Careers

“I worked in a digital media venture fund before joining OC as head of Digital Business, and I came here because I was impressed by the huge and genuine commitment this firm has to its sector-first strategy. Clients readily appreciate and understand the benefits that approach brings and they sense our commitment. It’s what makes OC different from other firms.

“It’s challenging to head the sector of course – but hugely rewarding. Digital Business is very broad and it’s a sector in which a significant number of the firm’s lawyers practise. It’s also by definition very international: the internet and other digital delivery platforms have few geographical boundaries, and that increasingly shapes how we operate. In the last few months, I’ve been to India, Silicon Valley, New York and LA, as well as several European cities.

“At the heart of OC’s culture is a palpable ambition to succeed. But the people here are also fun and friendly. When I arrived I found everyone very welcoming, and there are plenty of processes and procedures in place designed to ease the integration of new people.

"Clients love our can-do attitude. We want to understand, and we want to add value. Above all, we share a genuine desire to use our skills to enhance our clients’ businesses, so when I introduce people from around the firm to clients, they and I have the confidence that they will get the level of service they require."

Catherine Wolfenden
Partner

Specialisms: RegulationLitigation

Bristol: +44 117 917 3000

“I trained in the Magic Circle and joined OC 18 months ago after a move to Bristol. I came here because I wanted to be part of a high-quality litigation team. Since arriving, I have grasped the opportunity to develop a regulated procurement practice and to harness the firm's wider regulatory expertise. I am now head of the regulatory group. My clients send me work from across the UK so the firm I chose had to be more than just a regional player. OC has a major reputation in the South West and a respected London presence, so I spend a day a week in London and I’ve travelled all points North, South and East on client matters.

“I work flexibly, four days a week, one of which is at home. When I started here I worked three days a week, so there’s even been flexibility about my flexible working arrangements. Whilst clients’ needs come first, the firm supports me as a mother of a young family and allows me to balance the progression of my career with family life.

“Since I arrived, I haven’t been boxed into a role; I’ve been encouraged to be entrepreneurial. I’ve had great support, both from the juniors in my team who make things happen in my absence, and with access to senior people. I work with all our Sector Leaders and Practice Heads, and our sector-first approach allows me to develop and promote our regulatory offering to clients on a sector-by-sector basis.”

Omar Al-Nuaimi
Practice Group Head

Specialisms: Banking & FinanceCorporate

Bristol: +44 117 917 3000

"I started at OC as a trainee in September 1995, been here ever since plying my trade as a banking lawyer. I lead our Projects, Real Estate and Finance group which faces a diverse range of challenges but is consistently at the cutting edge of what's going on in the business and political world. It's great to be working in an environment where I get to tackle something completely different every day.

"I'm responsible for making sure our team members know what their role is in delivering our strategy, and providing them with the support they need to be excellent at what they do. I am lucky enough to have built a team of people who I regularly hear fantastic things about from people outside the firm. I think that that is something that resonates well with lawyers who join the firm too – knowing that there's a supportive culture which seeks to integrate you into the business for all our benefit.

"There's no interest in holding people back at OC; we're not described as stuffy, officious or conservative. Instead, the firm actively encourages go-getting entrepreneurial people to develop the business. That means that our people tend to be a bit different to peers at other firms. I'm proud that I have a part to play in its future success."