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  • Embrace change, seek new opportunities: Prof. Ian Walden & Karen Watton, qLegal at QMUL

    The qLegal initiative first caught my eye after two FPA’s with current LL.M. candidates at the Queen Mary University of London. Both of them spoke highly about qLegal and how it has helped them develop new skills; how qLegal ended up becoming one of the most valuable aspects of their respective LLM experiences. 

    To get a better understanding of just what qLegal is and how it works, I got into an email interview with Professor Ian Walden, who heads the Centre for Commercial Law Studies at QMUL (within which eLegal is situated) and Karen Watton, qLegal’s Director.

    I asked them about how qLegal came about, what are the kind of opportunities that it offers, and their own predictions on recruitment and employability in the post-Covid world. This is what they had to say.

    Let’s get the most obvious question out of the way – how has QMUL Law dealt with the Covid pandemic, and any words of advice for the incoming batch of LLM candidates? 

    Professor Ian Walden, qLegal at Queen Mary University of London
    Professor Ian Walden

    Prof. Ian Walden: The Covid pandemic has hit all of us in ways we could not have anticipated but it’s been remarkable how well staff and students at Queen Mary have adjusted in the circumstances.

    Our academics continue to deliver classes in an interactive format, albeit online, and assessments have been modified to take into account the fact that our students are now all over the world.

    What we haven’t done is compromise academic standards as that wouldn’t serve anyone well.

    The extra-curricular activities of the qLegal clinic are also continuing. Students now interview clients remotely via video conference. We have confidentiality protocols in place so we keep to professional standards. In our externship programme, several students are working remotely to help develop a pro bono chatbot to provide legal advice and support to SMEs.  All of this is great practice for work in an international legal environment.

    “My advice for new LLM students would be the same as for current students – embrace change and seek new opportunities.”

    My advice for new LLM students would be the same as for current students – embrace change and seek new opportunities. The world of work is changing in any event and being adaptable, being comfortable with technology, and gaining world class expertise and experience can set you apart with employers.

    Am quite interested in how qLegal was set up  – how did it come about, and how did it (qLegal) find a space in the Centre for Commercial Law Studies at QMUL?

    Prof. Walden: qLegal started 6 years ago, initially as an offshoot of Queen Mary’s Legal Advice Centre (LAC) which is based at the Mile End campus. The LAC provides free legal advice to individual clients on areas of law linked to social welfare, eg, housing and immigration, and is open to undergraduate law students.

    At the Centre for Commercial Law Studies (CCLS), where most of Queen Mary’s postgraduate law students are based, we saw an opportunity to take advantage of our commercial focus and central London location – near to the tech hubs of King’s Cross and Tech City – to offer pro bono support to entrepreneurs and start-ups. Our LLM students currently advise on corporate, commercial, IP and data protection matters, supported by external lawyers from leading international firms.

    “Our LLM students currently advise on corporate, commercial, IP and data protection matters, supported by external lawyers from leading international firms.”

    Why did you decide to focus on the postgraduate cohort alone? Are you planning on expanding qLegal to include undergraduate students as well? 

    Prof. Walden: qLegal is currently exclusively for postgraduate law students. We are considering ways in which we can work more closely with our sister clinic, the LAC, as students benefit from having a wider perspective.

    Last year, we were delighted that the LAC and qLegal together won the coveted ‘Best Contribution by a Law School’ category in the LawWorks & Attorney General’s Student Pro Bono Awards, as we recognise the benefits of having a strong clinical offering across both postgraduate and undergraduate cohorts.

    Could you tell me a bit about the qLegal application process? What are the kind of applicants that you are looking for? 

    Karen Watton, Queen Mary University of London
    Karen Watton

    Karen Watton: We promote qLegal via induction talks when students first join CCLS, although many students seem to have heard of us before then! Students complete a written application form in which they have to answer 4 questions in 150 words each and undertake a short editing task.

    It’s a scaled down version of the type of applications large law firms use so it’s good practice for students.

    “The ideal applicant has a high level of motivation, excellent written communication skills, works well within a team, and has some commercial awareness”

    The ideal applicant has a high level of motivation, excellent written communication skills, works well within a team, and has some commercial awareness. It doesn’t matter which particular academic specialism the applicant is from, nor whether they have significant prior work experience.

    This year’s qLegal students were an equal split of those who had already qualified as a lawyers in their home countries and those who came straight from their bachelor’s degree.

    As per last year’s report, the Law Clinic and eHealth Club was the most popular option – any thoughts on why this was the case? Could you share some real world examples of the work that this clinic does? 

    Karen Watton: Students can apply for a range of programmes and the number of places varies year to year. The Law Clinic is always popular as it involves students interviewing real clients, researching and then drafting a tailored advice letter, under the supervision of external practitioners. The clients often seek advice on complex matters, for example, on how best to structure their business and how to ensure they are compliant with data protection regulations.

    I think students are drawn to this programme as it mirrors traditional legal practice and enables them to develop professional skills working alongside leading lawyers.

    We also have programmes with more of an innovation and commercial skills focus, both of which are particularly valued by large international firms and can make students stand out from their competitors.

    The Externship programme allows students to spend time in tech start-ups, learning the practical realities of commercial life and putting the law in context; in the Design the Law programme, students use Design Thinking methodology to solve problems and make law more accessible – this year they acted as consultants to a lawtech business, redesigning its Terms & Conditions; and in the StreetLAB and Future Clients programmes, students hone their presentation, pitching and networking skills, great for developing the emotional intelligence required in a people-oriented sector such as law.

    “Students hone their presentation, pitching and networking skills, great for developing the emotional intelligence required in a people-oriented sector such as law.”

    In your experience, what have been some of the biggest benefits that LLM candidates have garnered through their time at qLegal? 

    Karen Watton: An obvious direct benefit is a job offer! One of our recent externship students was offered a permanent role by the business she externed with and they sponsored her UK work visa.

    While we can’t say this is the outcome for most qLegal students, they do gain recognition of the qLegal programme on their academic record, practical experience that looks impressive on their CV (evidence they can manage both study and extra-curricular activities), contacts within the UK/international legal market, enhanced professional and business skills, better commercial awareness including areas of innovation in lawtech and legal practice, an insight into potential career paths, a significant boost in confidence, and new friends from all over the world.

    These are not just our observations, but what we consistently hear from our alumni who cite qLegal as a key element that has helped them on their career paths.

    Going forward, how do you think qLegal can expand? Are there any upcoming projects that you are particularly excited about? 

    Karen Watton: This year, we’ve had more than 100 students across qLegal’s programmes – a significant increase on last year. As we’ve consistently had more applicants than places available, we are keen to expand further.

    We’re delighted to have new partnering organisations who have joined us this year, including international firms CMS, Baker McKenzie and Willkie, Farr & Gallagher, as well as in-house teams from Bloomberg and Bank of America. These supplement the work of our longstanding partners who include Ropes & Gray, Morrison Foerster, Morgan Lewis and Kilburn & Strode.

    “In real life, clients need advice that spans multiple areas and this has been recognised in large firms who expect their lawyers to be able to work side by side with experts from other disciplines.”

    We’re excited about a new project that will see qLegal students working in inter-disciplinary teams, for example, with students of business, economics and finance, and technology. In real life, clients need advice that spans multiple areas and this has been recognised in large firms who expect their lawyers to be able to work side by side with experts from other disciplines.

    This is not always straightforward as different fields have their own expert language and thought processes. By giving qLegal students a chance to work in this way, they will have a head start over their peers.

    As a former lawyer, what is your reading of the employment market in the UK for international LLM candidates? More specifically, do you foresee the 2-year post study visa as being a popular option for LLM graduates? 

    Karen Watton: The 2-year post study visa is excellent news and may be a game changer in terms of the number of international students able to work in the UK. Under the 4-month post study visa, international LLM students often struggled to get to grips with the application cycle and processes in the UK before their visa ran out.

    “Under the 4-month post study visa, international LLM students often struggled to get to grips with the application cycle and processes in the UK before their visa ran out.”

    The market is highly competitive and it’s not unusual for applicants (whether UK or international) to make several rounds of applications before they have any success. The post study visa extension and new routes to qualifying as a UK lawyer should help iron out some of these issues.

    Law firms don’t want to miss good talent so this will give international students longer to learn how best to impress them!

    Lastly, and I am sure you get asked this all the time, how can foreign trained lawyers improve their chances of employment during their time as LLM candidates at QMUL? 

    Karen Watton: Picking up on my last answer, each jurisdiction has subtle nuances in how they train lawyers and what they are looking for in applicants. The key to success is taking the time and effort to understand the local market which may be different to what lawyers are used to at home, even when dealing with global firms.

    For example, great academic results are a requirement but aren’t enough to set a student apart as there are plenty of other applicants with similarly great marks.

    “The best way to impress is to gain practical experience in the UK, even if that’s only voluntary, and to engage with local practitioners. “

    Employers want to see clear evidence of business skills. The best way to impress is to gain practical experience in the UK, even if that’s only voluntary, and to engage with local practitioners.

    This is one of the key reasons that qLegal exists – to act as a stepping stone for Queen Mary’s postgraduate law students as they develop their international careers.

    (If you would like us to feature any such initiative at your law school, please do reach out to us at contact@amicuspartners.co.in)

  • MPP Mondays (Part II): How to Apply to a Master’s in Public Policy program

    This 3-part blog offers a quick insight into what a postgraduate public policy degree entails, a peek into the application process and finally, career options post this master’s. Read the first part here. 

    So, you’ve decided to take the leap and apply to graduate school and make a career in public policy. How do you go about it? While each school and specific program has its own application process, this post will give you an overview and highlight the most common requirements of the application.

    Universities almost always require a ‘Statement of Purpose’ or a motivation statement. This is aimed at understanding a candidate’s context, background, motivation to apply and long-term career aspirations. The other piece of writing involved may be shorter essays demonstrating leadership, solutions to policy challenges, descriptions of goals and so on. These help Admissions Committees (AdComs) gauge writing skills as well as depth of understanding of certain issues and clarity of ambition.

    Tip: The clearer you are about why you want to study policy and what you plan to do after, the better your chances of an admit. AdComs want to see purpose.

    Resumes or CVs are also part of the application – its essential to ensure these are well formatted and typo-free.

    Two letters of recommendation are needed: usually one academic and one professional, or two professional recommendation letters depending on your years of work experience. These are meant to affirm your skills and provide the AdCom with a better look at who you are from the perspective of your supervisors and people that know you well. A personal and thoughtful letter is always better than one that’s glowing, yet impersonal or obviously written by the candidate themselves.

    Most U.S. schools require GRE scores. The GRE tests verbal, quantitative and analytical skills and provides a basic, objective method of evaluating applicants. This exam needs to be booked in advance and requires some preparation. Depending on your ability, preparation time could range from weeks to months. There are coaching classes in the market that help, but many applicants also comfortable studying on their own.

    The other written test is to prove a basic level of English and the most common ones are TOEFL or the IELTS. A lot of schools exempt applicants from English-speaking countries or whose undergraduate studies have been conducted entirely in English. Waivers need to be procured in advance for these.

    Some schools make offers directly and some invite candidates for interviews. These can be in person or via a video call.

    It is always a good idea to start early. Writing strong essays takes time and several rounds of editing. Referees also take time to respond and its polite to give them enough of a heads-up. Preparation for the GRE can also take anywhere between a few weeks to a few months so it is best to have a clear timeline to work with.

    A lot of candidates that want to pursue careers in public policy also need aid or scholarship assistance. This can be a bit daunting as there’s a wide area to be covered just in the search of scholarships. Again, it is helpful to speak to friends or peers or others who have done this before, or consult with experts. It is especially important to apply for aid early given the limited amount of funding.

    To sum it up: start thinking through the process early, book your GRE/TOEFL/IELTS well in advance, edit your essays multiple times, and reach out to your referees with enough time to spare.

    And of course, don’t forget to ask for help!

  • MPP Mondays (Part I): What is a Master’s in Public Policy?

    This 3-part blog offers a quick insight into what a postgraduate public policy degree entails, a peek into the application process and finally, career options post this master’s.

    Postgraduate public policy degrees are gaining popularity in India, particularly amongst lawyers looking to work on broader national and international issues. Schools that offer Masters’ degrees in this field have been around for a few decades though – especially in the United States.

    Today, there are several variants of this degree, the most common one being the Master of Public Policy (MPP) and the Master of Public Administration (MPA). Other courses include the Master of Arts in International Development Policy, Master in International Affairs, and other such similar titles.

    So, what does studying public policy entail?

    With no official definition of the term, public policy can be generally understood as the mass of laws, policies, regulatory measures, government action, programs, state administration and institutional customs and the associated decision-making processes that affect local, national and global issues. This is of course, a simplification of the vast and diverse landscape of public policy because often, policy can be shaped by civil society, corporations, mass movements or international organizations alongside government.

    Whatever the nomenclature of the degree, there are several things in common. Most schools in the U.S. offer a 2-year program. European universities also offer a 1 year variant. The overall idea is to provide a grounding of the theoretical and analytical disciplines, frameworks and tools essential for analysing the world we live in, and real-world policy applications.

    Typically, these courses teach the basics of macroeconomics and microeconomics, political science, international relations theory, international trade, the principles of policy making, public management/administration, and an introduction to international non-governmental organizations such as the UN or World Bank in the first year. Programs also have an element of quantitative analysis with courses on econometrics, statistics and tools for data analysis (Python, STATA, R, Excel etc.).

    The second year offers more freedom of choice to students to pick multidisciplinary courses. Schools offer specializations in fields such as urban planning and development, energy, environment, gender, human rights, conflict resolution, advanced data analysis, and sometimes offer concentrations in a particular region such as ASEAN, MENA, LATAM and so on. Many times, universities allow cross-faculty registration for a few credits, which means you also have the option to study a course or two from the B-School, Law School or another department of your choice.

    Students are encouraged to think along prescriptive lines with a call to action to have a positive impact and come up with concrete action on complex global challenges—ranging from climate change to poverty to peace building. There is a definite practical element essential to becoming a policy practitioner. To this end, universities require students (especially those with under five years of full-time work experience) to complete an internship in the summer.

    Like every master’s course, students also need to write a thesis to graduate. Policy programs use what is known as a ‘capstone’ or a policy analysis exercise project, usually in the second year in place of a standard thesis. Students work in groups with a real-life client (either of their choosing or provided by the university) over the course of a few months (a semester) and are mentored by a faculty advisor. The project involves identifying a policy issue and spending time understanding the client’s needs, conducting research – both primary and secondary, and coming up with policy recommendations.

    One example, Columbia University’s School of International & Public Affairs asks students to work in groups during their final semester for the Capstone. A project may entail weeks of desk research, preparation and guidance from a faculty advisor, followed by 1-2 weeks on ground conducting field research in the market/geography concerned. Students speak with stakeholders including government, academia, think tanks and industry representatives.

    The end result is usually s a report documenting the key sectoral challenges, and actionable policy recommendations on how the country/client could mitigate this particular challenge. Topics range from poverty, corruption in resource-rich countries, humanitarian assistance, innovation in energy and so on.

    This is an overview of what you’re getting into if you choose to study a master’s in public policy.

    Watch this space for more!

  • First Person Accounts: Nidhi Jhawar on the IP LL.M. at the University of Turin & WIPO

    First Person Accounts (FPA’s) are meant to provide a first-hand account of Indian graduates who have pursued, or are pursuing, a post-graduate course (LL.M. or otherwise) from different universities across the world.

    Nidhi Jhawar recently completed the Masters in Intellectual Property jointly offered by the University of Turin and WIPO.  A 2018 graduated of Symbiosis Law School in Pune, Nidhi enrolled for the master’s right after her undergraduate course. In this FPA, she discusses the benefits of the course, shares some advice for prospective applicants, and a whole lot more.

    Nidhi Jhawar recently completed the Masters in Intellectual Property offered by the University of Turin.
    Nidhi Jhawar

    At what point in time during your undergraduate days did you decide to enrol for an LLM? Did you consider working a few years before the LLM?

    The seed of pursuing an LLM right after graduation was sown in my mind while preparing for the prestigious Oxford Price Media moot court competition in my third year at law school. Multiple internships and publications in the intellectual property sphere later, in my final year, the idea was ripe and ready to be executed.

    I had had a brief brush with Media and Entertainment Laws as one of my electives during my college years. However, I firmly believed I needed a more solid knowledge base before embarking upon a career in my chosen field.

    For law students, the conundrum almost always exists between the two – whether to gain work experience prior to the Masters or to pursue the course right after graduation. The experience and what you choose to take from the Masters, inevitably, is subjective.

    “For law students, the conundrum almost always exists between the two – whether to gain work experience prior to the Masters or to pursue the course right after graduation. The experience and what you choose to take from the Masters, inevitably, is subjective.”

    Speaking from personal experience, the LLM was a period of intensive academic growth in my life and provided me with a range of opportunities and exposure, which continue to play a huge role for me on the professional front.

    How did you go about university selections? And how did you narrow down on Turin and the WIPO LLM?

    My prime focus during university selections was on the course module, faculty and economic viability of pursuing an LLM right after graduation. Consistently ranked amongst the top courses for intellectual property rights around the world with a highly competitive selection procedure and limited number of seats (a total of up to 40 participants are admitted to the program), the WIPO-University of Turin LLM (“WIPO-Turin LLM) proved to be an ideal fit.

    Apart from the unique course structure of the WIPO-Turin LLM (three components spread over nine months- distance learning, face-to-face and the research/thesis period), one of the factors that makes the course stand out is the mix of people from different disciplines who pursue it.

    Since IPR cannot be studied in isolation, the exposure to people from varied professional and personal backgrounds provided the possibility of a truly international forum for exchange of knowledge and ideas.

    Any advice on how to go about the application process? More specifically, writing the SoP and finding referees for the LoRs?

    Since the LLM is offered jointly by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the University of Turin, the applicant can apply to either of the two to be considered for admission. I’d say 2-3 months prior to the application deadline would be a prudent time to start getting your documents in order. A list of documents required for application is available here.

    The most taxing part of writing my Statement of Purpose was acceptance of the fact that when I put ink to paper, it is likely that the early drafts are going to be embryonic at best. My two cents for writing the SoP can be best summed up by the following quote- “Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.”

    “My two cents for writing the SoP can be best summed up by the following quote- ‘Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.’”

    With reference to LoRs, as is often recommended, one should attempt to get them from direct supervisors/professors as they are in a better position to vouch for your abilities.

    The LL.M. course has an online component for the first three months – could you describe the course load during this phase?

    Since the course attracts participation of people from lawyers as well as non-lawyers, the first three months of the course are designed to provide each participant with a preliminary and homogeneous background in Intellectual Property Rights and to prepare for the intensive classroom learning period.

    The course load during this phase requires you to dedicate a couple of hours towards learning per week and I’d say, working professionals should be able to balance the first component along with their job.

    Did you apply for financial aid of any kind?

    Yes, I did apply for financial aid which is offered both by WIPO and University of Turin in the form of full and partial scholarships.

    If one submits their application via WIPO Academy, it is automatically considered for a scholarship. A full scholarship would typically cover your tuition fees, accommodation, living expenses and transportation.

    While all candidates are eligible to be considered for grant of the scholarship, applicants working in the public sector (Government, Ministries, Intellectual Property Offices) in their respective countries are generally given preference for such consideration.

    However, one always has the option to directly apply to the University of Turin for a full or partial waiver of tuition fees.

    Lastly, would you recommend it to other Indian law graduates?

    I highly recommend the course to lawyers and non-lawyers alike for three primary reasons – a nuanced understanding of intellectual property rights; prospective internship and career opportunities post-graduation with WIPO, EUIPO and distinguished professors; and excellent networking opportunities.

    Of course, getting to do so in the old capital city of Italy: Torino (often referred to as the Paris of Italy) has its own perks.

  • Chasing dogs with a helmet on or how motorcycle travel is helping me survive these surreal times

    Chasing dogs with a helmet on or how motorcycle travel is helping me survive these surreal times

    Let’s get right to it – I definitely am worried about what the immediate future holds for Amicus Partners. Bar qualifications, the falling rupee, ever changing travel restrictions – these are just a few of the things that already have, and will continue to, impact foreign study plans. No doubt, over the long term I believe that things will get back to normal, and possibly grow, but the short-term view certainly isn’t pretty.

    Which is par for the course, I suppose, for any organization in today’s strange new world.

    But there is also a larger, more general sense of worry that is harder to silence. It is a worry of the paralyzing kind, one which batters down hope, and which claws at you all the time. Incessantly. Taking up more and more space within your mind.

    This is the worry that I find myself struggling with, and this is what I wanted to devote this column to. A column that, for once, has little to do with LL.M. applications or even legal education.

    It has taken much soul searching (alright no more clichés), but I do seem to have found solace in a rather unlikely source – motorcycle travel.

    Just stay with me on this one.

    It means different things to different people, but for me, travelling on two wheels of the mechanized kind have resulted in fantastic learnings. These are travels that are not only about the memories made, and the places visited but also about the many lessons you learn along the way. Lessons that are as valuable to you while you are riding as they are when you are not.

    The lessons are many, here are six that I think are the most relevant.

    Lesson One: Look where you wish to go

    This is one of the simplest rules of biking, and one whose simplicity often makes it the hardest to follow. You, and your bike, will go where you look. If you want to take a particular line, that is where you have to look.

    I don’t know how and why this works but I do know it does.

    Think about where you want to go, look in that direction, and that is where you will find yourself. Of course, there are additional factors at play such as speed, skill etc. but the lesson’s base utility remains.

    Look where you wish to go.

    Lesson Two: Let go of excess luggage

    You can only carry so much on your bike. And after the first few trips, I realized that I did not even need half the things that I had taken along. I also realized that lesser the luggage, lighter the bike and hence easier to pick up when dropped.

    The lighter the bike, the easier it is to manoeuvre this way and that. And lesser the luggage, the lighter the load on your arms and your back as you trudge towards your halt for the night.

    Eventually, you realise that there are only so many “things” you actually need. This also means that you take greater care of what you have; you appreciate and value them more.

    Alright, I will stop being meta. For now.

    Lesson Three: The bad roads never last

    They just do not. Sure, there may be times when every crater and pothole jars right up your spine, and your hands and eyes and legs grow tired but always, always, always know that this shall pass. In fact, you can even make this an opportunity to learn or practice a skill such as riding standing up, learning about you and your bike’s own limitations etc.

    This too shall pass
    This too shall pass

    Just know that you shall hit smooth, buttery smooth, tarmac soon enough. Which, in turn, will also end.

    What I am trying to say here is that don’t despair too much about the non-roads, and don’t get too happy about the paved ones either. Enjoy them for what they are, and you will be just fine.

    Did I say that I would stop being meta? I may have been incorrect.

    Lesson Four: Things, like your bike or your self-belief, will break down. And get fixed.

    They certainly have in my case. Without a working bike, your travels are effectively over. And without self-belief, things can become quite unpleasant quite quickly.

    Thankfully, both can be fixed. Of this, again, I rely on my own experiences.

    If you do not have the professional skills for repairs, find someone who does. Just remember that even during the darkest of times, there is always a way out. A way that is often found with the help of someone else.

    Which brings me to my next point.

    Lesson Five: Ask for help. You will find it.

    This has been one of the most beautiful lessons that biking has taught me. As a solo, novice biker with zero mechanical knowledge, my biggest fear has been a bike breakdown. Especially in the more rural parts of the country.

    And yet, I have always (always!) found help, often in places where I least expected it. This holds true for non-mechanical help as well. Right from running out of money to being stranded on a tiny mountain road with a bike that refused to start, help has come.

    Always.

    I suppose technology has played a part here as well – in an always online world, getting heard is not that hard. But you still have to ask.

    And finally, the most important lesson of them all:

    Lesson Six: If you have to chase a dog down a highway, remove your helmet first.

    Clearly, the most important lesson of them all. And one I only learnt after a curious canine decide to pick up my gloves as I was trying to pick up my fallen bike.  He, that lovely creature may God bless his soul, then decided to trot away with me giving chase and screaming all sorts of politeness.

    Eventually, he (the curious canine) lost interest, lay the gloves on the road and then wandered off to wherever he came from. Leaving me breathless, but thankfully not gloveless, on the side of the road. Panting into my helmet.

    Which is how I realized that if I had to do that again, I would remove the helmet first. Makes it easier to breathe. Far easier.

    And, some times, all we really need to do is breathe.