Lobna Ismail
Associate
I studied law in Egypt and practised in Cairo for a few years before relocating to Belfast. I moved here and joined A&O in 2017, because I knew I would get an opportunity to work on really high quality projects.
I worked mainly on banking and finance deals back in Egypt and I’m now one of the banking associates in Belfast – when I first arrived I got the opportunity to work on international capital markets and corporate transactions to try something different, but after a while I decided to focus on banking, which is what I have always enjoyed.
Over the last four years I’ve had the chance to convert my qualification and become a qualified English solicitor. I knew that with A&O I would find the support I needed to develop my career. I’m surrounded by knowledgeable people who will always assist me when I need it, and I’ve been able to take study leave when necessary.
I’ve worked with lots of different A&O offices: I’m involved in a matter with the New York team that’s been going on since 2018, and I’ve worked directly with partners and associates in London, Singapore and Dubai. I’ve also handled a wide range of matters and had access to all sorts of training sessions relevant to my day-to-day work.
We get to work on top-tier projects but we don’t work such long hours as you would in a traditional legal team – you wouldn’t get the opportunity to work on these kinds of deals elsewhere without only getting a few hours of sleep a night.
The office atmosphere is really friendly. You’re not just a number sitting at a desk doing a job. You feel like you are part of one big family and the managing associates are really understanding and easy to reach out to whenever you need them.
Contact details
Contact details
Belfast
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68 Donegall Quay
Belfast
BT1 3NL
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