This month, we caught up with Matt Cunningham, Waterfront’s newest Partner and the man behind the firm’s growing corporate practice.
What was your last role before you joined Waterfront?
Solicitor in the commercial litigation department of Hextalls LLP, a medium-sized City firm.
What made you decide to move?
I realised that litigation was not for me and wanted to get back to doing commercial work (I had worked in-house at an IT company while studying the Legal Practice Course part-time). I also wanted to work in a more dynamic, progressive environment (law firms can be very stuffy and traditional) and Waterfront offered me the opportunity to do this while still working in private practice.
Why focus on corporate law?
I enjoy the variety and the project-based nature of the work. We advise businesses at all stages in their lifecycle from start-up to exit, and each deal is a distinct project and very different to the last.
What is your best Waterfront achievement during your time here?
Creating a corporate team. Waterfront was doing bits and pieces of corporate work when I arrived, but now we have a dedicated team and a steadily growing practice.
And the Waterfront-related thing you’d like to forget the most?
Singing Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me (very badly) with Matthew Harris at a karaoke after party (although I don’t think we’ll be allowed to forget since it was caught on video).