Emily Coates, an experienced projects and infrastructure lawyer based in Dubai, shares what it’s been like to return to work after a career break and how she’s been able to pursue high quality work through legal consulting.
Why did you choose to partner with Peerpoint to kick off your consulting career?
Having decided to return to work after a career break with my children, I spent some time looking for the right role. Peerpoint was recommended to me by both colleagues and recruitment consultants as an ideal way to return to work on a flexible basis. It is a truly consultant-led platform that has provided me with a unique opportunity to use my skills and experience while also find some balance with my responsibilities at home. The nature and variety of the work made available by Peerpoint, whether in-house within Allen & Overy or client based, is also always of a high calibre so I never feel like I’m having to compromise with the type of work I am doing.
What has surprised you the most about being a consultant?
Since I’ve become a legal consultant, and have had the chance to meet with other Peerpoint consultants, I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the wide variety of people who consult. It’s no longer a role limited to more senior individuals reaching the end of their careers (which had been my initial perception). Consultants come in all shapes and sizes and it’s a career move that can be used to meet so many different ambitions and objectives.
How have you found the return to work and the support provided from Peerpoint and A&O?
I have been lucky enough to have my first assignment within the Allen & Overy projects team. Having been out of the workplace for a number of years, this has made the transition so much easier. From a practical perspective, the individuals I work with are very familiar with the Peerpoint model and committed to its success. I also have very regular contact with the Peerpoint team itself. From a technical perspective, working within Allen & Overy has given me access to individuals, resources, training and a level of support that have made it far easier to bring myself back up to speed following my absence from work.
What are your three pieces of advice for someone considering legal consulting in the UAE?
1. Use a company like Peerpoint. They navigate many of the legal and practical complexities of working in the UAE on your behalf, which makes it a far simpler process for the individual.
2. Do not be shy to articulate exactly the type and amount of work you would like. Legal consultants are in demand in the UAE and people are far more flexible than you might think.
3. Enjoy the chance to sample new and different work opportunities.
As a construction and projects lawyer, how do you feel legal consulting is benefiting your career given how buoyant the market is?
I have been lucky in my initial assignment with the Allen & Overy projects team. The team are always working on incredibly interesting and often high profile projects. Despite the flexible nature of my role, I am exposed to a variety of high quality work and am constantly building my experience. Given the nature of Peerpoint, I have no doubt that if I were to express a particular interest in a certain type of work or client, the team would do their best to find as many suitable opportunities as they could.
Find out more about legal consulting with Peerpoint here or you can contact one of the teams: