Giovanni Castronovo

Managing Associate in the commercial real estate team at Mishcon de Reya LLP

Hi, I'm Giovanni Castronovo and I studied LLB Law within Southampton Law School at the University of Southampton.

For anyone looking to start a career in law, I would offer one key piece of advice. Begin your professional journey with an open mind. Whilst you may have pre-conceived ideas about which area of law you would, or would not, like to work in, you may discover what you really enjoy once you begin practising.

I wanted to study at a prestigious law school with high academic standards – Southampton ticked this box. The law school proactively encouraged students to think about their long-term aspirations and goals, and provided ample career advice. I found this to be invaluable in understanding not only what I wanted to do after university but the steps I would need to take to get there. It was as a direct result of the university careers programme that I was able to secure a summer vacation scheme placement in my second year, and subsequently a training contract, with a London-based law firm.

I started my traineeship in 2011 at Trowers & Hamlins LLP. During these two years I worked across four different departments, including six months in the Bahrain office, before qualifying into the commercial real estate team in 2013. After eight happy years I decided to seek a different challenge and moved to Mishcon de Reya LLP.

I practise as a commercial real estate solicitor, and continually develop skills including drafting and negotiation. I act for various domestic and international clients across the commercial real estate industry, including public and private limited property companies and institutional investors.