Dealmaker: Caroline Stroud of Freshfields on presenteeism, pizza and 'sweating the assets'
Freshfields' employment head on Italian detective shows and having Domino's on quick click
February 18, 2015 at 02:03 AM
4 minute read
Freshfields' employment head on Italian detective shows and having Domino's on quick click
Why did you become a lawyer?
Until the age of 14 I wanted to be a doctor, for the next few years a chartered surveyor and then finally I chose law over going back to medicine. Very indecisive but it all worked out well as I love my job.
Who has been the biggest influence on your career?
My husband. He has always supported me in my career and helped me to bring up our children at the same time and I could not have done it without him.
What's your proudest professional moment?
Winning cases for clients, particularly when they congratulate me on the fantastic team we have.
… and worst day on the job?
The day I left my briefcase in a taxi – only to have it returned two hours later!
Aside from your own firm, which lawyer do you most admire and why?
Blackstone Chambers' Dinah Rose QC. She is so articulate and original in her thinking, but very down to earth at the same time.
What's your strongest characteristic… and worst trait?
I am calm in a crisis… but I tend to put off boring tasks – like my tax return – until the absolute deadline, thereby causing myself and others unnecessary stress.
What advice would you give to young lawyers starting out?
Work hard but make sure you enjoy yourself at the same time – keep a balance between work and home.
What's the best part of your job?
Working with fantastically clever, fun, charming and interesting people.
What most annoys you about the legal profession?
Presenteeism. It is very old-fashioned to think work is only being done if someone is present in the office; it shouldn't matter where we do our work as long as the job is done well and the clients are happy.
What's the most unusual/shocking request you've ever had from a client?
Not something I can repeat here.
What's the most memorable deal you have ever worked on and why?
An injunction to recover a huge amount of highly confidential and sensitive information stolen by a senior employee – all done and dusted successfully in three days.
What is the daftest bit of corporate jargon you've heard (and did you smirk)?
'Sweat the asset'. Ugh!
Do you see yourself having a career outside law?
Yes, one day. I'd like to try to write thrillers.
What's your favourite item of clothing?
My cashmere winter socks because I get cold feet.
It's midnight and you're in the office for the night. Where's your takeaway from?
Domino's Pizza. I have them on quick click on PayPal on my phone – they are everywhere and deliver quickly.
What are your desert island discs?
Another Brick in the Wall by Pink Floyd, Take the Long Way Home by Supertramp, Walking in the Rain by Grace Jones, Santana's She's Not There, Adele's Someone Like You, Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran, These Streets by Paolo Nutini and U2′s Bloody Sunday.
What's your favourite box set?
Montalbano – an Italian series about a detective who solves gruesome murders while eating delicious Sicilian food.
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