What were you doing before the MCL?
I completed my LLB Law at the London School of Economics (LSE) in 2021, followed by the LLM Commercial Legal Practice (LPC) programme in 2022, before joining the MCL. I completed several internships and schemes in corporate law firms throughout my undergraduate degree and was a Linklaters Making Links Scholar.
What were your impressions of the MCL?
The MCL course was very intellectually stimulating. Every aspect of the curriculum was relevant and topical, which made the learning experience highly engaging. For instance, in the International Merger Control module, we discussed the Microsoft Activision deal before the Competition and Market Authority's (CMA) decision, enabling us to form our own opinions/predictions. Further, in International Financial Law (an LLM course), we analysed systemic risk and the effectiveness of banking regulatory reforms, particularly relevant considering recent bank collapses. It was fascinating to study real-time events and their legal implications. I also liked the practical focus of the course. Modules like Shareholder Litigation provided valuable insights into the practical aspects of working with clients and navigating the claims process. Moreover, we would often have partners and senior associate lawyers deliver topical presentations or, as in the Deals course, discuss transactions (banking and corporate) they worked on after we analysed them ourselves. The combination of practical and theoretical components created a well-rounded educational experience.
At first, I was slightly sceptical about my comparative lack of (full-time) legal work experience; however, I found that the MCL is a very accessible course and a perfect stepping stone before joining a law firm. The combination of different working, educational and cultural backgrounds enriched class discussions, and both professors and classmates were very supportive.
Overall, the MCL course was both intellectually stimulating and practically applicable.
What are your post-MCL plans and have they changed due to taking the MCL?
Despite feeling better prepared, my post-MCL plans remain unchanged. I will start my training contract at Allen & Overy in September, a year later than originally planned, as I opted to defer it in order to complete the MCL.
