MLF Alumni Updates TT 2026

MLF Cohort 2025-26

The MLF Alumni event in London generously hosted at the offices of Clifford Chance LLP was one of those occasions that reminded us how special the MLF community truly is. It was a wonderful opportunity for current students to step away from the demands of Oxford life for an evening and connect with alumni from across different generations of the programme.

What made the event particularly meaningful was hearing the stories of those who once sat where we sit today. Alumni shared their professional journeys, reflections, challenges, and successes with remarkable openness and generosity. It was inspiring to see all that they have accomplished since graduating and reassuring to hear how the MLF helped shape their paths. Their experiences gave us not only practical insights, but also confidence and excitement about the opportunities that may lie ahead.

The evening was also a chance to strengthen the sense of community that makes the MLF so unique. Bringing together current students, alumni, faculty leadership, and members of the administrative team created a warm and welcoming atmosphere where conversations flowed easily and meaningful connections were formed. We left the event feeling inspired, supported, and grateful to be part of a network that extends far beyond our year in Oxford

Ivan Mendoza Martinez (MLF Cohort 2025-26)

Joshua Chizoma awarded first place creative writing award

Congratulations to MLF 2025-26 student, Joshua Chizoma, Wadham College,  who was awarded First Place in the 2026 Oxford–BNU Creative Writing Award: Oxford-BNU Creative Writing Award 2026 | TORCH | The Oxford Research Centre in the Humanities. 

The award, organised by the Oxford Prospects and Global Development Institute (OPGDI) and supported by TORCH, celebrates outstanding original short fiction and Oxford’s contribution to international and cross-cultural literary exchange. 

This year's competition attracted an exceptional range of entries, with judges praising the shortlisted works for their creativity, originality, technical skill, and emotional depth. 

Joshua received his award at a ceremony held at the Schwarzman Centre on 14 May 2026. The chair of the judging panel, Elleke Boehmer (Professor of World Literature in English, University of Oxford; Executive Director of the Oxford Centre for Life-Writing at Wolfson College), described Chizoma’s story as beautifully lifted by the energy and pace of the dialogue and the exchanges between the characters. Professor Wes Williams, (Professor of French Literature, University of Oxford; and Fellow of at St Edmund Hall; former Director of TORCH (2020-2023), who announced the winner, described the story as hugely engaged and engaging, a rich concoction of different styles, form and voices, with a compelling opening line, tracing a dizzying, delightful, sometimes dark and difficult journey, through to a rapturous closing paragraph. In closing, he said, "This is a terrific story. I also believe that there will be miracles to come from this writer." "

We are delighted to celebrate this remarkable achievement and congratulate Joshua on this well-deserved recognition.

Katelyn Ewart - MLF Alumni 2022-23

I work as a Senior Associate (Australian qualified) in the Restructuring and Insolvency group at Clifford Chance, in the London office. Next year I will have been admitted to practice law in Australia for 10 years, with my MLF year falling squarely in the middle of that timeline. Prior to the MLF I worked at a national firm in Australia in banking and finance, working on local deals. 

Just before Trinity term in my MLF year I reconsidered my plan to move back home, approached a recruiter about potential London based roles, and floated the idea of changing practice areas. I had been thoroughly enjoying corporate insolvency law with Professor Kristin van Zwieten and thought that the economic outlook suggested there may be some demand for restructuring lawyers on the horizon. I was very fortunate, Clifford Chance were looking to laterally recruit a new associate to the team. Being a current MLF student and reading insolvency law, together with my years of practice in a related area, secured me an initial interview. 

In a wonderful twist of fate, the Clifford Chance team's preferred counsel turned out to be Felicity Toube KC, who had shared her expertise at our seminars in Michaelmas and Hilary terms. A second skills test interview fell right in my exam study period and despite not having worked in the practice area or jurisdiction, I was able to sufficiently impress the partners. And finally, my practice group head asked Felicity for a reference based on my seminar participation. That I was able to land the role at Clifford Chance is a testament to the MLF. The degree is highly regarded by London firms and opens doors, and the substantive teaching equips you for roles in practice through its rigour and depth. 

 The MLF gave me not only a new professional chapter, but also expanded my world in a myriad of ways. I was able to formulate ideas and test them with remarkable legal minds, to spend time with people from diverse backgrounds (we had 24 countries represented in my year), and make friends with non-lawyers through my college (which is definitely good for us). To current and future MLFs my advice would be to use your time at Oxford to expand your world; enjoy the formal dinners at your classmates' colleges, go punting, play croquet, spend time in your college common room, learn from your peers and stay in touch with the remarkable alumni community. 

Katelyn Ewart (MLF Cohort 2022-23)

You may be aware that we have a dedicated MLF LinkedIn Group, with over 400 members.

The Group is named Oxford MSc in Law and Finance and the owner is MLF Administration.

MLF Alumni, MLF faculty and current MLF students are all invited to join, to do so, please send a request via LinkedIn or send an email to oxlfevents@law.ox.ac.uk.

Join us on LinkedIn

We would be delighted to hear from you if you are interested in becoming involved with the MLF, from volunteering and being a student mentor, to sending us a written contribution for the MLF alumni newsletter, or attending events and discussion panels.

Please contact the MLF team at oxlfevents@law.ox.ac.uk for more details.

Please see earlier editions of the MLF ebulletin communication online.