Mentorship across borders

For three weeks, Denilson Alafo, a lawyer  from Mozambique, has been based at DLA Piper’s Stockholm office for an internship with the IPT group. Behind this opportunity lies DLA Piper’s Global Scholarship Programme – which includes mentorship from Astrid Bohlin.

- I decided to apply to DLA Piper's Global Scholarships Programme because I believed that it would be very advantageous to expand my knowledge, explore, acquire and develop useful skills to the legal field while putting into practice my theoretical insights, says Denilson Alafo.

Each year, up to 50 students are selected for the Global Scholarships Programme – an initiative that offers fully funded education, mentorship and career support to promising law students from regions including Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Pacific. The aim is to strengthen the rule of law by equipping young lawyers with the tools to make a difference in their communities – regardless of the career path they choose.

Mentorship is a key part of the two-year programme. In Sweden, Astrid Bohlin, a lawyer at DLA Piper in Stockholm, has served as a mentor to Denilson Alafo from Mozambique over the past year. Denilson recently completed his Bachelor of Laws at Universidade Eduardo Mondlane in Maputo and is now preparing to begin a Master’s degree. During his three-week internship with our IPT group at the Stockholm office, he has had the opportunity to gain insight into international commercial law and connect with lawyers across various practice areas.

- From the day I arrived, I had incredible experiences in Sweden. I had the opportunity to meet my mentor up close. We had dinner and she showed me around the city and the office, so I could arrive the next day on time. 

- One of the most interesting things about DLA Piper as a global law firm is that no matter where you are, you will always be connected. Wherever you go, you will definitely find DLA Piper, says Denilson. My area of greatest interest is Intellectual Property Law, so I was in the right group during my stay! I had the opportunity to meet excellent professionals working in various fields, including technology. I was able to learn about issues related to artificial intelligence, something completely new to me, as my country is still developing legislation to regulate these aspects.

- It has been incredibly rewarding to witness Denilson’s journey over the past year. From the outset, he demonstrated strong motivation and a genuine eagerness to learn. It’s been great to see Denilson take on new challenges and develop new skills, as well as how he’s adjusted to working in a new environment. It’s gratifying to know that I’ve played a small part in supporting his development and achievements, says Astrid Bohlin.

Despite having been in Sweden for just over two weeks, Denilson has already made the most of his time – including representing DLA Piper in the Swedish Lawyers’ Football Championship (Advokat-SM) and running the Stockholm Half Marathon during his first weekend.

- This is a new learning experience for me, being part of a firm that prioritizes physical health and professionalism, Denilson explains. It's very interesting to see how the firm manages to combine professionalism with various other activities. My mentor always asked me if I intended to participate in events, even before I came here. My response has always been ''You don't need to worry about that, just sign me up and I'll participate''. This is because the idea has always been to make the most of my time here. My first race was in 2023, a 10 km run in Mozambique. This was my second time and my first time running a 21 km half marathon, it was a great way to get to know the city while participating in the half marathon and enjoying the warmth of Swedes. I plan to compete in both events next year and win the soccer tournament with the team!

Through regular contact during the first year of the programme, Astrid and Denilson, together with the senior sponsor, Brazilian tax litigation partner Renato Lopes da Rocha from the São Paulo office, have discussed a variety of topics, such as legal questions, cultural and legal differences between their countries, career paths and international work – support that is a central part of the scholarship programme.

- I’ve always enjoyed learning about other cultures and different perspectives, and the Global Scholarships Programme seemed like a unique way to do that while also supporting someone’s growth. Being a mentor lets me share some of my own experiences, but I also learn a lot from my mentee and from Renato, our senior sponsor in Brazil. It really is a two-way experience; helping someone new while broadening my own perspective at the same time, says Astrid.

Although Astrid took on the role of mentor, the experience has been equally rewarding for her. Supporting Denilson during his internship has given her new insights into her own professional journey and the value of mentorship.

- I’ve also learned new things from Denilson. It’s definitely a two-way exchange. It also helps me understand what I want from my mentors at work. And also to see potential in my own work and life that I might not have experienced otherwise. I am also very grateful for the interest and friendliness that many of my DLA Piper colleagues at the office have shown towards Denilson, and my feeling is that Denilson has been welcomed with open arms. 

Denilson, in turn, highlights Astrid’s dedication and openness as key to making his time at the firm both meaningful and inspiring, and a great support during his journey.

- Astrid Bohlin is a role model as a mentor, not only professionally but also for her dedication to fulfilling her role and making me feel comfortable here. Despite this being her first time participating in the program as a mentor, she did very well and I can only thank her for that and congratulate her! During this time, thanks to her, I had the opportunity to meet with several people from inside and outside the firm, including her mother, who is an administrative court judge, and I was able to visit the court and learn about how they work, says Denilson.

Denilson also highlights other key persons who have helped him during the internship journey:

- I must also thank the other key member of our team, my senior sponsor from Brazil, Renato Rocha, who contributed greatly to this journey. Having such an incredible mentor made my stay in Sweden start off as smoothly as possible. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank  Emma Alsaker and Emelie Baeckström, who helped make this internship possible, ensuring that all the conditions were in place for my arrival at the office. I also thank all the members of the IPT Group for their openness, kindness and care from day one, and their patience in teaching me about things that were new to me.
 

Denilson, how has the programme influenced your perspective on law and your future career?

- The programme helped me create a diverse and multicultural platform to network and build longstanding relationships. Now, more than ever, I have a very open perspective on law and my future career, intending to work internationally with the various DLA Piper offices around the world.

What are you most looking forward to in your upcoming Master’s studies?

- Definitely, the way I will intersect Intellectual Property Law and Technology Law. I wrote my dissertation on Copyright in the Digital Context and now I realize I can't go deeper without first mastering Technology Law. In other words, to better understand and resolve issues related to Intellectual Property Law, I must better understand how Technology Law works and then merge it.

What experiences will you take back with you to Mozambique – both professionally and personally?

- ''A frog in a well doesn't know the ocean'' – This proverb says it all. By coming here, I was able to broaden my perspectives on law and our work as lawyers. I can look at my country from a completely different perspective and perhaps see things I couldn't see before. I will certainly return as a completely different person, ready to, as far as possible, share my experience and contribute to the development of my society and the rule of law.

Astrid, what advice would you give to others who are considering getting involved in similar initiatives?

- I would encourage anyone who is considering becoming a mentor to take the leap. While it does require a thoughtful commitment, the rewards far outweigh the investment. Not only do you get to make a meaningful difference in someone else’s life, but you also grow personally and professionally. You don’t need to have all the answers, it’s more about being supportive. My advice would be to approach mentoring with an open mind and a willingness to learn, you might end up learning as much as the person you’re mentoring.

- I want to thank everyone at DLA Piper in Sweden for their warm welcome, I felt at home and will definitely be back again. Even though I only speak English, I never felt left out. This firm is the embodiment of inclusion and DLA Piper's values. Last but not least, I would like to thank the DLA Piper's Global Scholarship Programme, Mthusi Morebodi and the RB Team for making this possible, Denilson ends the interview.