Entering the final year of my Law degree at the University of Warwick, I have always been drawn to the dynamic and international nature of corporate law, and was particularly interested in Freshfields due to its reputation as a firm that shapes the global legal landscape. The MENA Summer Work Experience Programme provided me with an invaluable opportunity to gain a better understanding of work in a leading international firm, an experience which proved to be both insightful and deeply enriching. 

During my two weeks with Freshfields, I worked with the Global Transactions team. During this time I had the chance to review and revise various types of contracts, including complex project agreements, as well as conducting due diligence and legal research. Each task gave me a deeper understanding of the corporate legal environment and how transactions are structured and executed.

Over the course of the internship, I gained valuable insight into both Freshfields’ domestic legal expertise and its strong international reach. I had the opportunity to support our network offices with multiple tasks and amended documents spanning several jurisdictions and countries. This internship highlighted the firm’s dedication to precision across markets and reinforced my understanding of Freshfields as a truly global law firm.

One aspect that particularly stood out to me was Freshfields’ strong commitment to the learning and development of its lawyers. The MENA team consistently supported my growth, offering access to webinars and online learning modules, while the individual lawyers I worked with were exceptionally helpful and always willing to provide thoughtful guidance on my work. This internship significantly enhanced my awareness of the skills and technical knowledge that legal work demands, and I am confident that the insights I gained will continue to shape my future experiences.

Above all, I genuinely felt like I was part of the team. Members of the Bahrain office generously entrusted me with a variety of tasks, allowing me to contribute meaningfully. These contributions also helped me appreciate the firm’s benchmark of professional excellence and work to uphold it. Seeing how the different departments and offices in Freshfields continuously collaborated to create and deliver work of exceptional quality was particularly noteworthy, and I felt that my time at Freshfields truly reflected this cooperative culture.

I would like to sincerely thank Harnek Shoker and Ghalya Bukhowa for making this internship memorable and enjoyable. Their consistent guidance and support were invaluable, and I remain deeply appreciative of the knowledge and encouragement they have shared with me.