Samanta Wenda Uszynska, Real Estate Lawyer, Greenberg Traurig LLP

Since graduating from UCL Laws, Samanta Wenda Uszynska (LLM Corporate Law, 2020) has been working as a real estate and real estate finance lawyer at Greenberg Traurig LLP, where she focuses her practice on real estate transactions and corporate matters. She assists foreign and domestic investors on commercial real estate sales and acquisitions, as well as financing and refinancing of acquisitions of real properties. 

What motivated you to study the LLM Corporate Law at UCL Laws?  

I chose to pursue a specialism in Corporate Law as it suited many of my professional interests. The specialism is a perfect choice for a lawyer working on international corporate real estate transactions on a daily basis. 

I wanted to study at UCL Laws because I was humbled by the fact that I can learn from some of the brightest and most dedicated legal minds – especially in the field of international finance. Additionally, the content of the LLM programme was well thought out and helped me gain an advanced knowledge in my chosen field.

What is your fondest memory of your time at UCL Laws?

I would not be where I am now were it not for the guidance of my UCL lecturers and mentors. Their commitment and hard work during the lectures and tutorials are definitely the highlights of the LLM programme. I had the privilege writing my Independent Research Essay under the supervision of Professor Graham Penn, whose lectures at UCL sparked my interest on my research topic in the first place. 

The LLM programme is tailor-made to equip students with academic skills which can be applied in the workplace. Although completing the LLM was a very intense journey at times, it was a truly rewarding experience.  

What have you gone on to do since graduating?

After completing my studies at UCL, I made the decision to specialise in financial law – specifically, in real estate finance. Since graduating, I’ve been working as a real estate and real estate finance lawyer at Greenberg Traurig LLP. My studies at UCL Laws developed my interest in the banking side of real estate transactions and enhanced my transition to real estate finance.

What advice would you give to prospective or current students at UCL? 

Professionally, an LLM degree from UCL Laws can open many doors and prepare you for a variety of careers. My best advice to prospective or current students would be to take advantage of the wealth of knowledge around you, and the range of opportunities offered by UCL – including the incredible support from the academic community, who are really committed mentors.