Hi, my name is Karim Tarazi, and I am approaching my final year at the University of Nottingham as a BA Law with Spanish Law student. Eager to learn about the commercial aspects of the legal world, my time at Freshfields during their MENA work experience programme in Dubai has equipped me with invaluable knowledge I am truly grateful for, confidently helping shape my future career aspirations.

Stepping into a global leading law firm at first can be daunting, though I was quickly greeted by the firm’s warm colleagues and staff who had made me feel at ease and made my first week super enjoyable. I quickly learned that Freshfields places a high importance on relationships and communication, something I came to understand as being pivotal in their position as a top law firm globally. This was through insightful experiences where the programme organised various meetings with the Business Support and Marketing Business Development team, as well as HR, where I was exposed to the intricate functioning of a multinational law-firm. I was taught how to conduct research into new openings across various industries, and I learned how every role plays an important part to the consistent and effective performance of the firm. I also had the chance to meet and learn from esteemed lawyers in the firm who generously offered me a comprehensive immersion into their legal work and experiences in working at Freshfields. They provided me with illuminating knowledge and advice in all respects, in the commercial legal-field and career-wise, that I feel could not have been acquired elsewhere.

Aside from these valuable mentorship opportunities, my two weeks at Freshfields involved me sitting with the Disputes Resolution and the Global Transactions team, where I was trusted with varied and fulfilling tasks. In DR, I was exposed to a scenario that would require legal research into a nuanced and unique area of contract law, where I learned of key principles and intriguing situations that challenged a critical outlook to support our objectives. With GT, I became acquainted to the forward-thinking approach of Freshfields through training sessions which highlighted emerging markets and areas of growth, inviting discussion and strategy on how to seize these commercial possibilities. This, and participating in the complex work that the team undertakes, has equipped me with immeasurable knowledge and has allowed to me broaden my understanding of what it means to be a commercial lawyer and shape my career interests.  

Hearing everyone’s story, and experiencing the authenticity of each person, has made this experience even more memorable. Coming in, I was not sure of what to expect, though I am pleased to say my time with Freshfields, albeit brief, has undoubtedly given me a new perspective and skill set that I will take forward into my final year of university and journey of my future career.