Annmarie Clarke – Secretary, Corporate Team

“I had just moved back to the UK after three years in Denmark when I joined Matthew Arnold & Baldwin  in August 2003 as a temp. I fell into it really! After a few months I was made permanent and continued working in the Corporate Department, handling large deals and completing a wide variety of client work. I liked it straight away; it was very friendly and very busy and the work was extremely varied. A few years ago another solicitor joined the team  who specialised in banking & finance work, which I found really interesting. He got me very involved, talked me through his work and I learned alot about it.

Two years ago following some department changes I moved to work for Craig Harrison, another Partner in the Corporate Department. His work is very varied, mostly deal work, buying and selling shares, bank guarantee jobs and our regular breakfast forums.  Everyday is  pretty lively and we’re always very busy. All the clients are different, from small shareholders to big corporate firms, so the days are very varied and I’m not just typing all the time, the firm encourages us to take extra responsibility if we want to. On bank guarantees, for example, I am now able to produce letters myself.

It’s nice to work close to home and not have to travel into London. I feel so comfortable here; I know everyone and they are all really nice and we have a good social network.

We’re the biggest law firm in Hertfordshire and that’s also a  big pull.”