Finding Success In Your Career with Daniel Winterfeldt, General Counsel for EMEA and Asia at Jefferies | Creating the Connection Podcast, Season 1, Episode 2

Welcome to the second episode of Creating the Connection, a podcast presented by The Stephen James Partnership.

 

'Creating the Connection,' hosted by Samuel Clague, seeks to break down the barriers of social mobility by providing practical solutions and fostering meaningful dialogue with top legal leaders, driving important conversations and sparking lasting change.

 

Daniel Winterfeldt, General Counsel for EMEA and Asia at Jefferies, shared his inspiring journey from pre-med to law, shaped by his diverse background. He highlights the importance of meritocracy, inclusion, and creating supportive workplaces, emphasising how diversity and strategic career management lead to better client solutions.

How does Daniel Winterfeldt define success in his legal career beyond overcoming the challenges of his socioeconomic background? Daniel believes that success isn't just about following the traditional path of law school to a top firm. Instead, he emphasises the value of building supportive relationships, finding mentors and sponsors, and pursuing opportunities that align with personal goals.

Daniel also underlines the need for diverse and socially mobile talent to be aware of their personal brand and career path, and to manage their careers actively.

He additionally discusses the unique hurdles that socially mobile individuals face in the legal profession, and how they might need to reshape their understanding of success. Daniel’s journey shows that there’s no single path to achieving success, it's about carving out your own.

This episode leaves us with the notion that success is not always a straight, linear path, and it often involves overcoming obstacles, navigating challenges, and being more open to the unexpected opportunities that may lie ahead. 

Ready to join Creating the Connection and help drive real change in the legal industry? Listen now!

Timestamped guide: 

01.21 - What initially attracted you to the law, Daniel?

08.19 - How did your background and socially mobile upbringing influence your career path in law?

16.19 - How have you coped with adversity or have to overcome rejections in the kind of professional capacity?

23.05 - At what point did you realise that building a strong network and finding sponsors was key to your career success?

32.33 - What do you think success looks like in the legal sector about social mobility?

32.37 - What advice and insights can you share on the future of social mobility in the legal profession?

 

Connect with your host, Samuel Clague: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuel-clague-32911723/ 

 

Connect with your guest, Daniel Winterfeldt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielwinterfeldt/

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Explore more about The Stephen James Partnership here: https://thesjp.co.uk/

 

And discover SJP's Search and Advisory arm here: https://stephenandjames.co.uk/