My Stren & Blan Internship

It made me realise that I could be and do much more than I imagine if I give myself consistent learning and development

Stren & Blan is a full-service commercial law firm that provides legal services to both local and multinational clients. The firm was one of the finalists for “Dispute Resolution Team of the Year” at the ESQ Nigerian Legal Awards 2022.

One of our insiders got the opportunity to learn and grow on the job during a one-month internship.

Delve into this exclusive interview Internz Insider had with a recent law graduate from the University of Nigeria.

Hello, Esther. We’re pleased to have you here at Internz Insider. Could you please tell us a little bit about yourself?

My name is Chimbo Esther Nmesoma, a recent law graduate of the University of Nigeria. I am a highly motivated individual with a strong drive for excellence. I'm an advocate for personal development and professional/career growth. I have core interests in maritime, energy, and environmental law.

Can you give us a deeper insight into what Stren & Blan Partners does and the department or role you were assigned?

Stren and Blan Partners is a full-service firm that provides legal services to diverse local and multinational corporations. During my internship, I worked rotationally with three different practice groups, which are the private equity and capital markets, intellectual property, and corporate services, where I completed a number of intellectually-challenging tasks assigned to me.

Internships at law firms are highly coveted. Could you please walk us through the application process and how you prepared for it? If there was an interview, how did it go?

I sent in my application, enclosing my CV and cover letter to the firm’s email, after which I received a response from HR approving my application and offering me a one-month internship placement at the firm. There was no interview; I was just instructed to resume at the firm at a stipulated date.

How did you feel on your first day?

Well, on my first day at the firm, I was happy and a bit nervous not knowing what to expect at the time, it being my first time interning at a corporate firm. I also felt privileged to be working for a period of one month with great minds and personalities within the firm.

Could you describe a typical day in the life of an intern at the firm, from clock-in time to close of business? How often were you expected to be physically present at the office?

At Stren & Blan, I was expected to resume at the office before 9am, and the close of business is 6pm. We usually report to the office physically on Mondays and Fridays and work from home from Tuesday to Thursday. Working in Stren & Blan was usually very busy, with completing tasks assigned to me by my supervisors and associates of the firm.

Were you assigned real-life tasks or only student-related work?

Yes, I was assigned real-life tasks. I discovered that, during internships, you grow on the job. You are there as an intern to assist the firm deliver excellently to their clients and meet up with their scheduled targets or goals. In other words, you must grow on the job.

Were there opportunities for networking and building connections? Did you interact with the lawyers or other members of staff?

Of course, I was able to interact with the associates and members of staff. The lawyers in Stren & Blan were open to guide other interns and I whenever we needed explanations or clarifications with respect to tasks assigned to us or even generally in the legal profession.

Can you share any inspiring or memorable moments from your internship?

Every moment spent in the firm was inspiring and memorable, especially when I and the other interns went out for lunch with the Managing Partner and Chief Operating Officer of the firm on the last day of the internship. We were treated to a three-course meal, interacted with them, and drew life lessons which I am currently implementing.

What was your favourite part of the internship?

Having to do a presentation on a topic of my interest, which is maritime law, as a requirement for the conclusion of my internship. Moreso, participating in the Career Day organised by the firm as part of their internship program for interns, where we were exposed to the intricacies of the legal profession and given career advice that would enable us to succeed in the legal profession.

Did you receive feedback or performance evaluations?

Yes, I received feedback on my performance from time to time as I completed the tasks assigned to me. I received a commendation from the Chief Operating Officer of the firm for always reporting to the office on time.

Was there any form of remuneration?

Yes, they provided lunch on Fridays. They paid an allowance at the end of the internship.

What was your biggest lesson or takeaway?

Interning at Stren & Blan enabled me to begin to have a wider perspective with respect to the legal practice. It made me realise that I could be and do much more than I imagine if I give myself consistent learning and development. Until you step out of your comfort zone, you might be unable to see the capacity or strength that is embedded within you.

For students considering similar opportunities, what advice or insights would you offer to help them stand out when applying?

My advice to students applying for internships in firms is that they should look out for firms that do what aligns with their career goals. One can conduct a background check of the firm by checking their website or even their LinkedIn page. It is important to have a compelling CV and tailor your cover letter to match what the firm does i.e. their core areas of expertise.

Can we connect with you on social media (Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, etc.)?

Instagram: @chimboessy-

LinkedIn: Esther Chimbo

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