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Dr Noreen Abdullah-Khan
1996, LLM
Mr Ademola Babatunde Adesina
2005, Law
Mrs Chioma Agomo (née Offonry)
1976, Law
1977, LLM (CCLS)
Professor David Justin Bakibinga
1981, Laws
Miss Nnanyelugo Chizoba Ezejiofor
2006, Law
Mr Shahid Raza (Gul)
1995, Law
Dr Katharina Kummer Peiry
1993, PhD Law (International Environmental Law)
Miss Tatiana Perretière
2006, Law/European Law
Mr Rohitha Pradeep Hettiarachchi
2005, Law
Mr James P. Robinson III
1991, Law
Mr Robin Callender Smith
1973, Law
You can view more profiles from the School of Law Alumni website
Alumni Profiles
School of Law
Dr Noreen Abdullah-Khan
1996, LLM
EMPLOYMENT DETAILS
University Lecturer
What do you do and what are your responsibilities and challenges?
Now a senior lecturer at a university, teaching criminology and sociology. Knowledge transfer, study skills - these are a challenge as many students today struggle with essay writing, spelling, etc.
How do you use the skills you acquired from your university days? Has your course of study influenced your career choice or have you changed your career path since you started work?
University fully influenced my decision to become an academic. I teach criminology.
What advice do you have for current students and fellow graduates who wish to pursue similar career path?
Work hard and enjoy your time at university.
What song reminds you of your university days?
Turn Around
What was your favourite food when you were at university?
Turkish rice and kebabs
What university experience will you always remember ?
Being taught by "proper" scholars
Was university everything you expected it to be?
Yes
Have your political opinions changed since you left university?
Yes
What are your interests/hobbies?
Playing tennis, being a parent.
Mr Ademola Babatunde Adesina
2005, Law
Employment details
Manager, Legal & Community Relations
Negris Limited
What are your responsibilities?
Negris Limited is an oil up-stream servicing company. As well as being a Legal and Community Relations Manager for Negris Limited, I am also a Company Secretary to one of its subsidiaries which deals with power generation & development. My role involves handling all the legal aspects of the company including reviewing and drafting.
What advice do you have for current students and fellow graduates who wish to pursue a similar career path?
The legal profession is a multi-disciplined one and therefore offers a lot more opportunities, go for it!
How do you use the skills you acquired from your university days?
My course of study has definitely helped my career - I was able to get my present job based on the Masters degree I obtained from Queen Mary.
Who influenced you to study at this College?
My dad
Who at university most influenced you?
Friends I made
What was your favourite food when you were at university?
Fish and chips
What university experience will you always remember?
Attending various classes in various parts of London: Euston, Mile End and Barbican
Was university everything you expected it to be?
Quite
Have your political opinions changed since you left university?
Well no, have never really been involved in politics neither actively or passively.
What are your interests/hobbies?
I love going out with friends.
Do you meet regularly with friends from university days?
We meet up for drinks whenever I visit London.
Professor Chioma Agomo (née Offonry)
1976, Law
1977, LLM
Employment details
Professor of Law and Dean of Faculty
University of Lagos , Nigeria
What do you do and what are your responsibilities and challenges?
I am presently Dean of the Faculty of Law. I am now in the last year of my second and final term. I oversee four departments, each headed by full professors one of whom is a former Vice Chancellor. My faculty is the number one law faculty in Nigeria . The first challenge is to maintain that position. Beyond that I strive to provide the right environment to promote teaching, research and learning, comparable to institutions outside Nigeria . Initiating and fostering exchanges with reputable institutions abroad is another challenge. The last but not the least is the establishment of vibrant partnership with the alumni of the Faculty. The first step took place during my first term.
How do you use the skills you acquired from your university days?
My university days provided the springboard for my academic career. I went to Queen Mary College to study law with a view to becoming a university lecturer. The skills acquired prepared me for my teaching career.
What advice do you have for current students and fellow graduates who wish to pursue a similar career path?
Have a clear vision and maintain it. An academic career is an exciting one. It is always gratifying to know that you have contributed in the moulding of lives. Dr Fidelis Oditah QC, SAN (Senior Advocate of Nigeria), is one of them.
Who at university most influenced you?
Professor F R Crane and Professor K R Simmonds
What song reminds you of your university days?
Don't Rock the Boat given to me by my sister's boyfriend. He probably thought I wanted to rock the boat for him; they later married so the boat was not rocked! The tune was excellent to dance to, and I did enjoy myself playing it and dancing away.
What was your favourite food when you were at university?
Grilled sausages and lettuce sandwiched between toasted bread with hot chocolate drink.
What university experience will you always remember?
Reading "Offonry sisters rule OK" on the wall of one of the lecture theatres.
Was university everything you expected it to be?
Yes it was
Have your political opinions changed since you left university?
I remain a labour/liberal democrat.
What are your interests/hobbies?
Singing, reading and sharing fellowship with other Christians, I also enjoy interacting with youth as a mentor.
Employment details
Audit Executive
Grant Thornton UK LLP
What are your responsibilities?
I am a qualified Chartered Acountant (ACA). I plan and conduct company audits. I also prepare financial statements.
What advice do you have for current students and fellow graduates who wish to pursue a similar career path?
Apply for graduate schemes as early as possible, do your research and do not underestimate job interviews.
How do you use the skills you acquired from your university days?
Course of study allowed me to get onto a graduate scheme.
What was your favourite food when you were at university?
Pizza
What university experience will you always remember?
Graduation day.
Was university everything you expected it to be?
Had a good time at university.
What are your interests/hobbies?
I am interested in staying fit and healthy, and travelling.
What do you do when you meet up with your friends from university?
We go out to a restaurant.
Professor David Justin Bakibinga
1981, Laws
Employment details
Professor of Commercial Law
Deputy Vice Chancellor
Makerere University
What are your responsibilities?
I assist the Vice Chancellor and oversee the financial & administrative activities of the University.
What advice do you have for current students and fellow graduates who wish to pursue a similar career path?
With graduate qualifications, academic and professional work is much more rewarding and appreciated than administrative work.
How do you use the skills you acquired from your university days?
As a company law specialist, I have been able to understand and deal with legal and corporate issues affecting the teaching, research and administration of the University.
Who influenced you to study at this College?
Professor AJ Boyle
What song reminds you of your university days?
Knowing You by ABBA
What was your favourite food when you were at university?
Fish and chips
What university experience will you always remember?
Upgrading from MPhil to PhD registration after one year
Was university everything you expected it to be?
More than expected
Have your political opinions changed since you left university?
Modified but not changed fundamentally.
What are your interests/hobbies?
Reading, swimming and gardening
Who have you stayed in touch with?
The Alumni Office
Your news
In 2006 the second editions of my books; Equity and Trusts in Uganda and Revenue Law in Uganda as well as the administrative biography of my grandfather, Daudi Kintu Mutekanga, were publihed. 2007 saw the publication of the second edition of my book, Partnership Law in Uganda and my election as the Vice President of the Old Budonian Club, the Alumni Association of Uganda's leading secondary education school, King's College Budo.
Employment details
Founding Member, Senior Partner
Bezen & Partners
What are your responsibilities?
I am a partner in a law firm in Istanbul, Turkey.
What advice do you have for current students and fellow graduates who wish to pursue a similar career path?
I would advise current students to enjoy their time at Queen Mary to the fullest and broaden their international network of friends and colleagues by keeping in touch with fellow alumni.
How do you use the skills you acquired from your university days?
My LLM thesis was published in journals, such as Arbitration and Mealeys in full length. This helped me immensely with progressing my career.
Your news
I have only recently relocated to Istanbul, Turkey. I am a co-founder of Bezen & Partners. We offer advice to domestic and international clients on all aspects of corporate, finance, litigation and arbitration law. I wish to become a point of contact for law alumni who require counsel in Turkey and would be happy to hear from law alumni in other jurisdictions. My firm's website details are: www.bezenpartners.com
Employment details
Partner
Clifford Chance LLP
What do you do and what are your responsibilities and challenges?
I specialise in litigation and dispute resolution.
What advice do you have for current students and fellow graduates who wish to pursue a similar career path?
Become an investment banker and retire on your bonus!
Who at university most influenced you?
Dr Michael Bryan
What song reminds you of your university days?
We are the champions by Queen
What was your favourite food when you were at university?
Chewing gum
Was university everything you expected it to be?
It was different
What are your interests/hobbies?
Rugby, cricket, music etc.
Do you meet regularly with friends from university days?
Yes
Employment details
Solicitor
McGrigors LLP
What do you do and what are your responsibilities and challenges?
I am a solicitor. My job involves dealing with corporate disputes through court proceedings and negotiations.
How do you use the skills you acquired from your university days? Has your course of study influenced your career choice or have you changed your career path since you started work?
University taught me to balance competing priorities, meet deadlines and concentrate on complex problems for long periods. These skills are vital for a solicitor. Studying Law was the perfect subject for my current job. However, before pursuing law, following a management training scheme, I worked at Network Rail in management positions. I also worked as an IT securities specialist.
What advice do you have for current students and fellow graduates who wish to pursue a similar career path?
Do summer placements at law firms in your second year, do not be afraid to do something else or work as a paralegal before applying for a training contract, do plenty of extracurricular activities.
What influenced you to study at this College?
Its location, reputation and facilities.
Who at university most influenced you?
Alistair Hudson
What was your favourite food when you were at university?
Fish and chips from Ocean fish bar.
What university experiences will you always remember?
Fun at e1 nightclub and playing pool in the bar.
Did you meet your partner at university?
Yes, we married seven years later.
Was university everything you expected it to be?
Yes
Have your political opinions changed since you left university?
I have always been liberal minded. However, my position on drugs and environmental issues has hardened.
What are your interests/hobbies?
My interests are the same! I like reading, playing pool, watching movies and eating out.
Do you meet regularly with friends from university days?
I meet two or three of my close friends from university, plus my wife who I see everyday.
Employment details
Purchasing Planner
Qenos Pty Ltd
What do you do and what are your responsibilities and challenges?
Purchasing Officer for a large plastics manufacturer recently acquired by Chem China. I am responsible for spending the company's money and getting the best value for the lowest total cost.
How do you use the skills you acquired from your university days?
Interpreting contracts. I changed my career when I returned to Australia.
Who influenced you to study at this College?
School Careers Adviser
Who at university most influenced you?
Tony Grabiner - Contract Tutor
What song reminds you of your university days?
La Vie en Rose
What was your favourite food when you were at university?
Cheap!
What university experience will you always remember?
Drinking 6 pints of Guinness at the Union and then having to run for the last tube train.
Was university everything you expected it to be?
More
Have your political opinions changed since you left university?
I've become more socialist as I get older.
What are your interests/hobbies?
Dancing (Ballroom, Latin, Rock & Roll, Ceroc) and remedial massage.
Your news
My wife Frances has just qualified as a Chartered Accountant - who says there's no accounting for women?!
Miss Nnanyelugo Chizoba Ezejiofor
2006, Law
Why did you choose this course and what are your future plans?
Queen Mary, University of London belongs to the league of super brands, and coming to do my postgraduate programme enabled me to broaden my horizon as well as acquire a valuable intellectual mix of ideas from people from different legal backgrounds and diverse walks of life. Studying at Queen Mary improved my self-confidence and developed a positive attitude towards work ethics and challenges.
Please provide a brief description of your current role:
Commercial, corporate litigation, international commercial arbitration, international investment treaty arbitration.
What advice do you give to prospective students?
Life is not a roller coaster. Learn to adopt a positive attitude towards it. Be resourceful and resilient and make the best out of wherever you find yourself.
Employment details
Director
Forth de Avellar Limited
What are your responsibilities?
I am an Interim Manager (a mix of glorified temp, management consultant and company director). I am hired by the day as Interim Finance Director, Controller or Commercial Director to solve problems, bring about change, package businesses for sale, buy and sell companies and assets, etc. I use both my legal and financial training in my work, for example doing legal and financial due diligence or managing mergers and acquisitions’ transactions. Recent assignments have included an AIM listing and interim accounts work for a listed pharmaceutical company.
What advice do you have for current students and fellow graduates who wish to pursue a similar career path?
Never say never! Keep up to date and stay alert to opportunities. They can come from unexpected directions. I have stuck to a personal motto of, "integrity, courage & enthusiasm”, since school days and not everybody does this. Finally, remember that work should be fun...if it isn't then look for something else.
How do you use the skills you acquired from your university days? Has your degree course influenced you career choice?
After my Law degree from Queen Mary, I was subsequently called to the Bar. I then trained as a Chartered Accountant with KPMG and after qualifying, I worked at senior levels in BP, BAT and other overseas multinational companies. I did not expect to become a Chartered Accountant when I started studying Law at QMC, but my legal studies, especially in Commercial Law have been very helpful in my subsequent career.
Who influenced you to study at this College?
UCCA Clearing
Who at university most influenced you?
Tony Grabiner, Ian Yeats and Professor Goode
What song reminds you of your university days?
Too many to mention
What was your favourite food when you were at university?
French
What university experience will you always remember?
Debates in the Great Hall and Mooting.
Was university everything you expected it to be?
Yes, I enjoyed it immensely.
Have your political opinions changed since you left university?
Mellowed slightly
What are you interests/hobbies?
Sailing, travel, Latin America (lived & worked there)
Do you meet regularly with friends from university days?
No, but had a very pleasant dinner with some of my contemporaries from Queen Mary at the end of 2007 which was fun.
Your news
Back in London from posts in Latin America and Europe.
Postgraduate Law Student 2006-2007
London School of Economics
Who influenced you to study at this College?
Family
Who at university most influenced you?
William Wilson
What song reminds you of your university days?
Roadhouse Blues
What was your favourite food when you were at university?
Anything
What university experience will you always remember?
Road trips – house parties
Was university everything you expected it to be?
Much more.
Mr Shahid Raza (Gul)
1995, Law
Employment details
Partner
Orr, Dignam & Co
What are your responsibilities?
I am a partner at one of Pakistan's leading law firms.
What advice do you have for current students and fellow graduates who wish to pursue a similar career path?
As I practice in Pakistan my advice is specific to Pakistani students of law. I would say "go for it". Pakistan's economy should continue to do well in future and good lawyers are always required.
How do you use the skills you acquired from your university days?
My course of study clearly influenced my career choice. The fact that I did not study company or commercial laws at graduate level did not turn out to be a handicap, shows that I acquired the necessary basic skills at Queen Mary that gave me a solid foundation for my corporate law career.
Who influenced you to study at this College?
No one in particular.
Who at university most influenced you?
Ms Geraldine Van Bueren, Director of the Human Rights Centre - I studied two of her subjects (Human Rights and Civil Liberties).
What song reminds you of your university days?
Stars by Simply Red
What university experience will you always remember?
First day
What are your interests/hobbies?
Sports
Mr Rohitha Pradeep Hettiarachchi
2005, Law
Employment details
District Judge
Judicial Service Commission, Sri Lanka
What are your responsibilities and challenges?
At present I work as a District Judge in the southern part of Sri Lanka. I hear all types of civil disputes: land, matrimornial, money, contracts etc. My challenges are to improve the quality of the work and increase the rate of disposal of cases.
What advice do you have for current students?
Study hard and apply your knowledge and the training gained from Queen Mary to your work.
What was your favourite food when you were at university?
Rice
What university experience will you always remember?
Interactions with my class mates
Was university everything you expected it to be?
Not everything
What are your interests/hobbies?
Reading, researching on various subjects and playing cricket
Do you meet regularly with friends from university days?
No, but I communicate with them via email
Employment details
Legal Counsel
DHL
What are your responsibilities?
I work as an in-house counsel specialising in IT contracts, Data Protection Law and eCommerce. My daily challenge is delivering commercially practical solutions for tomorrow's challenges, yesterday! If you have ever worked in logistics this will make perfect sense.
What advice do you have for current students and fellow graduates who wish to pursue a similar career path?
Get some practical experience via the courts or a solicitor's office before and during your law studies. This will help you grasp why all the lectures and subjects will be useful later on in your career. Take every opportunity to experience different subjects and make the very most of all the spare time you have at College. Time is a precious commodity once work and domestic bliss grab your full attention.
How do you use the skills you acquired from your university days?
The basic core legal topics (despite all the best efforts of lots of tutors) made no sense to me at the time but Professor Yelland and others did teach me problem solving skills. I am glad I stuck with law but have been tempted by journalism and writing.
Who influenced you to study at this College?
It had the best vibe of all the colleges I visited.
Who at university most influenced you?
Professor Yelland
What song reminds you of your university days?
Various hip hop and soul classics which I still can't dance to!
What was your favourite food when you were at university?
Kebabs, curry and pizza.
What university experience will you always remember?
Happy afternoons playing football for QMC with various team mates.
Did you meet your partner at university?
No. I could never run as fast as the QMC Netball Team.
Was university everything you expected it to be?
Lots of good times on the social/sports side of things. Rather more application required from me on the learning side though and this caught up with me later.
Have your political opinions changed since you left university?
Still left leaning but less angry.
What are your interests/hobbies?
Football, cricket, motorsport, cinema, cult TV, travel, filling every room of my (sorry - our) house with CD’s.
Your news
Still grappling with the law, an expanding waistline and settling down into domestic bliss here in Roundabout City.
Dr Katharina Kummer Peiry
1993, PhD Law (International Environmental Law)
Employment details
Executive Secretary
Secretariat of the Basel Convention - United Nations Environment Programme
What are your responsibilities?
Executive Secretary of the Basel Convention and thus a member of the Senior Management Team of the United Nations Environment Programme. My responsibilities include leading the 20 Staff of the Secretariat in servicing the Conference of the Parties to the Convention and implementing projects to assist Parties in implementing the Convention at the national and regional levels. My functions also include developing strategies and visions for the future development of the Convention, for consideration of the Parties.
What advice do you have for current students and fellow graduates who wish to pursue a similar career path?
Keep moving "sideways and upwards" rather than staying in the same job for decades, but keep focused on your core issue of interest! I have worked in the same field for nearly 20 years, but in a very wide range of positions. I believe it is this that helped me attain a top position in the relevant field.
How do you use the skills you acquired from your university days?
My PhD (completed in 1993) analysed the role of the Basel Convention on hazardous wastes. It subsequently became the academic reference work on this issue (published by OUP, 1995). Today I hold the senior position in the UN in the relevant field, and am charged with putting into action the conclusions reached in my PhD - which thus has a very direct relevance for my current position! My PhD supervisor recently remarked that I am the only one of his students so far to have "written herself into a job".
Who influenced you to study at this College?
Mr Alan Boyle (PhD Supervisor)
What university experience will you always remember?
My PhD examination (viva), and the graduation ceremony.
Have your political opinions changed since you left university?
Yes - I grew somewhat more conservative as I got older!
What are your interests/hobbies?
Choir singing, sailing, skiing and mountaineering.
Employment details
Solicitor/Partner
Hains & Lewis
What do you do?
I practise as a solicitor. Jointly responsible for running the practice. My challenge is to face the changes to Legal Aid and the Legal Services Bill.
How do you use the skills you acquired from your university days?
Applying academic law to every day situations.
Who at university most influenced you?
Graham Zellick
What song reminds you of your university days?
Bohemian Rhapsody
What was your favourite food when you were at university?
Sweet & sour pork & boiled rice from the takeaway in South Woodford
What university experience will you always remember?
Too numerous to pick out one
Have your political opinions changed since you left university?
Not significantly
What are your interests/hobbies?
Sailing, rugby, films
Chizoba Obi
2007 Law
Why did you choose this course and what are your future plans?
I had a first degree in law and decided to go further by specialising in finance and investment banking, which I hope will expand my job opportunities in Nigeria.
Did you have any difficulties settling into Queen Mary and finding your way in London?
Once I had my accommodation sorted out, things got better.
Who most influenced you at Queen Mary?
Dr George Walker of the Centre of Commercial Law Studies.
Did you have a part-time job while a student and how did that benefit you?
I worked within the International Office of Queen Mary. My role enabled me to learn how UK universities carry out administrative duties including data collation and management. I also learnt how to juggle work and studies.
What advice would you give about work-study balance?
Learn to fix work round studies and not vice versa. Your primary objective should be to study. No other factor should take its place.
What advice do you give to prospective students?
Bring your laptop, Nigerian music, comedy CD’s and family photos
What do you think is the best thing about London?
Good regular transport system.
Employment details
Lawyer (Rechtsanwalt)
Schick Struss Sterzel - Rechtsanwaelte
What are your responsibilities?
I recently finished my lawyer's qualification and became a member of the Berlin Law Society. At our law office we offer legal services to companies in and around Berlin, mainly in the fields of Labour Law, Tax Law, Commercial and Company Law.
What advice do you have for current students and fellow graduates who wish to pursue a similar career path?
Be clear about your dream profession and work hard to achieve it.
How do you use the skills you acquired from your university days?
Being fluent in English is useful for working on a global scale and in my profession basic knowledge of a common law system provides intresting perspectives. In 2007 I wrote an article about English insolvency law and whether it can be applied to Limited companies operating in Germany. It was useful to have gained experience in dealing with English Legal Texts at Queen Mary.
Who influenced you to study at this College?
Erasmus programme
Who at university most influenced you?
Professor Kenneth Armstrong and Professor Jonathan Griffiths
What song reminds you of your university days?
Coldplay's 1st album
What was your favourite food when you were at university?
All Indian food
What university experience will you always remember?
The plays at the Queen Mary Cochrane's and the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Was university everything you expected it to be?
Yes, indeed!
What are your interests/hobbies?
Swimming, Tango and Salsa dancing, literature and photography
Do you meet regularly with friends from university days?
Yes
Miss Tatiana Perretière
2006, Law/European Law
Employment details
Junior Lawyer/LobbyistTotal
How do you use the skills you acquired from your university days?
Working language and documents are in English, dealing with European Law and Politics everyday and having an international approach to resolving difficult situations.
Who influenced you to study at this College?
Common Law teacher while in Paris
What was your favourite food when you were at university? Pasta
What university experience will you always remember? Spending two months with four people under 40°C revising European Competition Law.
What are your interests/hobbies?
Reading, music, theatre, cinema, travelling, drawing, jogging, horse-riding.
What do you do when you meet with friends from university days?
Travel together, visit to the pub for a drink.
Who have you stayed in touch with?
Friends from all over the world. We try to visit each other every 2 years. We also meet in London.
Mr James P. Robinson III
1991, Law
Employment details
Attorney
Self Employed
What do you do and what are your responsibilities and challenges?
I run my own law firm, specialising in business and international law.
How do you use the skills you acquired from your university days?
I use the skills every day, but, frankly, the fond memories are far more important to me.
What advice do you have for current students and fellow graduates who wish to pursue a similar career path?
Have fun while you can. The rest will take care of itself in time.
Who influenced you to study at this College?
I studied at QMW via a cooperative program with the University of Texas, School of Law. At that time, it was the only program in the USA which allowed a USA law student to study at a foreign institution and credit the courses toward a USA law degree.
Was university everything you expected it to be?
Yes definitely.
Mr Robin Callender Smith
1973, Law
Employment details
Judge
What are your responsibilities?
I have four part-time judicial positions which take up most of my weekly availablity: Immigration Judge; Deputy District Judge (Crime); Deputy Chairman, Information Tribunal (dealing with appeals under the Freedom of Information Act 2000); President, Mental Health Review Tribunal. I am a member of the FSA's Regulatory Decisions Committee. I am a newspaper lawyer for Express Newspapers (Sunday Express, Daily Express and Daily Star). I am also a trustee of London Youth, London's largest youth charity.
What advice do you have for current students and fellow graduates who wish to pursue a similar career path?
I worked as a journalist for 5 years before becoming an undergraduate. You do not need to go to university straight from school.
Who influenced you to study at this College?
No one else would take me!
What was your favourite food when you were at university?
Curry
What university experience will you always remember?
Mooting (terribly)
Was university everything you expected it to be?
Yes
What are your interests/hobbies?
Scuba diving, cycling and trekking.