Pedro Pérez-Caballero Abad, Cuatrecasas
I joined the Dispute Resolution team at Travers Smith in September 2024 for a secondment that lasted approximately four months. My stay was part of the second edition of the International Secondment Program, which hosted eight senior lawyers from different nationalities and leading firms in their respective jurisdictions.
During my secondment, I had the opportunity to gain detailed insights into six different cases, all of which were complex, highly sophisticated, and very attractive from a legal perspective. Although they all had in common that they were commercial litigation cases, the cases were at different procedural stages, which allowed me to have a broad general perspective on the English judicial system and the extraordinary way Travers Smith works at different stages of the process. Additionally, I had the opportunity to interact with different matter teams led by Alexa Day, Caroline Edwards, Alice Childs, Rob Fell, Stephanie Lee, Polly Richard, and Barney Stannard, along with numerous other colleagues from the department, and to appreciate the peculiarities of the English judicial system in various courts. I also had the opportunity to join the Arbitration Focus Group led by Huw Jenkin and to learn from such a fantastic team.
The Dispute Resolution team at Travers Smith is not only made up of excellent professionals; moreover, they are all wonderful people. During my stay, I shared unforgettable moments with them beyond the strictly work environment (we attended football and rugby matches, an ABBA show, after-work parties, and other cultural events). My secondment not only achieved the goal of expanding my international network, but it also allowed me to make close friends within the firm. Thanks to Travers Smith and Cuatrecasas for making it possible.
Federica Tullii, BonnelliErede
My secondment as an Associate in Travers Smith’s Dispute Resolution team in London was an exceptionally rewarding experience, both professionally and personally.
From my first day, the team warmly welcomed me.
The firm’s culture is both stimulating and encouraging, fostering an environment where professional growth is a priority.
The in-house cafeteria, Braithwaites, became a cherished spot for starting my day with a hearty breakfast.
Professionally, I gained deep insights into English Court procedures, and I particularly appreciated having the opportunity to attend hearings at the Royal Courts of Justice, experiencing a very different approach compared to the Italian legal system. I especially enjoyed participating in the London International Disputes Week, where I attended numerous insightful conferences on contemporary issues presented by various law firms. Additionally, I found the weekly emails from the Head of Department, both engaging and enjoyable—something I eagerly awaited each Friday. These updates not only informed us about significant achievements and important cases of the department but also events and conferences attended by colleagues, fostering a strong sense of community and belonging. My positive experience was such that I decided to extend my secondment.
Personally, adapting to London’s vibrant city life allowed me to explore almost every corner and neighbourhood of the city – each with a distinct character, from navigating the Tube to enjoying aperitifs with colleagues and attending the memorable Taylor Swift-themed departmental party. London’s dynamic atmosphere provided numerous opportunities to immerse myself in its rich cultural offerings. The secondment has profoundly broadened my professional perspective, equipping me with invaluable international experience and lasting connections. I’m immensely grateful to Travers Smith and my home law firm for this extraordinary opportunity, which will undoubtedly shape my future career.
Federica Tullii
Associate
federica.tullii@belex.com
Katherine Barrett, Nomura
I am lucky enough to be on secondment for six months at one of the firm’s longstanding clients, Nomura. The Litigation team in London is small but mighty and they have warmly welcomed me from the outset. The opportunity to see things from the client’s perspective has been fascinating, especially given the range and breadth of matters that call for Litigation’s involvement (many of which have a cross-jurisdictional component given Nomura’s international footprint). I have been struck by the agility and efficiency that in-house lawyers require in order to navigate large ongoing cases alongside unexpected urgent matters, discrete queries and requests for advice from all across the business. The role also demands a combination of legal precision, commercial judgement and a deep understanding of the different needs of internal stakeholders to deliver concise, effective and pragmatic advice. I have really benefitted from seeing how in-house counsel contextualise the core legal issues against a risk/benefit analysis to deliver clear recommendations to their internal clients in a collaborative manner. I am looking forward to consolidating these skills whilst at Nomura and I am excited to apply the in-house insights I have gained once I return to Travers Smith (even though it does mean a return to time-recording).
Rachel Wilson, Payment Services Regulator / Financial Conduct Authority
My six-month secondment to the Payment Systems Regulator / Financial Conduct Authority was a fantastic experience. As well as providing excellent client exposure and insight into the mindset and operation of the regulators, I was able to play a leading role on multiple judicial review claims relating to the PSR’s work on cross-border interchange fees. The opportunity to work with the wonderful legal team, to observe governance in action and to gain contentious public law experience was invaluable. It has also honed my ability to advise on risk, to become a trusted member of a client team and to prepare pithy and commercial advice to senior directors and boards, all of which will enable me to add more value when advising clients in my Senior Counsel role at Travers.
Orlagh Joyce, Jylo
I am currently on a part-time secondment with Jylo, an innovative AI legal tech company. My role involves collaborating closely with the team to develop legal products, commonly referred to as playbooks. My focus is on providing legal insights related to dispute resolution to enhance the team’s understanding and help build DR-specific playbooks for the wider legal market. In addition, I provide pre-production development feedback, offer a legal perspective in various contexts, as well as demystifying legal jargon!
I have been integrated into the consulting and analysts team on a weekly basis, which has been incredibly creative and rewarding. The secondment has allowed me to contribute valuable insights which aids in the development of products that have the potential to revolutionise the legal market. Working with such a talented and dynamic team has been highly enjoyable, and knowing that our efforts are making a significant impact is truly motivating. Being part of a start-up in the vibrant Shoreditch area has been as dynamic as one might expect. The shared office building fosters a collaborative atmosphere that enhances productivity and creativity. I have learned a great deal about the value of creativity in problem-solving and have embraced the variety and challenges my time on secondment has brought. This secondment has been a remarkable opportunity to be at the cutting edge of legal tech.
Ellie Steele, Cravath, Swaine & Moore
I am currently on secondment at Cravath, Swaine & Moore in New York, with around 15 other secondees from top independent firms across Europe and around the world. I am part of the firm’s Investigations and Regulatory Enforcement group, advising companies, their boards and senior executives in corporate crises, government investigations and white-collar criminal defence matters. The group is spread across Cravath’s offices in New York and Washington DC, which happily meant a trip to DC for the team’s holiday dinner. Beyond fascinating work mandates, the past months have been spent confronting a fear of heights, perfecting the weekend bagel order, making a (small) dent in the immense New York restaurant and bar scene, and exploring other US cities with secondee friends.
James Hulmes, Cuatrecasas
In January 2025, I was lucky enough to be seconded to the Barcelona office of Cuatrecasas, a Spanish firm with which Travers Smith has close ties. The secondment was an opportunity to gain experience in the practice of litigation in Spain, while deepening our relationships with one of the preeminent firms in the Iberian market. The Cuatrecasas team lived up to their reputation as consummate litigators, but were also faultlessly warm, generous and hospitable to the curious English lawyer in their midst. For my part, a standout experience was attending the trial of a claim for damages arising from the Dieselgate scandal. As a common law litigator, it was fascinating to observe the Spanish approach to dispute resolution and compare it to our own system here in England – two very different routes to the same destination. And, of course, on a personal level it was no hardship to exchange the mid-winter gloom of London for the sun-dappled shores of the Mediterranean and one of Europe’s most beautiful cities. I left Barcelona having developed strong relationships with some wonderful Spanish colleagues, a more nuanced understanding of the practice of international litigation and a taste for sweet vermouth.
Jarrai Jawara, Travers Smith (Employment)
From July to December 2024, I was internally seconded to Travers Smith’s Employment department. Although I trained as a solicitor at Travers Smith, none of my four rotations/seats were spent in Employment. I therefore consider my secondment to be my “fifth seat” and an invaluable extension of my training! During my secondment, I specialised in workplace investigations, grievances and employment litigation. These were, happily, areas in which I could use my experience as a litigator, as well as gaining new skills. Employment law in the UK is about to undergo significant change so it was an incredibly busy time for the department. I have worked with the Employment team before, so I was not surprised to find that (despite being busy) they were very welcoming and generous with their time – they took me under their collective wing and answered my (many) questions. Since I’ve returned to Dispute Resolution, I still have coffees regularly with my Employment colleagues and I have continued working on a few Employment matters. I would recommend an internal secondment to anyone who wishes to widen their skillset and network within their firm.
