Class of 2025

Azzedine Guinto Sadsad (International Tax Law LLM, 2025) 

I am thrilled to share that I have completed my Master of Laws (LL.M.) in International Tax Law at Queen Mary University of London, graduating with the highest academic honors — a Distinction.

My dissertation, “Between Commitment and Compliance: A Critical Assessment of the Philippines’ Transfer Pricing Documentation Framework under BEPS Action 13,” was also marked with Distinction. It explores the gap between the Philippines’ formal commitment to the OECD’s BEPS Action 13 and its substantive compliance in implementing transfer pricing documentation rules. By comparing the Philippine experience with those of Malaysia, Vietnam, and Thailand, the research highlights the need for legal, institutional, and technological reforms to turn symbolic compliance into genuine enforcement that safeguards revenues and enhances tax transparency.

I am deeply grateful to my professors Joy Svasti-Salee, Christiana HJI Panayi Vasiliki Koukoulioti and Bernard Schneider—true rockstars in the field of international tax law—for their brilliance, patience, and generosity in sharing their knowledge.

To my cohort mates, thank you for the friendship, collaboration, and for trusting me to serve as your Course Representative. The moments we shared in lectures, assessment seasons, and cohort events made this year truly memorable. I look forward to seeing all of you again this January.

Lastly, I would like to thank the Chevening Awards and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office for investing in my potential to make a difference. This life-changing journey has deepened my resolve to contribute to policy reforms that bring us closer to a fair, transparent, and sustainable tax system for the Philippines.

Annabel Coffie (Regulation and Compliance in Finance LLM, 2025)

Exactly a year ago today . I remember asking my friend to take a photo of me so I could send it to my parents. Standing with the Lincoln’s Inn Fields park behind me and the Centre for Commercial Law Studies in front of me, My mum replied, “Now that you’ve settled in, focus and bring home the A’s.”

An obedient child I am because of THAT, I did !

Today, it is an absolute delight to share that I have successfully completed my studies and have confirmed that I will be graduating with a Distinction in my LLM in Regulation and Compliance in Finance from Queen Mary University of London!

I’ll spare you the usual platitudes about how hard the journey was and how hard I fought…(though expect them on graduation day).

I am, however, truly proud of my dissertation, titled: “When Last Resort Becomes First Choice: Regulatory Forbearance, Moral Hazard, and Institutional Fragility in the UK and Ghana Post-COVID.”

It explored regulatory forbearance from a developing-country perspective; one that, as my markers noted, is “oftentimes not seen.” This thesis reflects my enduring interest in the intersection of regulation, governance, and finance.

This achievement was first and foremost a product of God’s grace. All glory be to God!

I am deeply grateful to my parents and family for their unwavering support; I know I couldn’t have done this without them.

A heartfelt thank you to Kamala Dawar, my fantastic supervisor, who guided me and believed in my direction even when I questioned it along the way.

To my mother, Professor Coffie, with all your workload, you still found time to proofread and pull my drafts apart, only to help me rebuild them stronger. I love you so much.

To my mentor Janice Acquaah , gifted to me through the CCLS postgraduate Law mentorship programme a very sincere thank you for going above and beyond for me. I’m happy to say I’ve found a lifelong mentor.

A special thank you to Professor Rosa Lastra; as someone newly pivoting from corporate law into financial law, you made everything about financial regulation easy to assimilate. Your teaching built the foundation for much of what I now understand and love about this field.

Another heartfelt thank you to Professor John Taylor , a steady and infinite source of wisdom and counsel, one that I will continue to run to for counsel! Another gift CCLS gave me.

And finally, to my new friends and faculty members: you made coming to class easy and every day worthwhile.

It was a challenging yet deeply rewarding year and I’m so excited for what’s next in London’s legal and compliance world.

Pritam Dumbré (Comparative and International Dispute Resolution LLM, 2025) 

It is with great honour and gratitude that I share the successful culmination of my LLM in Comparative and International Dispute Resolution with a Merit at the dynamic Queen Mary University of London.

I might have imagined that a second master’s would come a little easier, given the experience of having undertaken one before. But this one turned out to be more demanding- more exacting in the best possible way. And for that, I’m truly grateful.

Over the past year, my journey through the QMUL - The London LLM brought together an assortment of subjects that made my learning experience a wholesome one. I studied several modules from the Dispute Resolution cohort, two from the Intellectual Property specialization, and one on Art Disputes and Their Resolution, which I was fortunate to have shared with my batchmates from the Art, Business and Law LL.M. This blend of disciplines helped broaden my horizons. Beyond that, Electives in Structuring Arguments and Avoiding Plagiarism, Critical Thinking and Legal Writing, and Effective Presentation Skills sharpened my approach to research and drafting in ways that extend well beyond the curriculum.

Most of all, I owe thanks to the School of International Arbitration (QMUL), for igniting and nurturing my passion for International Arbitration. A zeal that I now carry forward with deep enthusiasm and conviction.

To my mother, Adv. Arundhati Dumbre, whose wisdom and aspiration inspired me every step of the way- this degree belongs to her as much as it does to me. And to my professors- (brace yourselves for a long list of luminaries) -

Dr. Maria Fanou, Prof Loukas Mistelis FCIArb, Dr. Theodora Christou, Prof Johanna Gibson, Gavin Sutter, Dr. Debbie De Girolamo, Professor Alexander Herman, Professor Emily Gould, Simona Valkova, Dr Thomas Lehmann, Nicholas Lloyd and Professor Florian Koempel- thank you for everything you’ve brought to my academic and professional life. Your influence has been both profound and lasting.

As I look back, I remember this journey with fond memories, and an enduring sense of belonging to this institution that has in many ways shaped who I am. To my fellow graduates and alumni- may we remain bound by the virtue of this institution we now proudly call our Alma Mater.

Chaitanya Pandey (Technology, Media and Telecommunications Law LLM, 2025)

Pandey achieved a Distinction for his LLM; he says: "Why it matters to me: learning the law so I can use it for something useful. In Philadelphia, Tom Hanks’ character says they came into law to be part of doing justice. For me, it is fairness. Bridging gaps and making things a little less lopsided. That takes learning and application, not just intention.

The grade is not a celebration. It is an objective that mapped to effort and foresight. A check on whether I truly understood the work and what my academics asked of me. My favourite learning experience was that the paper I worked the hardest on scored the least. I overdid it. It happens. Still, I got to do what I wanted to do.

I wrote on the Batmobile and lightsaber’s copyright status, betting and gaming laws in India, film distribution strategies, free speech and media regulation, and sampling in hip-hop. These are topics I have read and argued about since I was a kid. This time someone evaluated me and called my bluffs. I am grateful for that.

Thank you to everyone who helped me reach here. I am not self-made. I could not have imagined this path without people who took an interest and backed me. I am grateful to you, and to the past me who kept going.

Next, I am quietly building something at the intersection of music, media, and law - independent, practical, creator-first. If that sparks a conversation, legal or creative or somewhere in between, I am here for a chat and even a jam."

Jorge Luis Romero Charles (Banking and Finance Law LLM, 2025)

I’m incredibly grateful to share that I have graduated from the LLM in Banking and Finance at Queen Mary University of London.

This has been a year as challenging as it was rewarding. The days following my graduation have been hectic, filled with emotions and goodbyes, but they also gave me time to reflect. I can truly say this has been an unforgettable chapter.

From cold mornings and long days preparing for examinations to moments of stress and self-doubt, this journey shaped me both academically and personally. But beyond the challenges, it was the incredible experiences that defined the year, meaningful discussions in lectures, memorable trips, and friendships that will last a lifetime.

I am especially thankful to Professor Rosa Lastra, not only as my LLM Programme Director but also as the lecturer of some of the courses that impacted me the most, particularly Regulation of Financial Markets and Law of International Financial Institutions. Her guidance and commitment to academic excellence deeply influenced my journey.

This year reminded me that growth often comes from discomfort, and that perseverance, curiosity, and passion make even the most demanding moments worthwhile. As I move forward in my career, I carry with me the lessons learned, the resilience built, and the motivation to continue challenging myself in whatever comes next.

Alisha Ishaq (Intellectual Property Law LLM, 2025)

I’m so excited to share that I’ve officially completed my Master of Laws in Intellectual Property Law at Queen Mary University of London with a Merit! 🥳🎉

This past year has been an incredible journey of learning, challenge and growth. Studying at Queen Mary University of London gave me the opportunity to explore how law shapes creativity and innovation, from film to music and beyond. One of the most rewarding parts of this degree was getting to study things I never imagined I’d explore in law school, writing essays on my favourite films and topics I care about such as the preservation of video games. It’s been amazing to connect my academic work with the things I genuinely love.

Alongside my studies, I also had the chance to take part in some amazing opportunities, from hosting podcast episodes with qLegal to volunteering at events such as More Than Just a Game.

I’m deeply grateful to all my professors, especially Prof Johanna Gibson, Gaetano Dimita and Florian Koempel for fostering such an inspiring and intellectually vibrant environment and to my peers for making this experience so enriching and memorable.

I’m walking away from this degree not only with new knowledge, but with a renewed sense of purpose and excitement for what’s ahead in the world of intellectual property and law.

Denis Parchajev (Investment Arbitration PhD, 2025)

I am deeply grateful to Queen Mary University of London and the Centre for Commercial Law Studies for shaping my academic and professional path over the past fourteen years – from my LLM to the completion of my PhD.
What began as an adventurous postgraduate project grew into a truly life-changing experience. Throughout the years, CCLS constantly challenged me and pushed me to improve.
I owe special thanks to my supervisors and the wider faculty, whose intellectual generosity, high standards, and genuine encouragement made this journey possible.
Queen Mary gave me confidence, perspective, and a community I remain proud to be part of.

Emire Tatli (Competition Law LLM, 2025)

Officially Master of Laws in Competition Law which means I can now say “it depends” with even more confidence. This year at CCLS has been far more than an academic achievement. It has been an intellectually enriching and personally transformative journey. London was once a dream, and studying here allowed me to experience not only world-class legal education, but also the vibrancy of a truly global city from conferences and networking events to conversations that extended far beyond the classroom. What I valued most about CCLS was its diversity in perspectives, backgrounds, and ideas. I am incredibly grateful to have built friendships that now feel like home across different parts of the world. Although I specialised in Competition Law, I also had the opportunity to explore EU Trade Law, International Commercial Law, Design and IP Law, and Advocacy in Commercial Disputes. This flexibility allowed me to combine my broader commercial interests while sharpening my focus on the field I am most passionate about. CCLS was an amazing and defining year for me academically, professionally, and personally. As a qualified lawyer in Türkiye, this degree has encouraged me to pursue dual qualification, and I am currently preparing for the SQE. I feel incredibly fortunate for the opportunities and guidance that CCLS has provided along this path. And almost forgot (!) — I would be more than happy to share my dissertation with anyone interested: “Ambiguities in Integrating Innovation into Market Definition under EU Merger Control: Before and After the 2024 Market Definition Notice.

Vaidehi Lal (Technology, Media and Telecommunications Law LLM, 2025)

I am Vaidehi Lal from Mumbai, India, and I graduated with an LLM in Technology, Media and Telecommunications Law at Queen Mary University of London this year.

One key lesson from my time here is that true curiosity demands setting aside ego to truly understand people, their likes, dislikes, and perspectives while nurturing an insatiable hunger to learn.

For me, media, entertainment, and data protection emerged as the most rewarding platforms, fuelling my decision to pursue this LLM so I could explore these fields from every corner of the world. The course delivered brilliantly on that front.

Looking ahead, I am preparing for the Certified Information Privacy Professional/Europe (CIPP/E) certification. Back home now, I work at a media law firm as an associate, where being a lawyer means not just litigating in court but truly enjoying the work.

Queen Mary taught me to view challenges from fresh angles. Graduating from here has been an immense blessing, validating years of hard work through exceptional faculty, inspiring peers, and transformative courses. I have evolved into a new person, armed with skills I never knew I possessed, and my personality has grown immeasurably.

My heartfelt thanks to everyone at Queen Mary University of London for every mentor, every friend, and every critic who shaped me into the person I am today.