Intern insights: Our Cayman interns share their stories
Our annual Summer Student Internship Programme in the Cayman Islands is a three-to four-week opportunity designed for Caymanian students or those with Caymanian status. It offers paid placements across our firm's legal, governance services, and business services teams, pairing each intern with a personal mentor, and providing them with hands-on experience in active projects.
Far more than just work experience, the programme blends professional development, community involvement and mentorship, to give participants a true insight into how a leading professional services firm operates.
Here, some of our 2025 intake tell us about their experiences at Mourant.
My Mourant Story: Kayci Rose, Intern
This summer I had the privilege of taking part in the Summer Student Internship Programme. From day one, it was clear that it was far more than a stepping stone, it was a springboard for growth, connection, and meaningful impact.
As interns, we were entrusted with substantive responsibilities immediately. We weren’t simply observing; we were contributing drafting documents, conducting research, collaborating across departments, and engaging with clients and projects that had a real-world impact. This hands-on approach gave me a deep appreciation for the pace, precision, and professionalism that define Mourant.
The support and mentorship were extraordinary. Each of us was guided by a personal mentor who generously shared their time, insight, and expertise. This culture of openness and investment made the experience both enriching and inspiring.
What stood out most was how the programme nurtured both professional and personal growth. We were encouraged to take initiative, expand our networks, and refine the skills that will shape our future careers. Beyond the office, we participated in community initiatives, knowledge-sharing sessions, and firm-wide events that strengthened our connection to the wider Mourant family. This included past interns whose career success continues to inspire.
For me, this internship was transformative. It helped me identify my strengths, deepen my understanding of the industry, and work alongside people who truly cared about my success. I left not only with skills and knowledge, but with lasting connections and a renewed drive to aim higher a sentiment I know my fellow interns share.
My Mourant Story: Sean Haye, Mourant Governance Services (Tax) Intern
Returning to Mourant for my second internship was an easy decision. My first experience left such a strong impression through the friendly culture, meaningful work, and the chance to learn about the Cayman Islands’ complex financial sector, that I knew I wanted more.
This time, working in Mourant Governance Services, I deepened my understanding of the industry while taking on real, impactful tasks. Mourant does not just give interns 'busy work'; they trust you with responsibilities that matter, and they support you every step of the way.
What stands out most is the people. The team is approachable, collaborative, and always willing to lend a hand, creating a work environment that is both productive and welcoming. Along the way, I met incredible colleagues, some of whom have become close friends.
Working at Mourant has also given me valuable insight into what it is like to work in an office setting, while expanding my knowledge of the financial sector’s inner workings. While I am still exploring my future career path, this experience has shown me what it is really like to work in finance, and it is something I would consider pursuing.
If you are curious about the finance sector and want an internship that challenges you, supports you, and gives you real world experience, Mourant is the place to be. For me, it was more than just an internship, it was a reason to come back.
Sean's mentor, Louise Somers, commented:
"Sean has been an exceptional intern during his second summer with our team, consistently demonstrating a positive attitude and strong work ethic that makes him a valuable resource across multiple departments. He approaches every task with enthusiasm and attention to detail, whether it's organising files and documents or tackling more complex data reconciliation work for both the tax reporting and AML officer teams.
"His communication skills are particularly noteworthy, and he proactively keeps the team informed about his schedule, isn't hesitant to ask clarifying questions, and actively seeks out opportunities to assist colleagues.
"Over the course of his internship, I've observed significant growth in his analytical capabilities and confidence in handling increasingly complex assignments. Sean's professional demeanour, combined with his eagerness to learn and contribute, has made him an asset to our organisation and demonstrates strong potential for future success."
My Mourant Story: Lissette Williams-Fernandez, Scholarship Recipient, Intern, Articled Clerk
My journey with Mourant began in 2021, when I joined the Summer Student Internship Programme as a nervous university student stepping into the professional world for the first time. I thought it would be a short experience, a line on my CV. I couldn’t have imagined that it would set the course for my career.
From the moment I walked through the door, the team made me feel like I belonged. They didn’t just assign me tasks they took the time to ask about my goals, my interests, and my aspirations as a young Caymanian starting out in the legal field. They offered guidance that went far beyond the summer, even helping me choose the right courses to shape my future.
That internship also led to something life-changing, the Chantal Whittaker Memorial Scholarship. The Chantal Whittaker Memorial Scholarship was established to honour the memory of our beloved colleague. Chantal was a star within Mourant and her personal commitment to mentoring, fostering community spirit and helping young people to develop and grow left a legacy which the firm strives to continue. The scholarship programme provides financial assistance towards the cost of study for Caymanian students who intend to qualify, or who are appropriately qualified and have been accepted into an accredited institution to pursue a career in law.
The programme not only recognised my potential but lifted the financial pressure of my university years, giving me the freedom to focus entirely on excelling in my studies.
This summer, I came back to Mourant in a new role as a paralegal. For the first time, I experienced the Summer Student Internship Programme from the other side: leading group discussions, giving presentations, reviewing work, and witnessing first-hand the dedication the firm puts into making sure every student left with real-world skills and confidence.
Now, I’m proud to share that I’ve been offered a position as an Articled Clerk starting in September 2025. While it feels like the end of one chapter, it’s really the beginning of another. What started as a single summer opportunity has grown into a career, and I will always be grateful to Mourant for their mentorship, encouragement, and belief in me every step of the way.
Lissette's mentor, Ramesh Maharaj, said:
"From her first summer with us to her upcoming role as an Articled Clerk, Lizzy has exhibited curiosity, humour, dedication and hard work. Her journey reflects the very best of our internship programme building skills, confidence, and future leaders in law."
My Mourant Story: Cathy Myles, Scholarship Recipient and Intern
My name is Cathy Myles, a 19-year-old Caymanian law student who is currently studying overseas at the University of Southampton. I am looking forward to starting my second year in the fall and I am a proud Mourant scholarship recipient.
I learned about the firm through a work experience placement during high school. After completing that I was encouraged to apply for the summer internship and I have never looked back. I have completed the internship twice, and on both occasions, I was able to spend time in the legal and Financial and Corporate department.
Key responsibilities during my internship included: completing written assignments such as essays, skeleton arguments, and internal memos, attending curated workshops by specialists within the firm, and public speaking practice. The internship is thoughtfully designed to target skill building along with technical legal duties in a way that benefits seasoned and novice interns equally. It is intentionally designed to provide insight into a variety of jobs within the field as well as highlighting the flexibility of a law degree and the variety of ways to become a qualified lawyer. It has something for everyone!
Highlights of my internship include the court visit where I had the chance to observe real time court proceedings and meet with judges. In addition, I participated in the elevator pitch exercise, the debates, and the knowledge lawyer task, which required legal research and honed my legal analysis ability. Despite their demanding schedules Mourant personnel took the time out to give us feedback on how to improve.
These experiences have been a big part of my career journey so far and have been transformative both professionally and personally. I can confidently say the time I spent there has strengthened my passion for law and renewed my commitment. I am extremely grateful for their financial contributions to my education as well as their belief in my potential and encouragement through the scholarship.
As a Mourant scholar, I encourage future interns to embrace the opportunity and make the most of the short time they have. I recommend asking professionals around them questions; never going to a meeting unequipped without a notebook and pen; and being mindful that interns are not expected to come as experts. However, being proactive, engaging, and showing initiative goes a long way in helping you stand out.
The exposure and experiences have truly been invaluable for me, the 2024 Summer Student Internship Program particularly helped create a strong baseline of legal understanding ahead of my studies. For example, one of the internship exercises mirrored my ‘Legal Skills’ course assignment and my time at Mourant already familiarised me with skeleton arguments and oral submissions beforehand. This allowed me to receive the highest mark in the class for that assignment. I'm excited to see how this summer's experiences will contribute to my learning next year and I look forward to a long-lasting partnership with Mourant in the future.
