Gavin Margetson

Title: Senior associate 
Division: Dispute resolution
Location: Tokyo

I joined Herbert Smith in September 1999, after participating in a vacation scheme at the firm in 1997 (during a summer off from studying law at Nottingham University). The two factors that particularly impressed me about the firm was the quality of the work that I had a chance to be involved in and the wide mix of people from different backgrounds when compared to other top city firms.

After completing my training contract in London and Bangkok, and then spending three years in London after qualification, I now work in the Tokyo office. Most of my work is international: either in-bound (acting for foreign companies in Japan) or out-bound (Japanese companies involved in business with foreign entities). I have also been on secondment to Marubeni Corporation, a large Japanese trading company.

Herbert Smith has given me many memorable moments. Two that stick out are acting for a German international footballer on his dispute with two Premiership teams; and achieving a highly successful settlement for a Japanese telecoms company in a long running ICC arbitration.

Many people might think that the atmosphere within a City firm would be aggressive. At Herbert Smith it’s quite the opposite – collegial and supportive. Wherever I have worked within the network it has been a pleasant experience.

The benefits are good too, in terms of the quality of work, training opportunities and future prospects. And of course there’s a competitive compensation package.