Having recently returned to Malta following the successful completion of his legal internship, Andrew Grech provides us with his final reflections as he looks back at what he describes as an “unforgettable experience” in Chicago.
As I reflect on these past two months at CTM Legal Group in Chicago now that my American journey has recently wrapped up, I can’t help but feel a sense of growth; both professional and personal. This internship experience has been more than just a learning opportunity – it has been an incredible journey filled with new insights, challenges and opportunities.
During my internship, I had the chance to immerse myself in the American, particularly the Illinois, legal system and witness legal practices that were both similar yet simultaneously contrasting with Maltese ones. A broadened understanding resulting from the adaptation to a new legal framework was certainly an interesting aspect of this professional journey. I also believe that the internship helped me strengthen my research, drafting and client interaction skills, particularly thanks to the feedback provided by other attorneys and paralegals who, despite their busy schedules, took time to mentor and guide me.
Living in Chicago was equally enriching on a personal level. Exploring the third largest city in the US, meeting new people and experiencing a different culture were invaluable aspects which the internship brought with it. The travel opportunities which I managed to seize while in America were also fantastic – visiting Toronto, Niagara Falls, Boston, New York City and Washington D.C. were absolute highlights which made the experience even greater.
In a nutshell, moving halfway across the world for two months certainly pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best possible way, and to anyone presented with a similar opportunity, I would definitely recommend going for it; the benefits of such a memorable experience are immense.
I cannot end this last blog post without expressing my sincere gratitude to CTM Legal Group, particularly my supervisor Joe Coli, and to David Zahra (David Zahra & Associates Advocates) for the amazing opportunity granted to me as a result of the firms’ partnership within the Alliance of Business Lawyers. The warm welcome received in Chicago together with DZA’s support throughout made this internship a truly unforgettable experience.
