7/28/2019 Adventures of Rina Goldenberg Lynch Director, Legal
Department ING Bank NV, London Branch
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Adventur es of Rina Goldenberg Lynch
Di rector, L egal Department
ING Bank NV, London Branch
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THE JOURNEY OF A LAWYER
A new beginning?
Mine is what you might describe as the life of a nomad: born in
Russia, shuffled around a couple of other countries, to
finallysettle in yet another (where I graduated from school and
attended university), only to uproot again for a move to London.
I
believe I have finally laid down a more permanent foundation in
London, but oh boy are my feet itching again! This time,
however, I decided to satisfy my craving for change by pursuing
new interests in my career. How will I do this? I figure I havethe
next 20+ years to work that out. But this is where my NEW journey
begins.
We often end up in a career as a result of a random act.I spent
my formative years in five different countries, being schooled in
three languages, when (at the age of 17) I moved to the
US. At that time, my main agenda was trying to fit in. And
although I was preparing to attend university, I had no idea what
Iwanted to study. My mother, a banking assistant, and my father, an
engineer, were not attractive role models in my own search
for a meaningful career. So, having graduated university with a
major in marketing and business administration and a minor in
German, I took the first job that I was offered: a role at the
very university from which I graduateda safe and
interestingproposition. It was not until several months into my new
career that I had identified exactly what I wanted to do with my
life.Attending a conference, I found myself drawn to a legal
presentation. I used to think that the practice of law was
aboutseclusion and research, reading and drafting documents, and
not much interaction with others. This presentation was a
different
type of law: it was clear and powerful, and obviously of
interest to a room full of people who appeared keen to hear it.
The
presenter was well organised and eloquent, yet casually
friendly. The talk made me want to be that person standing at
thepodium, delivering the presentation. It made me want to
influence decisions, add value to others and to make a difference.
It
became clear to me that I could do those things as a lawyer. And
that is when I decided that I would go to law school.
I started my legal career in Washington DC, working for the US
Government. Five years later, I accepted a position in thebanking
department of Clifford Chance LLP and moved to London. After
another five years I embarked on my current role atthe legal
department of ING Bank. As a senior banking lawyer, Im involved in
a choice of lending transactions, working both
with internal and external banking clients in a variety of
industry segments. The job gives me the opportunity to use the
expertise I have developed as a lawyer, working in a friendly,
flexible and nurturing environment, in a company that recognisesand
affords me the advantages of work-life balance!
What else is there?I have now been practicing law for eighteen
years and feel the need to do something different, a need to give
back. I have
enjoyed being a lawyer, but believe that one linear career path
may not always be sufficient for careers that span 3 or
moredecades. ING provides an environment that values my input and
offers me the flexibility of being a mum and a career-minded
womanall important considerations for a working woman.
Fortunately, in addition to holding a versatile and stimulating
legal
job, I have also been able to get involved in initiatives that
matter to me, like chairing the employee representation body,
beinga mentor in our mentoring program and, most recently, being
involved in the gender diversity initiative. More and more,
these
other initiatives provide an outlet for my quest for change. I
have started making my mark on the company not only throughlegal
transactional support, but also by speaking up and encouraging a
culture change on issues that matter. The more I act onthese
interests, the more I discover new opportunities for growth and
development.
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7/28/2019 Adventures of Rina Goldenberg Lynch Director, Legal
Department ING Bank NV, London Branch
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Through all this, I have learned that, often, change can be
achieved via evolution rather than revolution. I have always
enjoyed
the human angle oflawyeringthe negotiating, advising and
influencing aspects of the job. Now I want to use these skills
totake my career to the next level and to give something back. I
can do that by getting involved in other initiatives and by
expanding my remit and reputation not only as a lawyer but as a
change agent. Taking a pro-active approach with my employer
to diversify wasnt as difficult as I had originally feared.
So what is my message?My message is quite simply: If you are not
fulfilled in your current role (as many of us might not be, for all
sorts of reasons)then try to find something that satisfies you. We
only get one chance at life, so its important we get it right.
Change doesnt have to be drastic or even mean the end of one
career before another can begin. Career paths can run alongside
each other, allowing us to gradually shift between the two
tracks. Ask yourself, What am I interested in? What matters to
me?
What else am I good at? and the answer to these questions might
lead you to embark on a new journey.
At the age of 45, I feel that there are still enough career
years left for me to begin a new one. I dont have to move jobs
orcountries to feel fulfilled again; I just need to shift my focus
and find that one angle that energises me. So, while it may be
the
case that I will remain a nomad all my life, I have found a way
to reign in the wanderlust and to put its engine to better use.
Rina Goldenberg Lynch
Director, Legal Department
ING Bank NV, London Branch
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