‘It’s not enough to do good work, you have to tell people’: Naomi Tarawali on making it in law |
Naomi Tarawali became a partner at global law firm Cleary Gottlieb aged just 33. She tells us how she did it in this week’s Square Mile and Me
CV
Name: Naomi Tarawali Job title: Partner in dispute resolution at Cleary Gottlieb Age: 35 Born: Kent, UK Lives: London, UK Studied: Law, University of Cambridge (Newnham College) Talents: Karate Coffee order: Latte, hazelnut Cocktail order: French 75 Favourite book: The Memory of Love, Aminatta FornaWhat was your first job?
Waitressing at a charming restaurant in Southwold on the coast of Suffolk. Service was busy and fast-paced, and I learned a lot dealing with customers and managing the chef’s temperament. It was my first ‘client service’ experience and I still rely on the lessons learned there today.
What was your first role in the City?
My first role in the City was as a trainee solicitor at a global US law firm. There was a strong emphasis on learning by doing as a trainee. Getting that sort of hands-on experience meant facing a lot of steep curves, but ultimately gave me great exposure and experience so early in my career.
When did you know you wanted to build a career in business?
Growing up, I’d always been interested in public international law and international relations and did a number of internships in that space, including at the headquarters of the African Union in Addis Ababa. I realised in practice how much the commercial world drives a lot........