Clifford Chance

Clifford Chance announces that William Green is the winner of the firm's Intelligent Aid competition

Leading international law firm Clifford Chance today announces that William Green from University College London has won Clifford Chance Intelligent Aid, the firm's competition for undergraduates that was focused on microfinance.

William has won the chance to select one of the Clifford Chance Foundation's approved charities to receive a donation of £1000, a place on the firm's vacation scheme, a trip to New York with a day spent in the firm's office there and an iPad. William chose Microjustice 4 All to receive the donation. Tasmin Patel and Sophie Hill, both studying at Oxford University were awarded second and third places respectively and both will benefit from a place on the firm's vacation scheme.

Part of Clifford Chance's 2010/11 graduate recruitment activities, the firm launched Intelligent Aid in November 2010 and invited UK university students to enter. In the first round, of the competition, students were asked to submit an essay answering two questions relating to microfinance.

The top 10 applicants were then selected by Clifford Chance and invited to attend a final round judging day which took place on Monday 14th March at the firm's London offices in Canary Wharf. During the morning, they attended a presentation training course, followed by the chance to present their ideas to a panel of judges after lunch. The first, second and third placed students were selected and presented with the prizes at a drinks reception in the evening. The competition judges were:

• Husnara Begum – Editor, Lawyer2B
• Olly Donnelly – Executive Director, Shivia Microfinance UK
• Brooke Johns – Secretary and CFO, Shivia Microfinance UK
• Mark Campbell – Partner, Clifford Chance
• Maya Mehta – Senior Associate and Founder of Clifford Chance's Microfinance Group

Mark Campbell commented, "The quality of entries was very high and the standard of presentations we saw yesterday did not disappoint. The ideas we heard were varied and well thought through and have left a big impression on the judges. However, William, Tasmin and Sophie did stand out: they showed innovative thought, good research and an energetic and enthusiastic delivery."

Emma Matebalavu, graduate recruitment partner at Clifford Chance commented, "We were delighted to see the engagement and enthusiasm of the students and the creativity of their entries. The interesting ideas were presented by some very talented students from a range of Universities. We would like to congratulate the winners and thank all those who entered for their interest."

For more information about Clifford Chance's work in microfinance or broader graduate recruitment initiatives please visit www.cliffordchance.com