14/03/2025
Since 2007, the AIJA Scholarship Programme has been empowering young legal professionals by providing financial support to attend AIJA events worldwide. These scholarships help ambitious lawyers connect with a global legal network, gain insights into their field, and contribute to AIJA’s mission of fostering excellence in the legal profession.
showcases the journeys of our scholarship recipients, highlighting the programme’s impact, the knowledge they gain, and the connections they build.
For our first feature, we are delighted to introduce Mazin Hussein Sulaiman a newly qualified Kurdish lawyer with the Kurdistan Bar Association in Iraq, who attended the AIJA Seminar "Beyond banking: When restructuring hits the finance" in Rome 2024.
Mazin’s motivation to apply stemmed from AIJA’s commitment to nurturing young legal talent. He saw the scholarship as a unique opportunity to expand his network, gain valuable insights into banking and finance in the context of ADR, and connect with leaders in the legal profession.
For Mazin, the most valuable part of the experience was the networking. The opportunity to connect with talented young lawyers from around the world, exchange ideas, and form lasting professional relationships was something he will never forget: "These connections go beyond the event—they open doors to future collaborations, friendships, and true professional progress."
He mentions that the event was transformative both professionally and personally. It bolstered his confidence in engaging with a global legal community and reinforced his passion for the areas of law he is interested in. The support from the community made a crucial impact at this early stage in his career.
One of Mazin’s favourite moments was the insightful discussion on the Credit Suisse situation. Listening to lawyers directly involved in managing global financial crises from a legal standpoint was eye-opening. He also treasured experiencing Rome’s vibrant culture alongside other professionals.
Mazin describes AIJA as a "global family of passionate, driven, and supportive lawyers, where knowledge-sharing and camaraderie go hand in hand."
Stay tuned as we spotlight the scholars making the most of this opportunity! If you're a young lawyer looking to expand your horizons, find out how to apply here: https://www.aija.org/scholarships.html