Valentine’s Day CCLS Alumni Story

14 February 2026

Michele Pinheiro (Intellectual Property Law, 2025) narrates the story of how she met her husband Marcos Orofino (Commercial and Corporate Law, 2025) in law school and how they travelled to London together for their CCLS studies:

“Our story began in 2012, in the city of Rio de Janeiro, where we were both young law students at university. What started as passing glances in lectures soon became a shared routine of swapping class notes, collaborating on homework, and studying together. Slowly, we found more reasons to talk, and almost fourteen years later, here we are, still side by side, with countless memories, two beloved dogs, and many adventures behind us.

Even early on, the dream of living in London was close to my heart. Ever since I first read Jane Austen as a young girl, I had imagined coming to the United Kingdom, wandering the streets of the city and the countryside, and soaking in its history and charm. Marcos had never been to London, yet he trusted that he too would fall in love with it, and of course he did.

We arrived in London two weeks before our LLMs at Queen Mary were due to start, giving us a precious window to explore the city. We spent those late summer days wandering the streets, taking in the sights, and watching sunsets from Primrose Hill Park, right near where we lived. Those warm, golden evenings remain some of our most treasured memories, a lovely prelude to the academic challenges and friendships that awaited us at Queen Mary.

Arriving in London and starting our LLMs at Queen Mary together made the whole experience far less daunting. Knowing we had each other’s support gave us confidence as we navigated a new city, a new culture, and the challenges of postgraduate study. Yet the first weeks were a mixture of excitement and nerves.

Since we were in completely different courses, Marcos in Commercial and Corporate Law and me in Intellectual Property, our schedules rarely overlapped and we had no classes in common. That, however, turned out to be a blessing in disguise. We had the best of both worlds: evenings at home together, sharing notes, supporting each other through the stress of exams and essays, and yet the freedom to explore different academic circles and make friends from all over the world independently.

This balance gave us a sense of stability in an unfamiliar environment while still allowing each of us to grow, meet new people, and immerse ourselves in everything London had to offer. Looking back, those first weeks taught us how to be a team while also celebrating our individual paths, a lesson that has stayed with us ever since.

Since completing our LLMs at Queen Mary, our shared journey in London has continued to grow. We have spent the past year studying together for the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE), supporting each other through late-night revisions, practice questions, and the inevitable moments of stress. Marcos has also found a position at a law firm here in London, and our teamwork, both in life and in law, continues to be our greatest strength.

Looking back, coming to London and Queen Mary together was more than just an academic adventure. It was the start of a life built on partnership, encouragement, and shared dreams. From wandering the streets of Primrose Hill, discovering quirky food markets, exploring museums, sharing pints with friends in Bethnal Green, to spending long hours at IALS and navigating our separate courses while cheering each other on, we built a rhythm that balanced work, fun, and togetherness. The city quickly became a home for both of us, a place where we continue to grow together and individually.

Queen Mary gave us the tools, the experiences, and the confidence to embrace this new chapter, and for that, we are forever grateful.

Thank you, Queen Mary!”