Nicolas Hamblenne studied his for his Intellectual Property Law LLM at CCLS and graduated in 2015. He will be joining PwC Legal in Luxembourg as a Senior Associate. Find out about his time at CCLS:
During my last year of my Masters in Belgium, I knew I wanted to specialise in Intellectual Property Law and Data Protection. I asked my University teachers where I should apply for an LLM.
Queen Mary was the top choice for most of my teachers.
QMUL and CCLS have both a very strong reputation for LLM in laws, in particular for Intellectual Property and Data Protection programmes.
Well, there were many... But if I had to choose one, I would pick my first memory: as soon as I arrived at QMUL, we had the opportunity to go for a 2 days and 1 night "trip" at Cumberland lodge (Windsor). There was something special about the international atmosphere. The staff and other students were very friendly and I really enjoyed discovering so many different cultures at CCLS.
During my LLM I also participated in the qLegal experience which is a legal clinic run by students with the help of lawyers. The aim is to help the start-up community with legal advice, presentations and articles.
CCLS is a community and being part of it is really rewarding. I believe that you make friends and business connections for life. Recently, I went to a trip to Bali and I took the time for a coffee with friends of mine who also studied at Queen Mary during the same year. It is something special to meet colleagues across the globe.
I am convinced that studying at QMUL helped me sharpen my legal skills but probably more importantly, it allowed me to understand a completely different legal system (common law vs civil law). The way the courses were taught was also something different from where I studied previously in continental Europe. I ended up with a distinction and it opened both professional doors since Queen Mary's programmes are known all around the world.
The experience will be worth it! You will have the choice to study many different courses allowing you to fulfill your curiosity. The environments (both the professional one and the social one) are very rewarding and the CCLS community is very strong.
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