Karolina Rozycka
Senior Associate, International Arbitration
Office: Paris
Year Joined: 2012
I joined the International Arbitration Group in September 2012, based in the Paris office.
I am qualified to practice in Paris and New York, having studied both in France and the United States. I completed an LLM in International Business Regulation, Litigation and Arbitration at New York University School of Law in 2012. I also hold a Masters in Economic Law from Sciences Po Law School (2011) and a Masters in Global Business Law from the University of Paris I Panthéon Sorbonne (2011). I earned my Bachelor's degree at Sciences Po Paris (2009), during which time I undertook a one-year exchange programme at University College London in the UK.
Why Clifford Chance
As a Magic Circle law firm with a proven track record in multiple jurisdictions, Clifford Chance advises leading companies and financial institutions around the world on their most significant legal and business matters. Today, the firm is a frontrunner not only in each of its core practice areas, but also its geographic markets. It encourages a friendly working environment with exceptional staff and resources. As a member of Clifford Chance's International Arbitration team in Paris, I get to work for a hugely diverse client base on a broad range of cases, collaborating with practitioners across our practice groups and offices.
The best thing about my job
There are a number of things that drew me to Clifford Chance. First, the work is not only challenging, but also very interesting. My practice encompasses international arbitration as well as award annulment and enforcement cases before French national courts. I advise major companies from various industry sectors, including commodities and mining, energy, electronics, or aerospace. Second, from the day I joined Clifford Chance, I was encouraged to adopt a proactive approach, interact with clients and take on increasing responsibilities.
For example, I have always been closely involved in defining the strategy for the cases I work on, in consultation with the partners in charge, as well as the clients. As an associate at Clifford Chance, I also benefit from training programmes of great quality, which allow me to continuously improve my practical skills. Finally, Clifford Chance fosters a friendly, collaborative atmosphere. The business professionals are helpful and dedicated, which makes your work as a lawyer much easier. With new learning opportunities every day, I believe Clifford Chance is the perfect place to gain a unique and diverse experience over the long term.
My most rewarding experience
I am not sure if I could name just one rewarding experience – there have been so many! Each time we win a case after months (sometimes years!) of hard work, drafting submissions, preparing for the hearing – we always feel that our efforts are very much rewarded.
I recently completed an arbitration which I had been working on for the last two years, in which the value of the claim was more than $5 billion. The stakes for the client were very high! The evidentiary hearing lasted for two weeks and was followed by a one-day closing hearing three months later. The submissions on both sides were hundreds (if not thousands) of pages long. The case involved numerous issues varying in nature (contractual, shipping, purely commercial, etc.) which was intellectually challenging.
The people
Clifford Chance people are talented, open-minded and accessible. On top of that, while everyone works hard, people are always available to help one another and the atmosphere is great.
My advice
Believe in yourself, work hard, be nice to people, and you will get where you want to be!