Clifford Chance

Clifford Chance announces that Stephanie Eiffiom is the winner of the firm's Intelligent Aid competition

International law firm Clifford Chance today announces that Stephanie Effiom from Kings College London has won Clifford Chance Intelligent Aid, the firm's competition for undergraduates.

Stephanie has nominated development charity Build Africa to receive £1,000 from the Clifford Chance Foundation, and has won a place on the firm's vacation scheme; a trip to Casablanca, where Clifford Chance recently opened an office; and an iPad. Juliana Apopo of the London School of Economics and Catherine Laitner of The University of Exeter were awarded second and third places respectively. Juliana also wins an iPad2 and both will benefit from a place on the firm's vacation scheme.

Part of Clifford Chance's 2011/12 graduate recruitment activities, the firm launched Intelligent Aid in November 2011 and invited UK university students to enter. In the first round, of the competition, students were asked to submit an essay looking at whether trade or aid offer the best solution for Africa, and the role lawyers could play in helping more people in Africa benefit from economic transformation.

The top 10 applicants were then selected by Clifford Chance and invited to attend a final round judging day which took place on Monday 12th March at the firm's London offices in Canary Wharf. Following a presentation training course in the morning, the finalists had the chance to present their ideas to a panel of judges after lunch and the winners were selected and presented with the prizes at a drinks reception in the evening. The competition judges were:

• Geeta Khehar - Partner and member of the Africa Group, Clifford Chance
• Titus Edjua - Senior Associate and member of the Africa, Clifford Chance
• Alexander McLean - Founder and Director General, African Prisons Project.
• Henry Obi - Chief Operating Officer, Helios Investment Partners
• Joel Kibazo - Chief Executive Officer, JK Associates
• Christian Metcalfe - Editor, Lawyer2B

Geeta Khehar commented, "We were hugely impressed with the quality of the entries and the presentations this year. After careful consideration of each presentation and responses in the Q&A sessions, we felt that Stephanie, Juliana and Catherine did a particularly good job of combining creative ideas with clear thinking, and bringing practical insights to bear on the challenge we set."

Nick Swinburne, graduate recruitment partner at Clifford Chance commented, "The ideas and the energy we saw today particularly impressed us. Intelligent Aid is becoming a fixture at Clifford Chance and we are delighted to have received so many entries from talented students at universities right across the UK. We look forward to spending time with the winners shortly, and would like to thank all those who took the time to enter this year."

Clifford Chance has extensive experience of working in Africa, both commercially and in our pro bono work, which has seen the Clifford Chance Foundation donate more than £500,000 to Africa-based projects and charities in the past two years. The firm recently opened an office in Casablanca in response to client demand, which will act as a hub for clients across the wider North African and Sub Saharan Francophone region as part of Clifford Chance's broader Africa offering.

For more information about the firm's graduate recruitment opportunities or the firm's work in Africa please visit our website.