After settling in Brighton in September
1998, my first job was at the fish and
chip restaurant on the Palace Pier, as it
should be. I worked there for a couple
of months. I spent many days avoiding
the splashes from the big waves on my
way back to work but then I decided that
it was not the best place to work in the
winter months.
Next, I took a job in one of the big hotels
in West Street, opposite some of the
big bars and clubs. Being so close to
the party scene also meant that I was
socialising a lot with fellow colleagues having lots of fun and with not much time
to sleep, yet I was still turning up at 7am
for the breakfast shift.
Once I felt comfortable with the country
and its people, I started to think about
my professional career. After all, I
studied a law degree in Spain for a
reason. I enrolled at the University of
Sussex for an International Commercial
Law LL.M. (Master of Laws). A
LLM is an internationally recognised
postgraduate law degree and it is usually
obtained by completing a one-year
full-time program or two-year part time.
I completed this while working at Lloyds
TSB, then Brighton and Hove City
Council and eventually, I found a job
with as a litigator at a small law firm in
Brighton.
The masters and the litigation job were
my first contact with English law. It was a
ha rd beginning but interesting, as it was
a huge challenge for me. There were lots
of differences in comparison to the law
I studied in Spain. Spanish law is a civil
law system and codified, while English
law follows the common law tradition.
Once I gained plenty of civil litigation
experience, I tried to move on to
attracting some international work. I
ended up working for a large, national
firm in London.
As I prepared my final papers for my
masters on aviation law, I started having
an interest in that subject. My partner
bought me a flying experience and I
decided that I should continue getting my
private pilot’s licence. This encouraged
me to make my hobby and profession
compatible, so I decided to specialise
in aviation law and I have since gained
experience working at two further law
firms in London.
After becoming a mother, I realised
commuting was not ideal as my daughter
was losing out. I made the decision to
find something locally. That is when
Mayo Wynne Baxter gave me the
opportunity to help them with their plans
for international expansion.
From living in England, I have noticed
there are cultural differences between
England and Spain. I do not think either
country’s culture is better or worse - just
different. Lots of people will have been
to Spain and generally, the Spanish
can be described as cheerful and
outgoing people. Their warmth and initial
friendliness may appear perfunctory or
superficial to an English person.
Doing business in both countries is
different too. Spanish people like to build
up the relationship before making any
decisions. It is not unusual for a two-hour
meeting to begin in a restaurant. Food
is very important to Spanish people business issues may only be discussed
during the last five minutes of the
meeting or back at the office.
In the short period of time spent
discussing the core points issues may
be discussed simultaneously rather
than separately – people may try to
speak at once and interruptions are not
uncommon. This is not an indication of
rudeness, but rather that what you were
saying was of great interest! Agreement
is only usually agreed verbally and only
put in writing in the aftermath.
Before I joined Mayo Wynne Baxter, I
had already heard about the firm. I knew
the staff were considered hard working
and professional. Following acceptance
of the position, I was invited to join the
all-staff conference held at the Amex
Stadium. I thought this was a very nice
gesture. It took place before my start
date, but I thought it would be a good
opportunity to find out about more
elements of the firm and meet more
people.
At the conference, there were many talks
about the success of the firm and plans
for the future and the spirit seemed very
positive. Everybody seemed very proud
of being of the firm and its success. It
was a very different feeling to what I had
experienced at some of the London firms
I had worked in, so I was very happy to
be part of Team MWB.
Everybody has been very welcoming
and this has made my first few weeks
most enjoyable. I could not remember in
my recent history looking forward to the
next working day and I am glad to feel
this again.
I now look forward to getting ready
to assist all the UK companies and
individuals who are thinking about their
international adventure. The beginning
is always difficult so the aim is to make it
as smooth as possible.
And finally, these days my daughter fills
a lot of my spare time but I generally
find time to go out and enjoy myself with
friends. I also enjoy cycling, practising
taekwondo and meditation.
By Carmen Calvo-Couto
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