Emma Danks, Taylor Wessing

Taylor Wessing partner Emma Danks heads up the firm's U.K. private equity practice and is the global co-head of the firm's corporate and M&A group. Here, she talks about the beauty of noise-cancelling headphones and fluctuating productivity levels…

Describe your home workspace in three words.

Sunny, laptop, iPhone.

What's the best part of working from home?

Getting a chance to walk around and see the local neighbourhood during the week when I pop out for a breath of fresh air.

What time do you tend to start your day, take lunch and finish up?

Pretty regular start — early morning exercise in park at around 7am; lunch depends on timing of calls (and same for finishing up but aim for dinner at around 8pm).

Do you prefer phone calls or video calls?

Depends on my mood and also who the call is with. I try to use both during the day… and also vary calls by either sitting at the desk or walking around using headphones.

Do you get dressed properly every day?

Yes, although not as I know it… the heels are all in lockdown in the office.

What's the first thing you'll do when the lockdown is lifted?

Travel somewhere outside of Zone 1 environs.

What's the biggest challenge about working from home?

The firm's IT systems have been pretty robust, especially in light of just how many people are working from home simultaneously but I am still not used to reading long documents on a screen! I finally had to get a printer…

How many times a day are you interrupted by pets/ spouses/ children?

No idea. The noise cancellation headphones are brilliant.

What's the most embarrassing thing that's happened to you on a video call?

Nothing on work video calls other than people accidentally coming off mute whilst you're doing a webinar etc. But was enthusiastically participating in a gym class via Zoom and slipped on the floorboards… splat on my face. Assuming/hoping the instructor didn't see that.

What do you miss most about the office?

The ad hoc interactions with colleagues — whether in my team and other lawyers, or those working around the firm — in the office restaurant, coffee shop, post room etc. Taylor Wessing is a friendly place and we tend to know each other's name and say hello and have a chat.

How are you spending your weekends? Is there a Netflix recommendation you'd share?

Spending as much time outside as possible especially now the lockdown is eased a little (so afraid I am the worst person to ask about box sets!).

How productive are you working from home compared with being in the office?

It varies — I find that productivity and efficiency is exaggerated — so if I am having a productive day, it is REALLY productive when working from home (and ditto if less so).

Background music or silence?

See above re headphones!

What are the best and worst remote working experiences you have had?

Best — appreciating the weather and changing seasons, which I don't always otherwise notice so much. Worst — achieving a deal closing but not having the usual opportunity for the team camaraderie and celebrations with the team and client afterwards.

How do you think your clients feel about you advising them remotely?

Probably no different and especially those who are based outside of U.K. – a lot of client communication is already done on phone/email.

How do you like to stay in touch with your colleagues?

Email, calls, WhatsApp — plus virtual coffee and drinks catch ups.

What would be your three top tips for others working from home?

Try to get some exercise every day, preferably outside; actively communicate with each member of your team (which includes listening to them too, not just talking); be disciplined in creating boundaries.