Andrew Hennigar
Former Associate
Corporate law is perfect for me, because the work always changes. You're always moving on to something new, looking forward to the next challenge. Even in the case of a long deal that may last 6 or 8 months, I close it and I move on to the next transaction. It's never been the same thing twice, and the work I've done is cutting-edge.
I definitely find myself ahead of the curve when it comes to assignments. Each deal makes me stretch in new ways. Paul, Weiss does a great job of giving people the work that's right for them to take on. You're never held back for some technical reason – it's never the case that, 'You're not yet a third-year associate, therefore your responsibilities are X and not Y'. It's almost a cliché, but it's true – it's a meritocracy.
Recently I worked on an M&A deal with two partners – just myself and two partners. And after our initial phone call with the client, one of the partners looked at me and said, 'Is my next call to the staffing department, or are you going to do this?' And I said, 'I'd love to tell you yes, but to do so, I am going to need some help from you.' And he was always there – available to teach and answer questions, but never hand-holding. They put me in a situation where I was pushed outside my comfort zone, and in the end, I was running a deal in the early part of only my second year.
I love exploring the intricacies of a deal, its anatomy. Sitting in meetings as a new associate, with very heavy hitters, listening to them talk through practical issues – it transforms words in a term sheet or a contract and brings them to life. Because you see how crucial the deal is to your client.