Alumni profile - Héloïse Lauret
(English and European Law, Graduate Class 2024)
I wanted a legal education honouring both legal traditions — and Queen Mary’s programme was one of the few that offered that.
Introduction
I’m Héloïse Lauret, from Reunion Island; a French overseas territory in the Indian Ocean. I graduated with an LLB in English and European Law (Honours) in 2024, having also completed a Licence de droit privé at Université Paris II Panthéon-Assas as part of the programme. I’ve just finished my LLM in Technology, Media and Telecommunications Law, during which I served as both course representative and student ambassador.
What was your background before studying your LLB?
Before Queen Mary, I completed my secondary education in Reunion, where I was lauréate au Concours Général des Lycées and received several academic prizes. During my time there, I served as class president and student board member. I also volunteered with The Rotary Club and The French Red Cross, which nurtured a strong interest in advocacy and social justice.
Why did you choose to study at Queen Mary?
Queen Mary stood out for its vibrant student community, global perspective, and London campus.
The opportunity to pursue a dual degree with Paris II Panthéon-Assas was transformative. Being fluent in English and French, I wanted a legal education honouring both legal traditions—and Queen Mary’s programme was one of the few that offered that! Studying at a Russell Group institution and learning from world-leading academics was a determining factor.
Being from Reunion, I was particularly drawn to Queen Mary’s international environment, which allowed me to learn alongside students from around the world, while sharing my own French and Creole heritage.
London itself was equally important. Being in the UK’s legal hub allowed me to attend industry conferences, network with practitioners, and gain insight into the commercial realities shaping legal practice—experiences I could not have accessed elsewhere.
What were the highlights of studying your programme?
The most formative experience was my year abroad at Paris II Panthéon-Assas. Studying civil law in a competitive and academically challenging environment was intellectually demanding, but extremely rewarding. It taught me how to think across legal systems—a skill that now defines my approach to research and practice.
Engaging beyond coursework was equally valuable. Working as a legal adviser at the Queen Mary Legal Advice Centre allowed me to apply doctrine to real client problems, shaping my professional approach while giving back to my local community.
Modules such as Media Law, Protecting Personal Privacy, and Interactive Entertainment Law nurtured and deepened my interest in TMT. I am particularly grateful to Gavin Sutter, whose teaching in Media Law sparked my passion for the field, and to Dr. Jeevan Hariharan, whose privacy teachings inspired my dissertation.
Additionally, serving as course representative and student ambassador allowed me to give back to the programme while building relationships with faculty and peers. Volunteering as a Marketing Officer at More Than Just A Game 2025, and co-delivering induction sessions for incoming LLM students, showed me I genuinely enjoy sharing knowledge—something I plan to incorporate into my career. My sincere thanks to Professors Johanna Gibson and Gaetano Dimita for these opportunities.
What are your plans for the future?
I aim to build a portfolio career combining legal practice with academic thought leadership. Ideally, I would practice law in the creative industries while maintaining an academic affiliation, shaping discourse around digital IP rights through publications, conferences and possibly teaching. Growing up in a multicultural environment has instilled in me a deep appreciation for diverse narratives and cultural expression. My Creole heritage drives my focus on transmedia storytelling at the heart of my work.
In the near future, I plan to qualify in England and Wales, continuing to bridge legal practice with the evolving creative and digital landscape.
What advice would you offer future students?
Be curious! Try pro bono work, compete in moots, attend panels outside your immediate interest area—you never know what might spark inspiration! Take advantage of opportunities at QMUL: join societies, engage with the Student Union, and meet new people. Law school can be intense, but the best work comes from genuine passion—and rest!
Most importantly, remember why you started. Find what drives you, and let that guide your career choices!