Name: Mark Dunlop

Law firm name: Bedell Cristin

PQE: qualified as an English solicitor in 1993 (now non-practising). Moved to
Jersey in 2005 and re-qualified as a Jersey Advocate in 2007 – and subsequently
was made a Partner.

Practice area: banking and corporate finance

What was your top reason for moving to Jersey?

Before moving to Jersey, I was a banking and projects partner at Theodore Goddard in the City and, after its merger, at Addleshaw Goddard. I gained valuable experience and worked on a range of demanding transactions. However, my wife and I decided that we wanted a better 'work-life balance' but without sacrificing our quality of work. We had visited Jersey before on weekend breaks and holidays and loved the place. I had also come across Jersey transactions in London and knew that Jersey has a sophisticated and developed finance industry. So, Jersey seemed an obvious place to move. That said, there will always be transactions in Jersey which need late hours and commitment but I am consistently home earlier than I was in London and life in Jersey is just so much easier than in London – gone is the pollution and crowded tube, my commute takes 10 minutes in a car, the Jersey countryside and beaches are stunningly beautiful, there is a great choice of restaurants and bars and France is a short ferry ride away.

How did you research who the law firms in Jersey are and how did you draw up a shortlist of who you wanted to work for?

Being a small jurisdiction, there are not that many law firms altogether, but for finance and corporate work, I would say there are only a handful of leading Jersey law firms of which Bedell Cristin is one. I found the legal directories (such as the legal 500) very helpful. I also approached Rosy Dessain of Thomas & Dessain for help. Rosy runs a Jersey-based recruitment agency and has excellent local contacts and knowledge.

Why did you opt for Bedell Cristin?

I liked the cultural feel of Bedell Cristin. The client base is very 'bluechip', the lawyers are great technicians, the people are genuinely friendly and there is a very 'inclusive' approach to all aspects of the business. I was also impressed by the firm's plans for the future – since joining, the firm has grown internationally and offices have been opened in Guernsey, London and Geneva. These new offices are presenting exciting opportunities for new and varied work.

How did you find the application and interview process?

The process was very professional. The partners in the banking and finance group together with Joan Hodge (head of group HR) made every effort to answer my questions not only about Bedell Cristin but also about life in Jersey.

How does working in Jersey match up to your expectations in terms of quality and quantity of work?

The quality of the work is reassuringly good. The banking practice of Bedell Cristin regularly acts for many of the leading UK banks (both retail and merchant). The banking work has a strong international flavour. There is also excellent quality local banking work (as many international banks have branches or subsidiaries in Jersey). The quantity of the work is also reassuringly good. Although the credit crunch has had an impact on the very largest deals, we are still seeing plenty of good international deals completing and there seems to be more local work as well.

Can you give an example of an interesting piece of work you've recently completed at Bedell Cristin?

The last few weeks have been fairly active. We have just worked on a significant bid to purchase a Jersey company. This involved undertaking corporate due diligence and advising on a range of matters (including merger control, taxation and the takeover provisions of the Jersey companies law). We have also just completed a multimillion-pound financing of a Jersey property unit trust acting for the lender. This involved reviewing the underlying trust, advising on the finance documents and drafting the Jersey security. I also have instructions to draft a significant revolving credit facility for a local bank secured on an international portfolio of assets held by a custodian. All of the finance documents will be governed by Jersey law.

What is the biggest difference between being a City lawyer and a lawyer working in Jersey?

In the City, people tend to be very specialised. In Jersey, while people do tend to have a key specialist area, the opportunities exist for a more varied practice.

What is the bedding-in period for a new lawyer at Bedell Cristin?

Jersey has a separate legal system from the UK, but a fair amount of corporate law reflects (or is based) on English law. A banking/corporate lawyer would need about six months to feel comfortable knowing the key differences between Jersey law and English law in this particular practice area. When I joined, the partners in the group were helpful in directing me to the laws and materials that I needed to know. I also took the decision to re-qualify as a Jersey Advocate. Not all lawyers look to re-qualify. But if you go down this route, you will need to pass examinations in a range of subjects, not all of which will be relevant to your practice area. Different people will take different times to pass these exams but a minimum period of two years would be a good rule of thumb to aim for. Most law firms will offer generous study leave opportunities in the run-up to doing the exams.

Is there anything you miss about working in the City as a lawyer?

It would have to be Starbucks.

What's the biggest myth circulating in the City about working as a lawyer in Jersey?

For those who have not dealt with Jersey before, they may be nervous about the ability of Jersey lawyers to deliver on the deal. But you will find the lawyers pride themselves on delivering a City-quality service. Many lawyers have worked in the City and understand the commercial pressures involved. At Bedell Cristin, we deliver a partner-led, City-quality service and that is why we are the law firm of choice for many City firms and banks.

NewHorizonsJuly2008