We are Atishya, Anoushcka, Yasmine, Ricky and Nouf, law students from the University of Surrey, King’s College London, Paris Panthéon-Assas, Queen Mary University of London, and Paris Sorbonne Abu Dhabi. We recently completed a two-week MENA Work Experience Scheme at Freshfields, where we had the opportunity to explore both disputes and transactional work.

During the first week, we were introduced to the disputes team and worked under the mentorship of experienced trainees and associates. One of our main tasks involved researching live workstreams on sports arbitration cases. This required us to work efficiently as a team, meet deadlines, and apply legal reasoning to real-world facts.

Alongside this, we also supported the business development team. These tasks taught us the importance of marketing the firm, understanding client relationships, and prioritizing business needs. We gained insight into how legal expertise supports strategic growth and how firms pitch their services to clients.

In the second week, we joined the transactions team and worked on due diligence matters. This helped us improve our attention to detail and time management. We reviewed and proofread transaction documents, which gave us a better understanding of how specific clauses protect client interests. We also prepared a presentation on M&A deals and conducted research on regulatory issues across the UAE, public international law, and infrastructure development. One of the most meaningful parts of the internship was researching renewable energy projects in developing countries. This showed us how legal work can have a real impact on communities and how different nations are building their futures through innovative projects. Throughout the internship, we attended training sessions on corporate law, artificial intelligence, and human resources, which broadened our understanding of the legal profession.

The trainees and associates were incredibly welcoming and created an open environment where we felt comfortable asking questions and learning from their experiences. We also made great friends among the other interns, which made the experience enjoyable and memorable. This internship gave us a valuable glimpse into the legal world and helped us grow both professionally and personally. We are grateful to Freshfields for the opportunity and for making us feel part of the team.