Kareem Abu Shawar
Aberdeen
Summary
An award-winning University of Aberdeen law student with a predicted 2:1 classification and proven practical legal skills. As a Legal Advisor for the Aberdeen Law Project, I manage complex pro bono cases; I currently lead a wrongful termination case from initial meeting to tribunal preparation, which has involved drafting legal notices and compiling a 129-page evidence bundle. This legal experience is complemented by strong commercial acumen developed through internships and virtual programs with Clifford Chance and DLA Piper. I have further demonstrated leadership and client management skills as a society Vice President and through five years of running a freelance coaching business
Overview
3
3
years of professional experience
Work History
Legal Advisor
Aberdeen Law Project
10.2023 - Current
- Provided pro bono legal advice to individuals ineligible for legal aid, focusing on housing, employment, and consumer law.
- Lead Advisor on a wrongful termination and solatium claim for a landlord's failure to meet repairing standards, applying the Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Act 2016, Housing (Scotland) Act 2006, and relevant case law.
- Drafted three legal notices advocating statutory compliance; prepared tribunal application, combining relevant correspondence and creating a 129 page evidence bundle.
- Prepared agreed statement of facts, cross examination questions, and submissions ahead of a case management discussion.
Intern
Turiim
06.2024 - 07.2024
- Learned how an electrically powered, self-climbing jumpform operates and is assembled on high-rise projects.
- Understood that each jumpform is custom-designed and fabricated to the building’s core specifications.
- Read supply/installation contracts and loan agreements, paying attention to terms including payment schedules and security over land.
- Learned that raw-material procurement is funded with bank debt secured over land and that interest rates are higher given subcontracting risk.
- Understood the commercial model, that jumpform units are rented to contractors generating returns over time, or sold for instant profit.
Intern
Afaf Marjan Advocates
12.2022 - 01.2023
- Translated Arabic to English summaries of contracts, and police documents under supervision.
- Organized evidence and understood the legal process for a wrongful‑dismissal matter in the oil & gas sector.
- Observed the UAE court process over zoom and recorded clear notes on procedure and timelines.
- Assisted with basic case follow‑ups at the police station and logged updates for the team.
Education
Bachelor of Laws - Law
University of Aberdeen
07-2027
High School Diploma -
Dubai American Academy
05-2023
Skills
- Pro - Bono work experience
- Client communication
- Legal research
- Case Management
- Westlaw Usage
- Experience with Clio
- Lexis Nexis navigation
- Native Arabic speaker
Timeline
Intern
Turiim
06.2024 - 07.2024
Legal Advisor
Aberdeen Law Project
10.2023 - Current
Intern
Afaf Marjan Advocates
12.2022 - 01.2023
High School Diploma -
Dubai American Academy
Bachelor of Laws - Law
University of Aberdeen
Extracurricular Activities / Achievements
- Commercial Analyst at Aberdeen Commercial Negotiation Society, 2025 to Current - Analyzing current affairs and applying how law firms and their clients will be affected.
- Vice President, MENA Society, 2025 to Current - Deputised for President; chaired meetings; coordinated a 4-member committee to deliver events; increased membership engagement through outreach and governance improvements.
- Video Game Coach (Freelance) • Valorant, Counter-Strike, Path of Exile, Fortnite • 2020 - 2025. Coached 15 players across titles; delivered 150+ hours of 1:1 sessions. Outcomes: guided Valorant players to Immortal (Top 15000 out of 4.3 million or top 0.88%) ; improved CS mechanics & game sense; advanced PoE fundamental understanding. Assessed baseline skill and built individualized plans using custom Oblivity aim playlists and structured VOD reviews. Fixed fundamentals like crosshair placement, decision-making, comms discipline, and addressed mindset/tilt issues. Monetized via Discord; handled client intake, scheduling, and payments; adapted teaching style to different learner needs.
- Clifford Chance Business and Human Rights Global Virtual Internship on Forage - September 2025
Completed the Business and Human Rights Job Simulation where I experienced working with Clifford Chance’s global M&A and Litigation teams on projects that concern human rights. Advised a multinational manufacturer of electric car batteries about their requirements under the California Transparency in Supply Chains Act. Hosted a Q&A session with a client to educate their in-house legal team about the implications of a new European Directive aiming to increase companies’ ESG standards. Assisted a Polish publisher to determine whether they had suitable grounds to pursue a case in the European Court of Human Rights. - Clifford Chance Structured, Asset Backed and Real Estate finance (SABRE) Global Virtual Internship on Forage - September 2025
Completed a job simulation on advising clients on a full spectrum of financial products. Responded to a client's questions on the regulatory framework of "buy-now-pay-later" loans. Informed a client of risk factors by considering current issues and macro events in the context of transactions. Prepared a pitch to demonstrate the firm's expertise and capabilities - DLA Piper Mergers and Acquisitions for AI Innovation Internship on Forage - September 2025 - Completed a job simulation involving M&A legal processes and due diligence for the Corporate M&A team at DLA Piper, focusing on high-stakes acquisitions in the health tech sector.