Sarah Jane Bellingham - Lawyer
After completing my training contract with a mid-sized general practice firm, I joined the corporate team as a Junior Lawyer in May 2021 and I was promoted to Lawyer in 2023. Since joining Baker McKenzie I have worked on a variety of transactions, gaining experience in private mergers and acquisitions, large-scale corporate reorganisations, and capital markets transactions. I have also been involved in regulatory work with our London office. Baker McKenzie's global nature has given me the opportunity to work on multi-jurisdictional deals with our teams across the globe, this has allowed me to gain valuable knowledge and build relationships with skilled lawyers from across the world. I am also fortunate to work alongside a great team in Belfast who are always on hand to pass on their knowledge and help develop my career.
The wide variety of work Baker McKenzie attracts has enabled me to gain experience in areas that I had previously never considered and this has helped me navigate a career path that I am passionate about. An extensive range of training sessions, which are delivered by specialists, are made available to us every week and these sessions have been helpful in expanding my knowledge in areas of particular interest to me. Since beginning my career as a qualified solicitor, I have found the open approach to feedback and discussion of career goals and progression particularly helpful; I receive regular feedback on my work and there is a real focus on recognising and appreciating hard work, both individually and as a team.
Outside of day-to-day work, the Firm takes an active approach to fulfil its values. We operate a flexible policy when it comes to choosing our two days in the office, which makes a work-life balance much more manageable. We have regular team and office-wide events to allow the team to build friendships outside of work hours and form relationships with colleagues outside of our team. There is also a great CSR programme at the Firm and I have enjoyed making the most of our volunteering opportunities; running events as a member of the LGBTQ+ committee for our nominated charity partner; and getting involved in events for International Women's Day, Pride, and an office "Wellness Week".