Starting a career in the funds industry often comes with a steep learning curve. At Langham Hall, many of our colleagues begin their journey as interns or trainees, gaining early exposure to real client work while learning alongside experienced professionals.

We spoke with Yashna Rengha, Junior Legal and Transaction Services in our Luxembourg office, who joined as an intern and is now working in a permanent role. She shared what surprised her most about the transition, the challenges of her first months and the advice she would give to others starting out.

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Q&A with Yashna Rengha, Junior Legal and Transaction Services

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How soon did you begin working with clients and what was that experience like?

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I was exposed to client-facing work very early on during my traineeship.

While this initially felt daunting, especially as it was my first experience in a corporate environment, I was supported by the right guidance from the team throughout the process.

I truly appreciated being trusted with that level of responsibility from the outset. It allowed me to better understand both the technical aspects of the work and the expectations of clients in a real-world context.

Over time, this early exposure helped me build confidence and develop the ability to engage with clients more independently.

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What was the most significant learning curve during your first few months?

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The steepest learning curve in my first months was adapting to a new legal and operational environment in the funds industry.

Coming from a litigation background, I had to quickly familiarise myself with Luxembourg-specific structures, internal processes and the practical application of corporate governance in a service-provider setting.

What helped me get through it was being proactive, asking questions, learning from colleagues and taking the time to understand not just the “what” but the “why” and the logic behind each task.

With the support of the team, I was able to gradually connect my existing legal knowledge to the operational realities of the role. This made the transition much smoother and ultimately strengthened my confidence in handling more responsibilities.

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What advice would you give to someone starting their journey here as an intern?

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My advice would be to stay curious and not be afraid to ask questions. Starting in a new environment can feel overwhelming, but taking initiative to understand how things work, both technically and operationally, makes a big difference.

Also, make the most of the exposure you are given and learn from the experience of your colleagues. Even small tasks are opportunities to learn and understand the bigger picture.

Most importantly, be open to feedback. It is one of the fastest ways to grow and build confidence.

At Langham Hall, many careers begin with early responsibility, practical learning and close collaboration with experienced colleagues. Yashna’s experience reflects the opportunities available to those starting out in the funds industry.  To find out more about early careers at Langham Hall, visit our careers page.