Maria studied an LLM in Energy & Natural Resources Law. Hear how CCLS prepared her for her future career. She is now am Arbitration Specialist in the International Arbitration and Litigation Group at Baker Botts (UK) LLP:
I did some research about Masters courses in International Arbitration and Energy Law as I wanted to specialise in that area of the law. To my surprise, there were only three universities in the UK that offered a course that met my professional interests. A member of the Queen Mary University of London International Student Recruitment Office visited Uruguay for a student recruitment fair two years before I started my course and I was given lots of information about the course and the university. I also had the opportunity to meet CCLS alumni at a dinner organised in Uruguay by Queen Mary, where I had the chance to hear about their experiences.
I chose CCLS as I could select different modules in both energy and international arbitration. Coming from Uruguay, I went to Cambridge two years before my Masters where I participated in a Legal English Course. The experience was fantastic, and I thought if I could study in London, it would be great as there are so many opportunities there to develop a career as an International Arbitration Lawyer.
One week before my course at CCLS started, my company decided they couldn’t give me a scholarship after all: I had already accepted my offer and was mentally prepared to go to London. I arrived on 11 September and the following day I had an interview with a hospitality agency. I worked throughout my Masters which worked really well as my hours could be flexible, fitting in with my course work. I met many people from different backgrounds through my studies and work.
My favourite memory is all the colleagues (from all over the world) that I have the chance to meet during the year. I really felt privileged to have the chance to integrate in debates and exchange opinions, about several legal topics, with a highly qualified team of lawyers, many of whom a strong friendship has been built.
Having the opportunity to stay in touch with academia is fantastic; through academics and alumni you get to keep abreast of all the latest developments in commercial law worldwide. It really opens the door to opportunities and facilitates a mind-set of continuous learning.
After my Masters, some opportunities came up in the legal sector in London. I worked with the Energy Law Institute of Queen Mary University and applied to Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer for an Internship in the International Arbitration Group. In addition, the Queen Mary Careers Department encouraged me to apply through F-LEX for a paralegal position. Then, while I was in Paris on an International Arbitration course, I was offered a position in the legal department at Chevron. Currently, I am working as an arbitration specialist in the International Arbitration Group of Baker Botts (UK) LLP where I have the chance to learn from leaders in International Arbitration, while practicing the Law from a perspective that I really feel passionate about.
Job opportunities in the legal world in London have helped me to define my career path. I have had the opportunity to work as an in-house lawyer, in both the public sector and in the private sector: I have worked for an international oil company and in international law. My experience at Queen Mary not only gave me the knowledge but also the opportunity to see that law could be practiced in different ways. So now I know what I really want and where I am going.I would say to anyone considering applying to Queen Mary from abroad that it is possible. All the limitations and concerns that one might have - which I used to have before pursuing this path - are illusory. If you really want to do it, you can make it happen and believe me it will be worth it.