Cityscape

Kafilat Aderibigbe

What were you doing before the MCL?

I was an associate at G. Elias & Co., one of Nigeria’s leading business law firms, for about two years. I worked in the corporate department of the firm advising on local and cross-border transactions, including syndicated financings, securities offerings, mergers and acquisitions.

Why did you take the MCL?

Having deciding to further my legal career with additional academic study, I sought a practically oriented Masters programme. The MCL curriculum, especially the Deals Course, met that criterion. I was also particularly attracted to the small size of the class, having studied in very large classes since high school.

What were your impressions of the MCL?

The MCL programme has provided me with a better understanding of the legal system in the UK and other major jurisdictions. The small size of the class fostered participation. It was also easy to interact with distinguished practitioners, who were always willing to provide insights into legal issues and offer career-related advice.

It was very enlightening to exchange ideas and experiences with fellow MCL students, many of whom had practiced law in various jurisdictions. The diverse composition of the class has fostered my confidence in interacting with people from different cultures.

The Deals Course greatly improved my analytical and negotiation skills and equipped me with a well-balanced approach to structuring corporate transactions. It has also made me a more efficient lawyer through its emphasis on attention to detail and creativity in achieving clients’ objectives.

The MCL met all my expectations and has equipped me with invaluable skills for a successful corporate law career.

What are your post-MCL plans and have they changed due to taking the MCL?

I intend to acquire international work experience in a City law firm, specialising in finance. I have also developed an interest in project finance and infrastructure and look forward to working on transactions in that area.