We’re Aditi, Rayan, and Mazen three law students who came into the Freshfields work experience programme with a shared curiosity about what life in a top-tier law firm really looks like. Coming from different academic backgrounds, we each hoped this experience would help us see whether corporate law was the right path. It did that and so much more.

From day one at Freshfields’ Dubai office, we were met with warmth and support from the entire team. In our first week, we joined the Dispute Resolution practice, where we shadowed legal interns and assisted with case summaries and document reviews. During our time with the practice, we assisted with EPC contracts, contractual negotiations and obligations. This hands-on experience gave us valuable insight into how complex disputes are handled, especially in the Middle East. Though we started with limited knowledge of dispute resolution, we gained practical exposure and a deeper appreciation for the field.

In the second half, we moved into working with the Global Transactions team. Shadowing a trainee gave us a real window into the deal-making side of the firm. Our tasks included working on creating a comparative breakdown of Contractual and Equity Joint Ventures, challenging our research skills and giving us practical insight into how clients are advised on structuring partnerships. Even more valuable were the conversations – learning about both trainee and associate journeys, hearing about challenges and milestones, and realising there’s no one-size-fits-all route into this profession.

Each of us is walking away from this experience with much more than we expected, not just knowledge, but perspective, confidence, and clarity. The warmth and support from every single person we met made all the difference. We’re really grateful to the Freshfields team for taking the time to mentor, involve, and inspire us.