This year the SMF, in partnership with the Financial Services Lawyers Association (FSLA), launched a flagship internship programme where two students were given the opportunity of a two-week rotation around five different organisations , all FSLA corporate members.

The internship programme was designed to provide the students with an insight into both the financial and legal sectors. The students spent time at the Commercial Court with Mr Justice Blair and Mr Justice Andrew Smith, at leading law firm Clifford Chance and two barristers’ chambers, Outer Temple Chambers and 3 Verulum Buildings. Financial sector experience was offered by global investment bank, Deutsche Bank.

The two students, Yvonne Dang and Hafsa Patel, completed their placements in July 2009 and were also lucky enough to be invited to the FSLA AGM and summer party, with keynote speaker Hector Sants, Chief Executive of the Financial Services Authority.

The programme was a resounding success on all sides, with the students finding the experience extremely valuable and participating organisations keen to replicate the placements in the future. The FSLA and the SMF hope to make the scheme annual and also to increase the number of students taken on.

Hafsa described the experience of meeting Mr. Justice Blair as a “privilege”, adding: “He is a fantastic person who explained a lot about law and what I should expect in the field…I’m extremely thankful for the fantastic opportunity.”

The SMF wish to thank Arthur Chikara at Outer Temple Chambers, Andrew Onslow QC at 3 Verulum Buildings, Jason Williams at Deutsche Bank, Carlos Conceicao at Clifford Chance, Mr Justice Blair and Mr Justice Andrew Smith, for providing placements. We would especially like to thank Farhaz Khan, Assistant Secretary of the FSLA and member of Outer Temple Chambers, who devised the programme.