Michael Poulton

Title: Partner
Division: Finance, securitisation and structured finance
Location: London

I joined Herbert Smith in September 2008 from Citibank, where I was an investment banker in their European securitisation business.  Previously to that I had been at Clifford Chance LLP since 1997, practising in their structured debt group.

Having decided that I wanted to practise law again, I was looking for a firm with a reputation for quality.  Herbert Smith has that reputation, a fantastic client base and an ambition to grow its finance practice in London and internationally.

Since joining, I have gained a great deal of satisfaction from adding to our finance business. In particular by winning mandates for products we had not previously advised on (covered bonds) and from clients we had not worked for to any great degree in the London finance group (Goldman Sachs).

Because I practise finance law my work is international by its nature. My clients operate throughout Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Currently I am working on deals with English, Irish, Portuguese and Greek elements. We are also looking at transactions in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

A career at Herbert Smith gives you the opportunity to become much more than an excellent lawyer. It allows you to develop all the skills necessary to work in many careers in the City.