CTM Legal Group is proud to welcome our newest International Intern Andrew Grech from our Alliance of Business Lawyers (ABL) partner firm David Zahra & Associates.

Andrew Grech is from Malta, a European island nestled in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea. His homeland is one of the smallest countries in the world and the smallest in the European Union, spanning just seventeen miles long and nine miles wide. Despite its modest size, Malta boasts crystal blue waters, enjoys over three hundred days of sunshine annually, and is steeped in history with three UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The country also has its own unique language, Maltese, which blends influences from Arabic, Italian, French, and English. Even those who haven't visited Malta might recognize it from popular movies and TV series, as the island has served as a backdrop for productions like Game of Thrones, Gladiator, Troy, World War Z, Captain Phillips, Jurassic World Dominion, and Munich.

Andrew is a Junior Associate at David Zahra & Associates Advocates, the ABL member firm in Malta. His colleagues, David (the founding partner) and Giulio (an associate), attended the 43rd ABL Conference in Chicago hosted by CTM Legal Group in September/October 2022. Following discussions initiated by Joe Coli about CTM's internship program, Andrew embarked on a two-month internship. David Zahra & Associates Advocates also recently hosted the 46th ABL Conference in Malta in May 2024, where Andrew had the opportunity to meet lawyers from various member firms.

Andrew's legal career began in 2022 when he joined David Zahra & Associates Advocates as a Trainee Associate. He obtained his Bachelor of Laws (Honours) degree from the University of Malta that same year, followed by a Master of Advocacy from the same institution in 2024. In June 2024, he was admitted to the Maltese Bar and became a Junior Associate at David Zahra & Associates Advocates.

David Zahra & Associates Advocates, where Andrew works, is a boutique law firm based in Valletta, Malta's capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The firm's offices are housed in a 17th-century palazzo, offering legal services across various corporate and commercial law fields, including Corporate M&A, Shipping, Financial Services, Real Estate, and Intellectual Property.

Andrew arrived in Chicago three weeks ago for his internship, marking his first visit to the United States. He has been eager to immerse himself in American, particularly Chicagoan, culture. Staying in Lincoln Park, Andrew has already explored much of the city. His experiences include touring downtown, taking an architectural tour, attending a comedy show at the Chicago Theater, watching a soccer match at Soldier Field Stadium, and swimming in Lake Michigan at North Avenue Beach. He looks forward to further exploring Chicago's renowned food scene.

At CTM Legal Group, Andrew serves as a Legal Intern, gaining exposure to various practice areas. He assists and shadows other Attorneys in matters ranging from civil litigation to labor & employment law. Andrew finds his first three weeks of the internship both interesting and welcoming, appreciating the warm reception from the team. CTM Legal Group has welcomed two other international interns in the past - Julien Carrance from France and Brigid Hurl from Ireland.