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Martin Bartlam

Managing Partner of the London office of global law firm Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, Martin
Bartlam, worked as a gardener at Bradford College whilst he was a law student in the 1980s.

Martin BartlamBefore qualifying as a lawyer in 1987, Martin started his career as a gardener at Bradford College, where he spent 2 summer vacations carefully tending the roses and mowing the large lawns around the McMillan Halls of Residence.

Martin qualified as a solicitor at Slaughter & May, and then moved to Wilde Sapte. He spent 2 years as a banker at Crédit Lyonnais, then joined Jones Day as Head of Finance before moving to Orrick as a partner in 2004, becoming London Managing Partner in 2006.

While Martin’s career has blossomed, the gardens were torn up in 2007 to make way for our stunning new Trinity Green campus, which opens in September 2008.

Martin is now part of Orrick’s global leadership team which is responsible for the management, strategy and direction of the firm. Martin’s legal practice is as an international finance lawyer heading transactions on behalf of major investment banks and funds. He is known in the finance market for developing innovative multibillion dollar deals that use complex financial structuring techniques. Martin appears on CNBC commenting on the credit default swap market. He is currently writing a book on the legal aspects of the structured finance market.

Despite a hectic international schedule, Martin took time to return to his roots in November 2007 to offer the benefit of his experience to our law degree students. Martin encouraged them to be ultra ambitious, explaining how to follow in his footsteps and reach the top in a big international firm in his insider’s guide to what top law firms are looking for and how the students could equip themselves for success.

“Working as a gardener in Bradford College was a wonderful way to spend the summer. Whilst tending to the gardens, I had the opportunity to consider my future career. I am honoured to be considered as one of the heroes of this institution.”

Photograph supplied by Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe