Brief Encounters: Isabel Lightbody

Isabel Lightbody - International Arbitration Associate at Freshfields

We catch up with Isabel, an arbitration lawyer at magic circle firm Freshfields, as she shares her international journey into law, from studying abroad and working as a lawyer in Germany to qualifying in the UK through a unique cross-border training setup. Isabel reflects on finding confidence and balance in her professional life, developing self-assurance as a junior lawyer and the importance of maintaining interests outside of work to build a sustainable legal career. We go into detail about the specifics of her role as an arbitration associate, from drafting submissions and conducting cross-examinations to what it's really like to manage long-running cross border disputes.