Liza Strong’s Post

Well as another November rolls around, it can only mean one thing: my work anniversary with Eversheds Sutherland. It’s incredible how these last six years have flown by —they’ve been filled with so much growth and transformation that it feels like a journey in itself. Reflecting on this past year and a half, it’s been a time of significant change and adaptation. Moving into my role as a Client Assistant, I’ve had to navigate the responsibilities of client onboarding, the processing of new matters, and managing third-party payments. Every day has been an opportunity to learn something new — from understanding client structures, identifying key figures and beneficial owners, to assessing high risk factors, politically exposed persons and much more. Each task has its own challenges, and that’s what makes it interesting. I genuinely feel like I’m building skills and gaining insights every day. I also have to give a huge shoutout to my colleagues. Our team’s support and shared knowledge have been pivotal for me, especially as I’ve taken on new challenges. For someone who still occasionally wrestles with the belief they have imposter syndrome, the openness and willingness of my colleagues to help out, offer advice, or just talk through complex issues has been invaluable. Having this kind of network has given me the confidence to keep growing and learning different aspects of my role. Looking to the future, I’m quietly optimistic about what lies ahead. I’m eager to build on the foundations I’ve developed, continue learning, and contribute even more to the team and the firm. Here’s to embracing new challenges and making a positive impact in the years to come! #workanniversary #teamwork

Starting a new job?🎉 Here's how to make a stellar first impression! From my experience at Thornton Legal, I've learned that the first few weeks in a new role are crucial. They set the tone for your future interactions and career growth within the company. Here are some key tips: ✅ Be Punctual: It shows that you value your team's time. ✅ Dress Appropriately: Understand the dress code. When in doubt, err on the side of formality. ✅ Be Proactive: Don't wait for tasks to be handed to you. Ask how you can contribute. Building relationships is just as important as understanding your role. Take the time to introduce yourself and engage with colleagues. Show an interest in what they do. In a recent survey, 60% of new employees who actively sought out connections felt integrated within their first month (CIPD, 2024). Finally, remember that it's not just about fitting in; it's about adding value. Be yourself, stay curious, and don't be afraid to ask questions. Your fresh perspective is a valuable asset to the team. What first-week strategies have worked for you? Share your thoughts in the comments or visit www.thorntonlegal.co.uk to start a conversation with our team. #Legal #CareerTips #ProfessionalDevelopment

🚀 Excited to share that I joined the Baker McKenzie Dozen+ Masterclass series on June 12th! This incredible series, consisting of 12+ events, is designed to help us learn more about the Firm and set ourselves up for clerkship success. 🌟 The topic for the day was "What to Expect from Your Vacation Programme," featuring leading lawyers and candidate attorneys from various practice groups. Their insights were invaluable, and a few key takeaways particularly resonated with me: Virusha Subban emphasized the importance of being optimistic, hungry for knowledge, and full of energy. Going above and beyond with eagerness demonstrates responsibility. She also highlighted the necessity of researching the firm you aspire to join, understanding its culture, and aligning yourself with it. Ayanda Mavata stressed that engagement is crucial when working at a law firm, regardless of the department you're placed in. Active participation and communication are key. Promise Ndlovu reinforced Ayanda Mavata's point about engagement, adding that the tasks assigned during vacation work are realistic and essential for learning. He advised speaking to colleagues if you encounter any challenges, as completing your tasks effectively is paramount. Vacation work is an incredible opportunity to gain experience that will stay with you for a lifetime. It allows you to see if you are a good fit for the firm and to immerse yourself in its culture and operations. and we can not forget Boipelo Soko who chaired and ensured the session runs smoothly. Looking forward to the next session and continuing this journey of professional growth! 💼✨ #LegalJourney #ClerkshipSuccess #ProfessionalDevelopment #LawFirmLife #CareerGrowth

“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success.” – Albert Schweitzer Reflecting on my recent work anniversary, I’m reminded of how McLaren & Associates CPAs, PC prioritizes both success and balance. We’re a team of outside-the-box thinkers who believe in doing things differently and making a positive difference to our community, team, and clients. We understand the challenges of the accountant shortage and are actively working to create sustainable, supportive solutions for our profession. For example, to support well-being, we try to cap hours at 50 during tax season, striving to meet deadlines without burnout. It’s the dedication, teamwork, and shared values that make this place more than just a CPA firm. If you’d like to learn more about our firm or explore current openings, let’s connect! #TeamCulture #GrowthMindset #McLarenCPAs #Innovation #AccountingCareers

I just completed my first Watson Glazer practice test for Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and was pleasantly surprised by my level of critical thinking skills. I now have a solid foundation to build upon in order to improve my overall score and eventually be ready to apply for vacation schemes and training contracts. I cannot recommend this test enough, especially for those who are interested in applying for their training contracts! #watsonglazertest #trainingcontract #recruitment #onlineassessment #lawfirms

I had the pleasure of attending the Jones Day: Future Trainee Panel event this week, hosted by Law Events, which provided an invaluable insight into the culture, expectations, and vacation scheme experiences at one of the leading global law firms. Thank you to Jada Cooke and Aditi for sharing their insightful experiences applying for and accomplishing a 2-week vacation scheme at the firm! The panel was a dynamic session featuring a discussion on the firm’s collaborative culture, its non-rotational training system, and the emphasis on client-centric work from day one. This gave us a clear view of how Jones Day shapes its trainees to become future legal experts. I was particularly interested in the 'walking the floors' system discussed, the merits of which appeal to me. Talking informally and being able to network with so many professionals, and feeling as though the work you do genuinely contributes is something important to me as an aspiring solicitor. Some of the key takeaways I gathered from this session were: ⭐ The importance of commercial awareness, even if its just listening to a financial times podcast ⭐ Building interpersonal skills and collaborative attributes to connect with numerous teams ⭐ Embracing a global outlook, as Jones Day frequently involves cross-border matters. The panellist's also shared some practical tips on applying for a vacation scheme at Jones Day: 🌟 Understanding Jones Day’s non-rotational system and see how it aligns with your career goals. 🌟 Showcasing your personality! As they value well-rounded candidates who are not only academically strong but also bring a unique perspective. 🌟 Adopting a continuous learning mentality to grow from your experiences no matter your position I left the event feeling energized and well-informed. Hearing their authentic experiences has strengthened my interest in applying for their vacation scheme. Looking forward to putting these insights to use in my own application process! #JonesDay #FutureTrainees #LegalCareers #VacationScheme #LawyersOfTomorrow #Networking #CareerDevelopment #AllAboutLawCommunity

I've read recently about one firm's summer bonuses for associates. That's one approach to try and keep associates around. I believe in another. Giving time. Time for family, time for yourself, time for your non-work passions. For example, if any associate I work with his on vacation, I have a strict rule: I will not interrupt the vacation. Time away should be spent reconnecting with those you love and what you love. Even a few minute interruption can materially impact that time. If you let associates truly get away, they come back happier, more refreshed, more appreciative, and more committed to the firm. They come back better people and better lawyers. Oh, by the way, when they do that, they win more and get paid more. So ultimately they win in every way.

"Congratulations on your work anniversary at Kroll" 2 years since I flew the clerking nest and landed at Kroll to help run the law firm relationships - time certainly does fly. What a challenging and rewarding two years it has been. I am extremely lucky to be able to work with such a brilliant group of people across the firm and have some formidable individuals to learn from. As an introverted extrovert (if you know, you know), it isn't always easy and operating outside of my comfort zone is certainly something I have had to learn to get used to - how does that saying go, "get comfortable with being uncomfortable"... because let's face it, that is where the real magic happens. To my wonderful clients old and new, simply, thank you. Having the opportunity to support you and your clients and being your trusted advisor, is a real privilege. I recently read about the phrase "trust leap" - a trust leap is when we take a risk to do something new or to do it differently from the way that we’ve done something before - for those here that have taken a trust leap with me, thank you. Naturally, this milestone presents itself with another opportunity to exploit Lenny Barnes (sorry, not sorry) - he just trusts there is a good piece of cheddar cheese in the fridge with his name on it...a trust leap, if you will. #RiskAdvisory #BusinessDevelopment #Kroll

🎉📈 Celebrating my first month at 🇺🇦 Accountancy Action 🇺🇦 📈🎉 Wow, what a whirlwind it has been! Today marks my one-month anniversary at Accountancy Action, and I couldn't be more thrilled to share my journey with all of you. In this short span of time, I've successfully placed five talented individuals into new roles and survived the first of what I'm sure will be many team nights out at Hijingo Bingo which was an absolute vibe!. It's moments like these that truly solidify the bonds within our team and make coming to work each day an absolute pleasure. But it's not just about the work; it's also about finding that balance between professional fulfilment and personal happiness. I'm truly grateful for the work-life balance that 🇺🇦 Accountancy Action 🇺🇦 has afforded me. Gone are the days of long commutes on crowded trains and tubes or endless hours stuck on a train platform wondering 'will the train ever arrive on time?'. With the office just a mere 10-minute drive away, I've reclaimed precious time to enjoy the things that truly matter in life, whether it's spending time with loved ones, pursuing hobbies, or simply taking a moment to relax and recharge. Cheers to one month down and countless more to go! #AccountancyActionAnniversary #WorkLifeBalance #TeamGoals #accountancyaction #financerecruitment

I immigrated to Canada in 2019 and joined Crowe MacKay LLP as an administrative assistant. Five years later, I successfully organized my first professional conference for 250 people in the beautiful setting of Whistler, BC. Ten things I have learned: 👉 Get your foot in the door 👉 Experience is not always necessary, but a good attitude and willingness to work hard is 👉 There is value in mistakes - learn from them and move on 👉 Be patient - it takes time to find what you are good at 👉 Say "yes" to opportunities, but don't be afraid to say "no” if they don't align with your goals 👉 Learn from others' successes and failures 👉 Nerves are good - they show you care 👉 Be your own best advocate 👉 Network, network, network - fostering relations is the key to success 👉Be kind, always. #GrowWithCrowe