Claudie Tirefort

"Consulting has brought me challenging, diverse work while also allowing me to operate more flexibly."

I’m a mid-level private equity lawyer. I made the jump to consulting in 2021, after four years in private practice at the London and New York offices of a leading U.S. law firm. I’d gained valuable experience advising on mergers and acquisitions, large reorganisations, big commercial contracts and more but I started to feel I needed more variety.

I think it’s important to embrace different kinds of legal experience as you progress up the career ladder. That way, you can broaden your capabilities and stay employable. Through legal consulting with Peerpoint, I’m discovering all that is very achievable.

My current placement, for example, is with a global venture capital firm. This is a field I’ve long wanted to explore. The legal team is quite small, so I knew I’d be tasked with quite substantial, senior-level responsibilities that would stretch me – exactly what I was looking for. So far, I’ve worked on some really big projects that involve the firm’s U.S. offices, so there’s also the added attraction of a multinational environment.

It's been a big boost to my confidence as a lawyer realising that I can step into a new field, as I have done with this engagement, and make a success of it. Being proactive, adaptable and a quick study definitely helps. What’s also been great is knowing Peerpoint has my back. The team has been super supportive. I know if I have any issues, they will be there for me.

So far, I’ve chosen to engage with Peerpoint through my own legal practice. This way, I feel I can test the waters and experiment with consultancy work patterns while retaining a few other clients at the same time.

Most of all, I’m enjoying the fact that I’m not locked permanently into any one environment and have more control of my working life. That enables me to balance my dedication to clients with other interests. I’m a passionate amateur boxer and marathon runner and keeping fit is a huge part of my life. Working this way means I can accommodate my training routine.

I’m just delighted at how well consulting has worked out so far and look forward to continuing my partnership with Peerpoint.

A&O Shearman was formed on 1 May 2024 by the combination of Shearman & Sterling LLP and Allen & Overy LLP and their respective affiliates (the legacy firms). This consultant profile may include reference to roles/assignments generated by one or more of the legacy firms rather than A&O Shearman.