In this article, Alisa-Arifa AGALI ABDOU TOURÉ (ESSEC Business School, Global Bachelor of Business Administration – Exchange student from Germany, 2024-2025) shares her professional experience as an intern at the law firm Maître Abouba Aly Maiga et Associés in Mali.
About the company
The law firm was founded in 1990 by Mr. Maître Abouba Aly Maiga. Since then, the firm has provided services in a wide range of legal fields. The areas of law offered by Maître Abouba Aly Maiga and Associes are commercial law, business law, national and international criminal law, administrative law, matrimonial law, labor law and international law. One of the reasons for the firm’s success is that it offers its clients services in various areas of law.
Logo of the law firm Abouba Aly Maiga et Associés.
Source: the company.
The firm represents not only civilians but also, for example, ministers, soldiers and large companies and deals with international relations and litigation. Maître Abouba Aly Maiga began his career in Bamako, Mali. In addition to the firm, he is the first Vice President and President Africa of the International Bar Association and Vice President of the A.E.A. (European Bar Association), he is also a former member of the Council of the Order.
My internship
My 6 months of my internship abroad at the law firm was an extremely valuable experience for me and gave me a deep insight into a law firm. During my time there, I was able to take part in many exciting and enriching tasks that not only helped me professionally, but also personally. In particular, the work in the field of corporate law and international law as well as the participation in court proceedings and hearings have shaped me a lot and broadened my view of legal practice.
My missions
During my internship at the law firm, I had a variety of tasks that gave me a deep insight into the day-to-day work of a law firm and showed me what the process in a law firm is like. My tasks included, for example, taking part in client meetings and helping lawyers to develop individual legal solutions. Another important insight was to see how professional client communication works.
Another task I was allowed to take on during my internship at the law firm was to read case files and follow legal processes, especially in the areas of corporate and international law. I regularly attended court hearings, where I was able to experience the lawyers’ argumentation strategies first-hand. Furthermore, I was able to learn the practical handling of complex cases. In addition, I prepared the team meetings and created presentations, took minutes and thus contributed to the internal communication of the law firm.
Required skills and knowledge
Certain skills and knowledge were particularly important for my internship at the Law firm Maître Abouba Aly Maiga. These included basic knowledge of international and corporate law, and a good understanding of legal structures and procedures. Another important point is strong communication skills and intercultural competence to work successfully with colleagues and clients from different backgrounds.
Language skills, especially in French, were also very helpful in order to be able to actively participate in discussions and court hearings. In addition, strategic thinking, initiative, confidentiality in dealing with sensitive information and confident use of digital tools were also important skills.
What I learned
During my internship, I was able to gain valuable insights, such as the internal processes of an international law firm, and I was able to apply my theoretical knowledge from my studies in practice. Especially the work in the area of international and corporate law helped me to better understand the processes. I was also able to improve my French language skills through daily exchanges with colleagues and clients. Overall, I learned to act more confidently in a new environment and to adapt flexibly to different professional and cultural situations.
Financial concepts related to my internship
I present below three financial concepts related to my internship: invoicing and cost management, SWOT analysis for strategic planning, and client retention through advertising and pricing.
Invoicing and Cost Management
During my internship, I was made aware of the importance of structured invoicing for a law firm’s cash flow. Accurate documentation of services rendered, and timely invoicing are crucial to ensure regular income for the law firm. Efficient cost management was a key issue at the law firm, as the firm constantly strives to control and document its expenditure, for example on personnel, technology and office infrastructure. A good cost structure has a direct impact on the profit margin and competitiveness in the market.
Strategic Planning using SWOT Analysis
Another important point is the SWOT analysis. Through the SWOT analysis, I quickly understood how financial opportunities and risks are identified and integrated into strategic planning. Aspects such as investing in technology or recognizing threats from cheaper online law firms play an important role.
Client Retention through Advertising and Pricing
Targeted advertising campaigns and appropriate prices are effective ways of retaining customers in the long term and ensuring financial stability. It was particularly important to adapt the price structure to the target groups’ willingness to pay in order to ensure financial stability.
Why should I be interested in this post?
As an exchange student ESSEC Business School student, I am interested in the position at Maître Abouba Aly Maiga et Associés because it offers a combination of international business law and strategic thinking. The internship at the law firm offers a very deep insight into the areas of legal work and business aspects such as SWOT analyses or cost management. It is particularly interesting to work on real cases, attend court hearings and carry out financial and legal analyses relevant to the firm and make decisions. The internship is ideal for students who are interested in business law or who want to work at the interface of law and business.
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Useful resources
Cabinet Abouba Aly Maiga et Associés
About the author
The article was written in August 2025 by Alisa-Arifa AGALI ABDOU TOURÉ (ESSEC Business School, Global Bachelor of Business Administration – Exchange student from Germany, 2024-2025).