João Paulo Tannous, Brazil

LLM in Comparative and International Dispute Resolution 2008-9

João Paulo Tannous, Attorney, Litigation and Dispute Resolution- Souza, Cescon, Barrieu & Flesch Advogados, Brazil

"After facing the first arbitration disputes in my career and as arbitration is a recent subject in Brazil, I decided that it would be interesting to study the subject abroad, in a country where this sort of dispute resolution is traditional. Having those premises in mind, and after a brief research of the best Law Schools in Europe, applying for a place at Queen Mary was the reasonable thing to do.

When I arrived at the Queen Mary Campus I knew I had made the right choice. And, after the classes started, I was absolutely sure about it. Even having to adapt to a common law environment, I was amazed by the knowledge of the professors and their ability in transmitting it during a class. In addition, due to their availability and kindness, the professors also became good friends of mine outside College life. It is needless to say how important this is for someone who is living abroad and far away from his family and old friends. At the end of the course, I was quite surprised how fast everything happened - and how much I had learned in a short period - and a bit sad for realizing that my experience in UK was finishing.

Back in Brazil, I noticed how important the decision of doing the LLM at Queen Mary was. The knowledge I obtained has been very helpful and it is well valued by my colleagues at the law firm and by my clients. Today, grateful for the whole support I got from the Queen Mary staff, I definitely recommend the College and encourage my friends to apply for a place there too."