Cityscape

Margarita-Christina Karkantzou

What were you doing before the MCL?

After completing my legal studies at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece and at the University Paris Descartes (Erasmus Exchange Programme), I joined PotamitisVekris, one of the most reputable commercial law firms in Greece. As a trainee lawyer, I had the privilege of gaining extensive exposure to various aspects of commercial law, ranging from competition/antitrust, corporate, banking & capital markets to project finance and insolvency & restructuring. The multi-jurisdictional nature of the majority of transactions I was involved in, and also the strong practical dimension of my work, truly bolstered my interest in practising corporate law.

What were your impressions of the MCL?

I enrolled in the prestigious MCL programme aiming to further develop my understanding of markets and address challenging corporate cases.

The MCL is a highly practical, professional-oriented masters degree. With a small cohort of students coming from different jurisdictions, it offers a unique multicultural environment that fosters the cross-pollination of ideas. Moreover, the curriculum never ceased to exceed my expectations. Most notably, the Deals Course provided an invaluable insight into the lawyer's role in corporate transactions and risk allocation tools. Through dealing with real commercial documentation in four different contexts, I developed acute analytical skills and became acquainted with common law practices. Moreover, the wide range of elective courses, all corporate-oriented, contributed to my deep understanding of the market context within which companies regulate, and equipped me with the innovative thinking required to meet the challenges of today's rapidly-changing economy. 

Most importantly, the MCL provides a highly interactive academic environment based on continuous feedback. It also offers unlimited networking opportunities through the Practitioners Perspectives Series seminars and presentations by leading international law firms. 

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

The MCL degree has fuelled my passion for corporate transactions and opened new horizons for my future professional development. I will be joining Linklaters LLP in London with the aim of becoming a solicitor. 

Having gathered useful insights into a common law jurisdiction along with a close network of fellow professional contacts, I am now in a position to further develop within my firm and contribute to the global legal environment.