Tetyana Shamray and Inna Liniova joined the internship program at PARITET law firm on the  6^th of June, 2011, and now when the "equator" of the two-month program is over, we decided to ask them about their impressions of  the time spent in the firm, and, of course, about their plans for future.

• Why have you decided to become lawyers?

T.Sh.  Because of the sharpened sense of justice:) This was probably the inspiration of my parents and my dad’s prediction - he said "you will become either a lawyer, or a journalist – you are a passionate truth seeker!”.  And I’ve always thought if I do everything right, and there are more people like me, then together we can achieve some progress.

I.L. I always knew I would be a lawyer. My grandfather is a lawyer - and I grew up under his influence, and from my early age I knew that laws are for me.(Photo by Kateryna Nikipelova)

• Where did you study?

T.Sh.I studied at the Law Academy of Ukraine named after Yaroslav the Wise, and in my last year of studies I attended an independent group organized by The Leavitt Institute for International Development, where everyone could attend the lectures on litigations and advocacy. We were studying there for one year, and at the end we conducted trials by ourselves. There were regional, then national competitions, and based on the results of studies and competitions two students had been chosen , including me, who gained the opportunity to study for a year in the U.S. and get L.L.M. there, therefore, I studied in America for a year.

I.L.I studied at Chernivtsi National University named after Yuriy Fedkovych at the Law Department where I got a Master's Degree in the International Law, and at the same time I attended the Leavitt Institute lectures, that Tanya has mentioned. And I met Tanya there on the final of the national competition - we were the opponents: ) And while Tanya was in the U.S., she is one year older, I was on the 5th year at the University and was working as a private entrepreneur consulting a small state company.

• How did you hear about the internship program at PARITET law firm?

T.Sh. I had no experience at all, but I wanted to start at some high-ranked company with good reputation, with big clients, with many projects and busy working environment to understand how it is, and to identify my life priorities. I was looking for internship opportunities on the internet, looking through websites of different companies, subscribed to the news, and I received a notice that you had such a program.

I.L. I graduated from the University, and discovered that it’s ok to be a private entrepreneur, but one should develop, and I started looking for opportunities to move forward. Internship helps to discover new areas of activity, check if you are a good team player. When I learned from Tanya that she had already been enrolled at PARITET internship program, I was pleasantly surprised with the status and reputation of the firm, and also decided to try my hand.

• What was the selection process for the internship program?

T.Sh. While in the U.S., I applied for the program, and then I was interviewed via Skype, then I got the task to complete, then there was another online conference via Skype with a lawyer who checked my task, Yevgen Bobyk, and he asked additional questions, and, as a result, I was invited for an internship.

I.L. I sent my resume in English, and, as I was in Chernivtsi, my interview was also via Skype. I got a task in commercial law, successfully completed, and, eventually, came to Kiev to work for PARITET.

• On your opinion what knowledge and skills helped you to get enrolled (40 candidates per vacancy)?

T.Sh. Definitely, the fact that I know what I do. Most of the Firm’s Clients are international companies, the task was in English, so high level of English is really important. And the fact that during the interview with Natalya Kadya, it became clear that the firm preaches the same values as I preach.

I.L . I think these are good academic scores, good English and work experience. Moreover, I worked not only with Ukrainian Clients, but also with foreign companies supporting The Leavitt Institute program activities.

• What are the most interesting tasks you’ve already had during the internship?

T.Sh. One of the interesting cases was with a juvenile citizen of Norway, there were problems with the Immigration Office and we’ve helped to solve them and it is a great pleasure to help parents in something so important for them. Of course, it’s very fascinating to participate in the projects for the world pharmaceutical companies – I used to be not so good with contracts but now I gladly realize that there’s some improvement. I wish I could do everything perfectly especially when I get so much attention and everything is explained step-by-step.

I.L. There are a lot of interesting tasks and there’s always something new. It was rather engrossing to plunge into tax law; we had a great project with the castle – consultation about the specifics of the objects with Ukraine’s cultural heritage status. And of course, it was very interesting to work on the projects for the pharmaceutical giants.

• What are the challenges?

T.Sh.To understand how it all works in the end:) I.e. one can tell you how to play volleyball but you won’t understand before you start playing. But when you feel so much attention from the colleagues - you can cope with everything. Even when you are tired after rushing from one institution to another, you realize that it’s all just the outer world and what really matters is the firm’s friendly atmosphere. After my first day in the firm I came back home and said “I love them all!” )

I.L.It’s always scary to start doing things that you’ve never done before, there are doubts “what if I fail to do this?” because I would like to do everything perfectly. But the teamwork is really strong here and it helps to secure each other – despite of all force majeure, the work will be done. And surely I agree with Tanya about the friendly environment that is something that you can actually feel - it is in the air.

• What are your expectations about the internship?

T.Sh. As it’s supposed that after our internship there’s a chance of employment, I would like to get this chance here! To work with corporate, employment, commercial law - anyway I’m young enough to try everything and decide.

I.L. By the 6^th of August, when the internship finishes, I would like to see the improved me, with deeper knowledge, with  a clear idea of what I want and, of course, I would like to work at PARITET or at least I hope to keep in touch with the people I met here.

• Is there anyone in the firm you would like to take after professionally?

T.Sh. Of course, Borys Danevych!:)

I.L.  If only I could take after everyone!:)  If to choose three people - I would like to have Yuliya Cherkashina’s purposefulness, vitality and ability to do a lot in the short period of time. Olena Tkachenko is the first female lawyer for me who shows such professional confidence in Banking and Finance because so far I met mostly male professionals there. This fascinates me and I would like to be such a person who believes that everything is possible. And the third person is Olexander Kripak, his calm confidence, even when he sets a task and explains something for the umpteenth time, he is still patience itself. Anyway this list can be really long as everyone who works here is a unique personality.