CCLS Graduation marks the start of new legal careers and highlights the outstanding achievements of qLegal alumni
This January marked a momentous occasion at the Centre for Commercial Law Studies (CCLS) as it celebrated the graduation of over 1,000 postgraduate law students, including 196 who had engaged in qLegal projects during their studies.
Held on 7th of January 2025, the ceremonies occurred at the People's Palace on Queen Mary’s Mile End campus. Despite the frosty London weather outside, the atmosphere within was warm and festive, filled with the excitement of students and their families, many of whom had travelled from abroad specifically for this special occasion.
CCLS holds its graduations at the start of the year to coincide with the conclusion of a challenging three-semester academic year for its students, who tackle rigorous coursework and often work on extensive dissertations. These graduations offer a fresh start to the new year, providing encouragement and celebrating the well-deserved achievements of our students.
The ceremonies began with an inspiring speech from Colin Bailey, the President of QMUL, who congratulated the graduates on their achievements and warmly welcomed them into the CCLS Alumni family. "Your education has equipped you to make substantial contributions, both in your local communities and on a global scale" he declared, instilling a sense of pride and anticipation among the audience.
As the graduates and their families gathered, the air was thick with joy and the chatter of numerous languages, highlighting the global nature of the CCLS community. The graduates, dressed in their ceremonial gowns, shared hugs and posed for photos, creating lasting memories of their achievements.
Among the graduates was Christianna Pitsouli. Christianna participated in the qLegal Future of Law: Public Legal Education Project, and is now a Junior Associate at a major real estate company in Greece. Christianna's journey back to her home country is a testament to the global impact of QMUL's alumni. She credited her success in securing such a competitive role to the experiences provided by qLegal: "During my interview at my current job—and in every interview I’ve had since September—qLegal was the one thing on my CV that intrigued everyone and made them want to learn more. There were two reasons: firstly, the subject matter, as anything related to AI and GDPR is very catchy; and secondly, the fact that I was part of a pro bono legal clinic while pursuing my studies abroad! Employers found it incredibly challenging and told me it demonstrated that I wasn’t someone who took the easy path during my LLM but rather someone eager to challenge themselves."
Another graduate, Maria Valentina Bezzi (Mavi), participated in the qLegal Externships Programme. Mavi was an Extern with Fibe, a GreenTech start up and has continued to work with them as a legal specialist. She shared her experiences at graduation and with qLegal: "The graduation ceremony was such a lovely occasion to see everyone again, celebrate together, and spend a wonderful day with my family. Regarding my time at qLegal, it was an incredibly valuable experience. I remember consistently ranking my start up host, a ten out of ten during the bi-weekly meetups! I have since joined the team here, following the end of my externship, and I love it. I am so grateful for the experience and the great guidance I got from the qLegal Team; I wouldn't be here without them!"
Doga Fadillioglu, another qLegal alum, participated in the Legal Advisory Clinic and is now a Contract Manager at Google DeepMind. Doga reflected on the ceremony’s atmosphere and her time with qLegal. "The ceremony was nothing short of welcoming and full of joy, and watching my friends proudly walk the stage was the most significant honour of the day" she shared. Doga also credited qLegal for shaping her professional journey: "qLegal instilled discipline in meeting deadlines and helped me develop a cutting-edge understanding of stakeholder expectations. The practical experience I gained has been instrumental in my role at Google DeepMind, where I provide contract support and help negotiate terms with partners. I am deeply thankful to my supervisors at qLegal for their guidance and support!"
We extend our warmest congratulations to all our graduates. As you embark on your careers, carry with you the knowledge and values that will empower you to make significant and positive changes in the world. Remember, you are now part of a global network of qLegal alumni distinguished by their readiness to address the challenges and opportunities of our times.
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