Nik D.

Nik D

5.0

(12)

Ex Big Law Associate | Coached interns to partners at global elite firms

London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London Logo

Studied at London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London

NDA Coaching Logo

Works at NDA Coaching

Successful clients at

+5

Available today at 10:30 AM UTC

Questions? Start chatting with this coach before you get started.

Nik's Coaching Offerings

Custom hourly · $299/hr

Get help with Case Analysis, Contract Drafting, and .

Nik also coaches for Career Coaching, Executive Coaching, Leadership Coaching, and Investment Banking. View all.

Nik’s Legal Practice Qualifications

Coaches professionally

Experience level: Associate

Nik has helped clients get into these companies:

Welcome to my profile! With a 1st Class Honours (summa cum laude) law degree from the London School of Economics (LSE), multiple internships with Big Law firms and 6 years as a corporate M&A lawyer at elite global firm Linklaters with significant admissions committee involvement, I know what it takes to succeed at world-leading legal institutions and have helped numerous individuals from a variety of backgrounds worldwide do the same for over 20 years. From coaching and mentoring individuals through the intern and associate application and interview processes, to helping practising lawyers turbo-charge their careers and secure partnership, I have successfully helped numerous clients - many from under-represented demographics - break into and rise to the highest levels of the world's premier law firms (e.g. Kirkland & Ellis, Latham & Watkins, Weil Gotshal, Linklaters, Clifford Chance, A&O, Slaughter & May) Whether you're looking to break into elite legal practice, refocus your career strategy or advance towards/in partnership, I'm here to provide tailored guidance and support. Let's connect and chart your path to success!

Nik can help with:

Case Analysis

Contract Drafting

Freelancing

Interview Prep

Legal Research

Negotiation Skills

Networking Strategy

Resume Review

Salary Negotiation

Skill Building

Trial Preparation

Nik also coaches for Career Coaching, Executive Coaching, Leadership Coaching, and Investment Banking. View all.

About Nik

Described by a senior corporate leader as "a Jedi Master of coaching, by far the best I've ever worked with", I combine 20 years' experience as an executive, leadership and career coach (ICF certified) with 12 years' experience as a top-tier corporate lawyer and investment banker to generate transformational, life-changing personal and career successes for 100s of clients across elite professions and firms worldwide. My coaching success is founded on my track record of sustained excellence and success with the world's leading academic and professional institutions: from winning admission to and graduating from the world's leading schools to securing multiple internship and graduate offers at the world's leading law firms, and successfully pivoting from elite corporate law to investment banking. I've been a trusted adviser to the world's leading corporate, financial, government and entrepreneurial clients and their senior leaders on $billions of market-leading deals, and know what it takes to beat fierce global competition and rise to the top 0.1% at every stage. Beyond my exceptional academic and career record, what truly stands me out is my ability to connect deeply with people at every stage of their career, wherever in the world they're from and whatever their background or circumstances. I've travelled to ~60 countries across every continent, worked in London and Tokyo as an M&A lawyer and investment banker with clients and colleagues on every continent, and coached 100s of clients from every continent across the legal, finance, professional services, corporate, tech and consulting sectors. As someone with multiple under-represented demographic traits, I know what it takes to defy the steepest of odds to succeed at the very highest levels, and have successfully helped numerous clients - many from under-represented demographics themselves - to break into and rise to the highest levels (Director, Partner) of the world's elite corporate and professional services firms (e.g. Kirkland & Ellis, Latham & Watkins, Simpson Thacher, Weil Gotshal, Clifford Chance, A&O, Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, Morgan Stanley, Citi, Deutsche Bank, Fidelity, SoftBank).

Why do I coach?

Coaching is my true calling, my 'ikigai', the answer to the question "What is my superpower?". My life's purpose and passion is to help as many people as possible achieve their ambitions, fulfil their fullest potential and excel in life, personally and professionally. With clients from their early 20s to their mid 60s across the world testifying to the "life-changing" impact I've had on their lives and careers, I know that my unique blend of deep coaching expertise, elite professional background and lived global experiences allows me to fulfil that purpose every single day for the enduring benefit of current and future generations. If you're looking to build the career and life of your dreams, I'd love to meet you and help chart a path for you to achieve that!

Work Experience

HSBC Logo

Associate Director/Vice President, M&A Investment Banking

HSBC

September 2015 - September 2021

Admissions Committee

Delivered premium investment banking advisory services to blue-chip global clients and their senior executives, in originating and executing global M&A, capital investments, fundraising and strategic commercial mandates. Completed a secondment to UK Government Investments (UKGI), where I was a key workstream lead for the UK Government in counterparty negotiations on a ~$50bn national infrastructure project. I also created and delivered a 1:1 coaching offering endorsed by the CEO and COO.

Linklaters Logo

Corporate M&A Lawyer

Linklaters

March 2009 - August 2015

Admissions Committee

Led deal teams delivering best-in-class legal advisory services to blue-chip global clients, their senior executives and boards on complex global M&A, PE and VC investments, capital raisings and strategic commercial mandates across the London and Tokyo offices. Completed a secondment to Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) Group's Corporate Legal team, to help execute the complex intra-group reorganisation of global businesses acquired through the €71bn ABN AMRO takeover.

NDA Coaching Logo

Executive, Leadership and Career Coach

NDA Coaching

October 2005 - Present

I'm a certified Executive, Leadership and Career Coach with 20 years’ experience helping senior and C-suite executives, entrepreneurs and elite legal, financial and investment professionals from a diverse global spectrum develop into exceptional leaders and achieve transformational personal and business successes.

Linklaters Logo

Summer Intern

Linklaters

August 2005 - August 2005

Norton Rose Fulbright Logo

Summer Intern

Norton Rose Fulbright

July 2005 - July 2005

Summer Intern

Ashurst Logo

Summer Intern

Ashurst

June 2005 - July 2005

Freshfields LLP Logo

Intern

Freshfields LLP

April 2005 - April 2005

Nik was also given offers to work at

  • Freshfields LLP Logo

    Freshfields LLP

Education

The Academy of Executive Coaching Logo

The Academy of Executive Coaching

Practitioner Diploma in Executive Coaching (ICF, EMCC and AC accredited)

2024

Chartered Institute for Securities and Investments Logo

Chartered Institute for Securities and Investments

Financial Securities and Investments; Financial Regulation

2015

London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London Logo

London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London

Bachelor's Degree (1st Class Honours), Law

2003 - 2006

Nik was also personally admitted to

  • University College London, University of London Logo

    University College London, University of London

  • King's College London, University of London Logo

    King's College London, University of London

12 Reviews

Overall Rating

5.0


Nik has helped clients get into these companies:

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Nik D.

Nik D.

5.0

 
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