From Cincinnati to the global stage: alumni share paths to legal impact after the LLM

The University of Cincinnati College of Law recently hosted students, alumni, and legal professionals at the "Life After the LLM," a virtual conversation with two accomplished international alumni who have transformed their UC Law education into dynamic, cross-border careers.

Featured Speakers:

• Gwenelyne Sakwe ’16 – Senior Research Fellow, Center for Law & Innovation, Kigali, Rwanda
• Stephen Yona Mudibo ’20 – Head of Legal Unit, Qona DT Sacco, East/Central Africa

This interactive session explored how these alumni leveraged their UC LLM degrees into influential legal roles across Africa, offering practical advice, lived experiences, and inspiration for current students and recent graduates. Attendees had the opportunity to engage directly, ask questions, and expand their professional networks. 

For many international students, pursuing an LLM in U.S. Law is a powerful step toward advancing their legal careers. Yet the path forward can be full of countless options and a series of decisions.. That’s where “Life After the LLM” came in.

Designed to support and empower recent LLM graduates, this event offered structured guidance and relatable success stories from alumni who understand the unique challenges of transitioning from U.S. legal studies to careers back home—or elsewhere in the world.

Gwenelyne Sakwe (née Achu) ’16. Senior Research Fellow | Center for Law & Innovation, Kigali, Rwanda

Gwenelyne Sakwe is a dual-qualified attorney, licensed to practice in both Nigeria and Cameroon. Currently based in Kigali, Rwanda, she serves as a Senior Research Fellow at the Center for Law and Innovation, a Pan-African think tank focused on legal strategies for sustainable development. In her role, she advises on regulatory reform, access to justice, and capacity building across the continent.

With more than nine years of legal experience spanning Africa and the United States, Sakwe has led commercial law practices, litigated complex cases, and provided strategic legal counsel in both private firms and non-governmental organizations. Her leadership roles have included serving as a Partner at Greenhills Partners Law Firm in Cameroon and as a legal consultant for Bold Entrepreneur Africa Ltd, advising startups on investor readiness and compliance.

Her earlier work includes legal research and compliance analysis roles in the U.S., including time as a Legal Analyst and Compliance Assistant at Kulik Law Firm, P.C. in New York and as a Legal Extern at Fifth Third Bank in Cincinnati, Ohio. She has also worked with ALP NG & Co and Epena Law Firm in Nigeria.

Stephen Yona Mudibo ’20. Head of Legal Unit | Qona DT Sacco Limited, Kenya

Stephen Yona Mudibo currently serves as Head of the Legal Unit at Qona DT Sacco Limited (formerly Safaricom Sacco Limited), one of the largest and most influential Savings and Credit Cooperatives in East and Central Africa.

Before earning his LL.M. at Cincinnati Law, Stephen worked with Igeria and Ngugi Advocates, a leading commercial law firm in Kenya, and served as a legal intern at UN-Habitat, where he contributed to the Office of the Administration of Justice from 2015 to 2016.

Mudibo’s legal career continues to evolve, focusing on cooperative law, financial regulation, and governance across East Africa’s rapidly growing financial services sector.

Rewatch the event at any time. Check out the video on the alumni YouTube channel.