relationships. At some leading firms, one can easily feel like a cog in a giant machine, with little or no visibility and no real sense of the value you are contributing to the firm or its clients. Hogan Lovells is refreshingly different in that trainees and associates are dedicated to specific clients and sectors early on, whilst still experiencing the breadth of practice, open culture and opportunities offered by the firm. Access and marketing to clients is also encouraged, reflecting the firm’s dynamic, entrepreneurial spirit.

Hogan Lovells also has an unrivalled geographical spread, exceptional training programmes and one of the broadest practices. With that comes the excitement and variety that only the world’s leading firms can offer. For example, early this year I was flown to Hong Kong at one hour’s notice. Once there, I spent three days negotiating the acquisition of a Kazakhstan asset by one of China’s richest men, speaking through translators whilst overlooking Hong Kong harbour. It might not sound like an average day, but then Hogan Lovells isn’t your average firm.