Alisa Isabella Sero (Art, Business and Law LLM 2026)

6 May 2026

Can you tell me a bit about yourself and your background/family?

I am 32 years old and fully qualified lawyer from Germany, with German and Bosnian roots. I graduated from the University of Potsdam in Brandenburg and completed my Second State Examination in 2022 in Berlin. After qualifying, I worked for over 2 years as a Legal Advisor at the Federal Archives, a major public cultural institution in Germany. This was my first full-time role and gave me valuable insight into the intersection of law and cultural heritage.

I chose to pursue the LLM at CCLS to specialise in Art Law, which has long been a personal and professional ambition. I am the first person in my family to study law, and also the first to study abroad. Before this programme, I had never lived abroad or on my own, so this experience has been a significant step forward, both professionally and in terms of personal development.

What do you study and how is your course going?

I’m studying the Art, Business and Law LLM programme and the course so far is going very, very well. I passed all my first-semester assessments, which I was very happy about. The programme has provided me with valuable knowledge and insights that I would not have gained elsewhere. This is exactly what I have always been interested in! In addition, the material provided in class and the lecturers are very good. What I also particularly value are the personal encounters with professionals and peers, which I find highly inspiring and motivating.

As part of the course, we also do some co-curriculum activities, such as visiting cultural institutions, galleries and auction houses, which offer practical insights into the art world and complement the academic learning.

Among the compulsory modules, my favourites so far are Art Transactions and Art Disputes and Their Resolution. The Art Transactions module examines specific court rulings with fascinating art-related facts and addresses key issues such as remedies, attribution and authenticity, the duties of art professionals, and title of ownership. In Art Disputes and Their Resolution, we explore Alternative Dispute Resolution in the context of challenging conflicts involving cultural artefacts. This module is particularly valuable as it encourages us to look beyond purely legal considerations and work towards fair and balanced solutions.

I have also selected elective modules that I find highly engaging, including Art and Money, IP and the Creative Industries, and IP and Fashion: Culture and Art. I have always been interested in Copyright Law as an integral part of Art Law. While working full-time, I never had the opportunity to focus on it extensively, despite wanting to explore it further and having lingering questions. The programme now allows me to engage more deeply with these topics, particularly in the creative industries and fashion, which is entirely new to me and intellectually very stimulating. Building on this, my dissertation focuses on copyright and cultural heritage, enabling me to investigate the complex legal challenges of preserving and managing cultural works within the framework of intellectual property law.

Why did you choose Queen Mary - CCLS and London?

My decision was primarily driven by the programme itself, which I consider unique. The collaboration with the Institute of Art and Law is particularly distinctive. I think it was also the first programme to be created and available at a University in the UK. It was the legacy of Norman Palmer. There are similar LL.M. programmes in York and Rome. But my first choice has always been Queen Mary and to be honest, I only applied for this programme. I thought that nothing really would compare to it. London was also an important factor, as it is one of the world’s leading centres for the art market. These are the reasons for my choice. 

How were things before you received the funding?

Before receiving funding, I was trying to find ways to make this significant financial investment feasible. I got the unconditional offer and I was already happy about it and I thought, well, nothing is going to stop me now. Although I had saved a considerable amount from my full-time job, I initially assumed I could cover the remaining costs with a loan. However, after discussing this with a bank, I realised the potential debt would be much higher than expected.

At the same time, I felt a great deal of pressure, as I had already informed my employer of my plans to study abroad but had not yet resigned due to ongoing financial uncertainty. When I received the scholarship, I felt very relieved. It was definitely the final core puzzle piece that made it possible for me to pursue my studies in London without financial uncertainty and without concerns about how this might affect my academic performance. It really enabled me to make the decision with confidence

How did you feel when you heard you got the funding and has it made an impact for you?

I was thrilled. I really couldn't believe that it was me, who was chosen to receive it. I thought there would be so many applicants and I had a very small chance. And again, it gave me confidence to go ahead with my planning and looking forward to everything. It has had a significant impact, allowing me to focus on my studies without financial stress.

Do you think financial worries weigh heavily on students?

I definitely think that for some students they are. They are concerned about their finances and they do have to do part time jobs so they can pay their rent. They cannot just focus on their studies as they have to work. I know students who have to work five days a week since private circumstances unforeseeably changed or to do two part-time jobs just to pay their rent. I have also heard about a student who had to considered how many times a week they would be able to travel to CCLS by public transport. I am aware that it's a big privilege to be able to just focus on studies and not be worried about money. I think financial worries really affect how you experience everything.

What are your plans for the future?

At the moment I am just focusing on the studies right now. I applied for the CCLS Postgraduate Law Mentoring Programme, but I think there were so many applicants that I didn’t get a place. I will apply for the Boodle Hatfield ABL Work Placement, which gives the opportunity to gain work-experience in a London based renowned art-law-firm in June.

While I have not yet secured a position after graduation, I have started exploring opportunities in Germany. Although roles specifically in Art Law are relatively niche, I am confident that I will find a suitable position, potentially within public institutions or in legal practice related to the art sector.

What would you like to say to those who donated to provide these awards?

I'm definitely forever thankful and grateful for this opportunity. The scholarship has really been a blessing to me and it enabled me to do this project (studying specialised LLM) which I've been dreaming of for many years and it enabled me to fully focus on my studies and to make the most of the opportunities here at CCLS and in London. I think it gave me a lot more freedom in many ways.

Receiving this scholarship and subsequently being able to undertake the LLM will enable me to do the more specialized jobs. Previously, I could only express an interest in this field; now, I have the qualifications and experience to actively pursue a job I’ve always dreamt of. I am confident that this opportunity will open doors that would otherwise have remained closed.

 

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