Legal Clinic Second Edition

With King & Spalding, FANR & Clyde & Co, True Law Partners and Arbitrate AD 

(April–May 2025) 

The second edition of the Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi Legal Clinic, held between April and May 2025, expanded students’ exposure to complex international legal matters through collaborations with King & Spalding LLP, the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR), and guest speakers from different law firms in Abu Dhabi. This edition provided students with a diverse range of learning experiences rooted in real-life legal practice and global regulatory frameworks. 

The programme began with three highly structured sessions hosted by King & Spalding LLP, a global law firm with deep expertise in corporate, construction, and infrastructure law. Students attended workshops on Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A), Construction Contracting, Real Estate, Legal Drafting, Fund Structures, and Major Projects. These sessions were led by practicing lawyers including Catherine Catolico, Aaron Ohm, Saud Aldawsari, and Tim Burbury, who provided practical case insights and discussed legal strategies from deal structuring to contract negotiation. The real-world examples such as contracting frameworks and share purchase agreements helped students understand the legal architecture behind large-scale transactions in the UAE and beyond. 

In parallel, students also participated in a full-day academic session at FANR (the UAE’s Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation) on 17 April 2025. This workshop offered an in-depth introduction to nuclear law, including international legal frameworks on safety, security, non-proliferation, and civil liability for nuclear damage. Led by experts like Mariam Al Dhaheri, Shaikha Al Khoori, Aysha Al Awadhi, and Amal Saif, the session placed legal concepts in the context of global treaties and regulatory compliance. The experience was particularly valuable for students interested in environmental law, as it showcased how legal instruments play a key role in managing technological risk and sustainable development. 

A key moment of this edition was the on-campus talk with two international lawyers. The first, Kavya Balram, Senior Associate at True Law Partners, shared her career journey across multiple jurisdictions, offering students a realistic view of international legal practice and its challenges. 

The second speaker, Roshanak Bassiri Gharb, Senior Associate at Clyde & Co, focused on the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). As a dual-qualified solicitor (UK and India), she explained the SQE process and gave practical advice for those considering UK qualification. 

Students were also introduced to the fascinating world of alternative dispute resolution—particularly arbitration—through a visit from two experts from ArbitradeAD, the Abu Dhabi International Arbitration Centre: Maria Mazzawi, Registrar, and Verina George Kamal, Deputy Legal Counsel. 

While some technical aspects of the sessions such as fund structures and nuclear liability regimes proved challenging, they sparked deeper curiosity and engagement. The presence of experienced professionals made the learning approachable and inspiring. Students were able to ask questions freely, gain practical insights, and observe how theory translates into real legal work. 

This second edition of the legal clinic was a resounding success. It bridged academic learning with professional reality, provided visibility into specialised legal sectors, and offered valuable mentoring moments. For law students at Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, the clinic once again proved to be an exceptional opportunity for growth, discovery, and professional development. As one of the most impactful law internship opportunities in the UAE, it provided valuable real-world insight into legal practice.