Dominic joined LEXR as an interim Junior Associate in June 2024. Over the last three months, he worked with the VC & Transactions team after he took the written bar exam in Zurich at the end of May. In this career story, Dominic shares insights into his journey from litigation to corporate law, his responsibilities at LEXR, and what it was like to be at LEXR for such a short time.Â
Can you tell us a little about your background and what led you to pursue a career in law?
I grew up in a small town near Wil in the canton of St. Gallen. After a short detour via the University of St. Gallen I obtained both my bachelor’s and master’s degree in law at the University of Zurich. My interest in the law began as early as high school. In particular, I am fascinated by the interplay between the individual areas of law and finding solutions in a wide variety of life situations. The thrill of finding such perfect solutions for clients intensified during my training and the various places I worked.
What inspired you to join LEXR as an Interim Junior Legal Counsel?
I saw it as the perfect opportunity to broaden my practice areas and make the most of the time between my written and oral bar exams. Before LEXR, I had mainly worked in litigation and had limited experience in corporate law. The opportunity to join LEXR for three months gave me the chance to discover this largely unknown field for myself. I am glad that I took this step and was given this opportunity.
What is it like to be part of the Corporate & VC Transactions team at LEXR?
I felt a great energy from day one. The team pushes and supports each other wherever possible. Thanks to the experience of my colleagues, I was able to quickly immerse myself in the world of transactions and learn something new every day. I also appreciate that my superiors took the time to share background knowledge and their experiences with me. One can really feel that every member of the team is relied upon, which is why I felt integrated from day one.
What exactly do you do and what are some of the typical tasks you are responsible for?
Every day begins with our check-in call, where each team member briefly explains what is on their agenda for the day. This is typically followed by individual calls between the team members to update each other, discuss open issues or brainstorm certain topics. I am mainly responsible for preparing documents for financing rounds, drafting various corporate documents such as shareholder’s agreements, share purchase agreements or investment agreements. It is always important to keep the client’s wishes in mind and to work out customised solutions. In addition, there is a lot of communication with the clients, which can involve answering general questions or explaining specific clauses in the previously mentioned agreements. So, no two days are the same and there is a dynamic that requires you to be on top of your game.
You were at LEXR only for a short time. Was it difficult to learn everything and adapt to the tools and processes in such a short time?
The introduction to the administrative processes by the team in Zurich, the onboarding checklist that every newcomer receives, and the general helpfulness of all employees made my start very comfortable. The openness and the opportunity to ask questions at any time also played a big part in making me feel at home right from the start. You are given a lot of responsibility from day one, so you have to familiarise yourself with the procedures and processes anyways. Thanks to the support of the team, I had no problems with this.
Would you recommend LEXR to other aspiring legal professionals, especially if it is for such a short period of time? If so, why?
Definitely. I wouldn’t want to miss the opportunity to gain an in-depth insight into the world of transactions and would recommend it to anyone. The way of working at LEXR is very refreshing, you are given a lot of responsibility, team spirit is very important and people support each other wherever possible. For this reason alone, I would recommend such an opportunity to anyone who enjoys teamwork and is eager to jump in at the deep end. Having said all that, I am now very much looking forward to our team retreat in Amsterdam and to hopefully crossing paths with LEXR and its people again in the future.