July 2006

Second-year law student, Sergei Kotelnikov is spending this summer interning in Washington D.C. at Baker & McKenzie. Sergei is assisting a team where he is involved with factual and legal research related to the projects in Somali, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Sri Lanka. He also assists with the preparation of presentations on a variety of legal issues including Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and Mergers & Acquisitions, works in the oil and gas industry, and coordinates the work of several offices worldwide in connection with country-based anti-corruption guidelines. “I have an opportunity to learn directly from a team of world-class attorneys; this internship is a rewarding experience of understanding law and its many complexities through rigorous legal research, constant coordination with attorneys and partners at Baker & McKenzie, and contribution to the final product of many diverse projects.”

Sergei is also getting acquainted with a variety of legal regimes in various countries and is gaining an understanding of how attorneys in large firms coordinate in the preparation of extensive products. “I am extending my social networking, deepening my understanding of the formation of international law, and gaining confidence at conducting the legal research in a cost-effective manner.”

To prepare Sergei for his role at Baker & McKenzie, Sergei relied on the legal and general writing experience acquired during his first year at UM and during his undergraduate studies.  “Lexis research skills are extremely valuable as they help to contain research-related costs without reducing the quality of research. My knowledge of the Russian language is also instrumental; several transactions concerned legislation written in Russian and many clients were natives of the former Soviet Union.”

Originally from Kazakhstan, one of the former Soviet Union Republics, Sergei came to the United States when he was 16 as a winner of the Freedom Support Act competition.  Sergei attended Muskegon Community College in Muskegon, MI and graduated with an A.S.A. He then went on to graduate from Hope College in Holland, MI. with a B.A. in economics and management.  Sergei graduated Summa Cum Laude from both MCC and Hope College.

Among the courses that Sergei has particularly enjoyed at UM law school during his first year are Property with Professor Doyle, Torts with Professor Coombs and Contracts with Professor Fischl.  “These professors were very engaging in class and approachable after class.  I believe I largely owe my achievements to the talent and dedication that these and other professors put into every class session.  I am very thankful to them for sharing with me their knowledge and passion for law.”

Sergei chose UM School of Law because of the faculty, location, diversity of the student body, and breadth of the curriculum. Sergei is a member of UM Law review and moot court.