GBLI London
Maria Melissa R. Briones, LL.M. ’26, shares highlights from the GBLI Fellows’ spring trip to London.
Ten fellows from the Global Business Law Institute (GBLI) traveled to London in March to gain insights into business law while experiencing the culture of one of the world’s leading legal and financial hubs.
The week-long program featured substantive engagements with leading practitioners across multiple areas of corporate, commercial law and legal practice in the UK. Sessions covered topics such as current developments in UK corporate law, cross-border transactions, intellectual property and privacy law.
Fellows connected with Jeff Golden, King’s Counsel (Hon.), about the practice of law in London and his professional journey from Wall Street to a Magic Circle firm and ultimately to barristers’ chambers. Two Fellows also attended a reception for the Annual Plenary Meeting of the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights, an initiative addressing global security risks in the oil, gas and mining sectors. They also enjoyed tours of museums and historical places.
The Fellows’ trip is one of many highlights of GBLI’s educational experiences and offers an unparalleled chance to meet with leading practitioners across corporate, commercial and regulatory fields while exploring the institutions, traditions and professional networks that define the world’s legal and business centers. By continuing to offer this experience, the program aims to provide upcoming cohorts with a global perspective on business law, meaningful professional connections and a deeper appreciation of the historical and cultural foundations of the world’s legal communities.
In this Q&A, GBLI Fellow Maria Melissa R. Briones (LL.M. ’26) reflects on her experience in London and the academic, professional and cultural perspectives she gained from the trip. Briones has practiced as both a barrister and solicitor in Canada and is admitted as a practitioner of foreign law in Washington state. She is currently corporate counsel for Northam Law Corporation and in-house counsel at Organika Health Products, Inc.
UW LAW: Which organizations did you visit in London, and which stood out most?
Maria Melissa R. Briones (MMRB): We visited Linklaters LLP, Bird & Bird, Expedia Group’s in-house legal team and the Inns of Court.
At Linklaters, we discussed the roles of solicitors, barristers and silks. Learning about silks — elite advocates recognized for exceptional expertise and awarded the distinction by the monarch — was fascinating.
At Bird & Bird, discussions about litigation, intellectual property and corporate commercial law closely aligned with my practice areas. At Expedia, I was especially interested in the structure and operations of a large in-house legal team, given my own experience.
However, the Inns of Court stood out most. As both a barrister and solicitor with experience in private practice and in-house roles, there was something deeply meaningful about standing in the halls where the legal profession was shaped. That experience stayed with me long after the visit.
UW Law: What was the highlight of the trip?
MMRB: The tour of the Inns of Court was the highlight. Being guided through those historic halls by Jeffrey Golden, King’s Counsel, and the Rev. Robin Griffith-Jones, master of the Temple, was extraordinary.
We stepped into the Temple Church, a place rich with history, worship and music. As someone trained in civil law in the Philippines, later in common law in Canada, and now studying at an American law school, I felt the convergence of these legal traditions at their roots. It was both exciting and grounding.
UW Law: What was your favorite cultural experience?
MMRB: It is difficult to choose just one. Seeing “The Book of Mormon” in London’s West End was unforgettable. As a fan of musicals, the experience was pure joy.
Equally memorable was a day exploring London with fellow participants — complete with a chaotic, “Mr. Bean”-style taxi ride, visits to the Natural History Museum and the Courtauld Gallery, where I saw a Van Gogh up close, and dinner in Piccadilly.
That first walk along the Thames was also special. Seeing Big Ben and the London Eye after months of anticipation made the trip feel real.
UW Law: What was your biggest takeaway?
MMRB: A quiet but profound realization: You can be surrounded by history and still only scratch the surface of understanding — and that is OK.
At this stage in my career, I have learned to observe, reflect and experience without judgment. London reinforced that mindset. The world continues moving regardless, and that perspective is both humbling and freeing.
UW Law: How will this experience influence your future goals?
MMRB: The trip sharpened my comparative understanding of common law practice in ways that will enrich my studies at the University of Washington.
Observing how Linklaters structures its global practice, how Bird & Bird approaches intellectual property and commercial litigation, and how a major in-house team like Expedia operates provided concrete reference points for my academic work and professional practice.
More broadly, the experience reinforced my commitment to showing up fully. That is the spirit I want to bring to everything ahead — whether in my work, the classroom or the community.