We are Rahma, Ghazi, Teddy and Azra, a group of aspiring lawyers at different stages of our journeys who came into the Freshfields Dubai work experience programme with different backgrounds, but a shared drive to explore life at a world-leading law firm. Over the two weeks, we gained a deeper understanding of how legal work operates in practice and experienced the value of teamwork, guidance from mentors, and the curiosity needed to tackle complex legal challenges.

In our first week, we joined the Dispute Resolution (DR) team, where our work focused on research and analysis in both construction and investment law. We prepared detailed research notes comparing different jurisdictions, explored tribunal procedures, and examined relevant legal frameworks. We also got exposure to live cases, which allowed us to see the practical application of the law in real disputes, and even directly assisted our Freshfields work buddies, enabling a more hands-on approach towards tasks undertaken by the DR team.

Moreover, we had the opportunity to shadow Noha El Gendy in an online client meeting concerning a dispute resolution case. She provided us with detailed background and later shared her final memo incorporating client feedback. This experience greatly enhanced our legal drafting and client communication skills. We’re especially grateful to Noha for her guidance and career advice.

In the second week, we rotated into the Global Transactions (GT) team, where we contributed to client meetings and supported the review and amendment of commercial contract clauses. We also assisted in preparing bid proposal presentations for company use and gained exposure to warranties and indemnities insurance policies, as well as joint venture structures.

The most valuable part of the experience wasn’t just the tasks we completed, but the people who supported us throughout. Our buddies were incredibly helpful, offering guidance, sharing their own experiences, and helping us approach each challenge with more confidence. Associates and partners also took time to answer our questions and provide insights into the profession. These interactions offered meaningful perspective on the realities of legal practice and contributed to a deeper appreciation of the collaborative nature of the field.