We are booming: 5 young wolves join the Bannister pack

Last year, an energetic band of young wolves reinforced the Bannister team. Five recently graduated lawyers, all eager to make their "not so average" contribution. All five equally ambitious, all five with a clear -but strikingly different- vision on life and on the legal profession. During a team-building weekend in the Ardennes, we gathered around the fireplace and asked them some pressing questions. And no, the 'patrons' were not there, so the answers are honest and pure. As we are used to from real Bannisters.

Why Bannister?

When asked why they chose Bannister, the answers come almost automatically and are not surprising. The multidisciplinarity, the atmosphere and the open team spirit are things that clearly recur often. No gray, hierarchical states but a remarkably open and transparent culture, everyone seems to agree.

For Marthe Everaet, a member of the Criminal Justice team, it is clear why she chose Bannister. "I find the fact that with us you have all the branches of law under one roof so fascinating. You can really look beyond the boundaries of your own niche and consult with one of your colleagues in another department, just by going two desks over".

Emilie Hermans, colleague in that same department, joins her "Indeed, I feel the same way. In addition, it is also the ambitious, and relatively young, team that attracted me so much here. No gray crocodiles, with all due respect (laughs), but vibrant individuals's".

That the atmosphere in the office is important to these young upstarts is undeniable. For Sam Syniawsky, employment law department, that atmosphere is what makes the big difference. "There is a lot of hard work here, but there can also be laughter. Sometimes you just need that in between heavy workloads.."

Challenges? Opportunities!

When asked what would be the biggest challenge for such a young professional, the question remained silent for longer, not an obvious one as it turned out. Whoever thought that being able to let go of certain dossiers or keeping the necessary distance would be challenges is wrong.

It's Brent Roskams, family law, who kicks off. "Challenge? For me, it is to gain practical knowledge. To be able to put my theoretical knowledge into practice in the shortest possible time. But honestly... (department head) Steven supports me tremendously in that, so maybe it's not really such a big challenge after all".
That switch to practical knowledge is also something that strikes Kiana Verhoeven of traffic law; "Guidance is indeed so important. Starting lawyers like us need an open structure so that you are not deterred from asking for help, and that is certainly not the case here".

In addition to accessibility, the Bannister Academy, a broad training and education program in which we immerse young potentials in the legal profession and introduce them to the various branches of law, cited. "The master class on communication and social media, for example, that really helped me a lot. It's such things that turn challenges, in my opinion, into opportunities faster, hands on and gààn!" laughs Sam.

Professional goals?

That the five youngsters are all cut from Bannister cloth becomes clear when asked what their long-term professional goals are. Not once is there no answer, no frowning brow, the discussion does not fall silent. Our young wolves are correct, ambitious and have a clear vision.
Emilie is short and clear, she just wants to continue providing the best assistance to her clients. "Contributing to justice" adds Marthe resolutely.
Kiana dreams of one day mentoring start-up lawyers herself, "Because that guidance is so important to find your way and because it allows me to do my part for the future generation of new-Bannisters.".
The future is assured!

A new year, what can we wish for?

"Less corona. And continue to grow, both as individuals and as a team" Brent sets the tone for wishes for 2022. "Keep going, complete small and large files successfully and more hot Fridays" adds Sam cheerfully.
For Kiana, Marthe and Emilie too, the mix of hard work, successes and the necessary dose of fun in an enthusiastic team are things they want to continue unabated in 2022. And there is one thing they agree on and cannot stop talking about ... They are looking forward to an important Bannister milestone. About which we will inform you in detail later.

Want to be part of our pack yourself? Via Bannister Academy find out all about our training program. Through this link stay up to date on open positions.