We asked LL.M. students and graduates to share their thoughts on their schools, their careers, and advice for future students.
Gwenelyne Achu Frinwi is a native of Cameroon, and earned her LL.M. from the University of Cincinnati College of Law in 2016. Her master’s degree had an emphasis in corporate law and international business transactions.
She is now a legal analyst at Kulik Law Firm P.C. in New York City.
How did you choose your law school?
First of all, my desire to do an LL.M. in the U.S. was to get a broader view of legal practice, to get more exposure and more knowledge in the area of practice I liked best, for career development.
I chose University of Cincinnati because I wanted an academic environment where I could communicate more with professors who could provide assistance in meeting my academic needs. What I like most about UC Law is the fact that it is a small law school and the professors are always available to help the students. This community spirit is what kept me focused.
Furthermore, as an international student, cost was very important in my school choice. UC was much more affordable than many other law schools. Plus, I was awarded an honors scholarship, which paid part of my tuition.
What are you doing now? How has your LL.M. helped your career?
I work at a law firm in New York while preparing to take the New York bar in July 2017, by the grace of God. My LL.M. has already helped me fulfill one of the requirements for the New York bar as a foreign-trained attorney.
Also, with my specialty in corporate law, I know that my LL.M. will help me get a good job in a company or firm seeking to expand its scope of practice to Africa, maybe through mergers and acquisitions or general international business transactions. My competence in the operation of the harmonized business laws in Africa (OHADA) as well as U.S. corporate law and the U.S. legal system will make me a good resource person for such firms.
