LLM in Commercial and Corporate Law

Felipe Sperandio, Brazil

School of Law Scholarship Winner 2010-11

LLM in Commercial and Corporate Law

"I studied Law at Universidade Tuiuti do Paraná - UTP, and Business and Administration at Universidade Federal do Paraná - UFPR. Before leaving Brazil I had the chance work in some commercial arbitration along with helping to coach the arbitration moot team of a Law School from my city and, in both occasions, I used to consult and study from books written by Queen Mary professors. Queen Mary has a specialised Centre for Commercial Law Studies which is internationally famous, and within this, there is the School of International Arbitration, which is an icon of excellence among practitioners, scholars and students. For those reasons, Queen Mary was a natural choice for me in order to master my knowledge in Commercial Arbitration.

Upon practicing for five years as a licensed lawyer in Brazil, the LLM was both the perfect prospect to challenge myself and the path to a higher step in the law career. In Queen Mary I have the opportunity to interact directly with professors who are responsible for publishing some of the leading literature in the field, discussing personally real facts and cases in small tutorials frequently held. Furthermore, the varied nationalities and background of students allows us to exchange and compare experiences from different legal systems; situations which make the process of learning even more interesting.

Additionally, the University maintains links with globally respected law firms, enabling the students to attend law fairs and lectures inside these firms; circumstances which allow us to understand the demands of international market and help us to think outside the frame of our original jurisdiction.

Notwithstanding all the benefits of the Centre for Commercial Law Studies Scholarship I was granted, making this experience even more motivational and valuable. The LLM has been above any expectation and I already feel prepared to tackle law cases from different perspectives, applying the legal knowledge gained, which will accompany me throughout my entire career."

Grancia Mugalula, Uganda

LLM Commercial and Corporate Law 2008-2009

Coming from a background of little means, I have always aspired to be a part of the solution to alleviate poverty from Africa and the rest of the developing world. Therefore shortly after my bachelors degree in Law I decided to pursue an LLM in Commercial and Corporate law so as to get an in depth knowledge in matters such as trade, investment, finance, arbitration which are key in today’s global economy.

I chose Queen Mary because of its great reputation and quality. Not only does it have a five star rating but the LLM offers you a wide range of courses to choose from, the lecturers are very friendly and helpful and I strongly believe that with my acquired knowledge in international finance, foreign investment and emerging markets law I am better placed to be of great benefit to my community and will become the advocate that I desire to become.

Being granted a scholarship by the Centre for Commercial Law Studies (CCLS), having the rare chance to study at Queen Mary one of the leading universities and having the privilege to study in London - the centre of law and government - not only exposed me to valuable and practical insights in law but is also one of the greatest rewards for my motivation and persistence for success. The legal career has given me the unique opportunity to express my innate intelligence while benefiting and influencing human life at the same time.

I am forever grateful to the CCLS, all the friends I made while in London and above all God who made my stay at Queen Mary worthwhile in one way or another.

Living in London can be quite challenging, but if you face it all with an open mind I guarantee you a successful time - both as a student and career wise if you plan to stay on after school.

I have now returned home to practice law there but I will not forget that I might not be who I am today if it had not been for the foresight and generosity of people I had never seen. I will not forget that I hovered on the brink of destiny which like all things fortuitous and providential lay far beyond my power to determine. Long live Queen Mary University of London!

Irfan Munawar Gill, Pakistan

LLM Commercial and Corporate Law

"After doing my LLB from University of Punjab, Pakistan, I started my professional career with a firm commitment to become a truly professional and leading lawyer with the ability to solve the legal complexities with a relative ease. Having spent about one year as a practicing lawyer, I realized that legal profession is a much competitive and demanding profession and the road to success is not straightforward, so I made up my mind to do LLM from the UK.

Choosing a law school was not an easy task as I was looking for an institute which could grow and refine my academic skills on the one hand and give me better understanding of demands and challenges of legal profession on the other hand. Although I had been offered places by almost all top law schools, I made the best choice by selecting Queen Mary because it is the only law school that concentrates on the personal as well as the professional development of students."

Jagdish Patel, India

LLM in Commercial and Corporate Law 2008-9

“I studied at the University Law College (Bangalore University) in Bangalore. The reasons I came to London and Queen Mary were for the strong Arbitration and Finance courses and of course the reputation of the Centre for Commercial Law Studies. In addition, the fact that UK is the second largest investor in India and the growth that such an investment would bring into the country. The legal sector has been opened up to the UK law firms. To make the best of this situation a qualification from the London University and also a dual qualification of being a solicitor and an advocate would definitely go a long way in establishing my own practice.

Life in London has been fantastic, a truly multicultural city, very culturally tolerant. There is everything in London to make sure you don't feel homesick especially the fact that you miss food!

Now that I have completed my LLM, I intend to take up the qualified lawyers transfer test (QLTT) this year on a conditional certificate issued by the SRA (Solicitors regulation authority). The condition being that I have to work a year or two but at least one year in the UK and the rest maybe in India to qualify as a solicitor.”

Shana Hofstetter, USA

LLM Commercial and Corporate Law

Before attending Queen Mary, School of Law, I had completed my Juris Doctor at William & Mary School of Law in Virginia, USA. I decided to become a lawyer after working at a think tank specialising in economic development.

Queen Mary's programme in international commercial law was a great fit with my interest in international trade issues. The course struck a balance between public and private international law, which opened up a number of career opportunities. After my degree, I will return to the United States and pursue a career in international trade law in Washington, DC.

To hear more about Shana's experience at Queen Mary watch her profile video.

Susan Iminza Kaisha, Kenya

LLM Commercial and Corporate Law

"I really wanted to study in London and chose Queen Mary after researching widely on Universities in London and establishing that the Centre for Commercial Law Studies (CCLS) at Queen Mary is renowned for its high calibre teaching staff and excellent research work.

The course content is comprehensive and the quality of the teaching staff at Queen Mary exceptional. I also enjoy the interactive seminars including the sessions where eminent practitioners in various fields have been invited to speak to us about their areas of expertise. The web course tools offered by the university are extremely useful and provide easy access to the course materials, electronic journals and cases.

The Queen Mary staff have been extremely friendly and efficient right from the start. After I received my offer letter while I was still in Kenya, I was kept up-dated on important details that were sent to me well before my arrival that helped me settle into the University quickly. Since my arrival at the University, I have found the staff to be helpful, knowledgeable and easily accessible.

The University is well equipped with excellent modern facilities. It is a true melting pot with numerous nationalities from around the world represented here. This has enriched my experience all the more.

After I complete my postgraduate studies, I intend to return to my country, Kenya, and work for a developmental agency where I hope to apply the knowledge I have acquired during my LLM particularly in the module relating to the Law of finance and foreign investment in emerging economies."