Meet Reem AlMaiman ’26 E.LL.M.

Reem AlMaiman ’26 E.LL.M. received her LL.B. from Prince Sultan University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and is a lawyer with a mix of government and private practice experience.

What drew you to the Executive LL.M. program at Columbia Law School, which is delivered in a hybrid format (part-time online and 12 weeks on campus over the summer)?

What drew me most was the way Columbia’s E.LL.M. program approaches learning. There is a strong focus on reflecting on the readings and discussing them through the lens of our own professional experiences. The instructors also wanted to hear from us, because the cohort itself brought such diverse and strong experiences to the classroom. That was especially important to me at this stage of my career. I wanted to learn alongside mid-career and senior professionals who had already spent years working in different areas of law and in different jurisdictions. At the same time, the hybrid format allowed me to continue working during the online portions of the program and actually apply some of what I was learning to my work.

What drew you to Columbia Law generally?

What drew me to Columbia Law was the kind of environment I knew I would be stepping into. I wanted to be in a room where my assumptions about law and policy would be challenged, not only by professors but also by my classmates. I was looking for a place that would expose me to different ways of thinking about the same legal questions. And on a more personal level, I have always noticed that Columbia alumni tend to stand out in any room. There is something about the way they think, communicate, and carry themselves professionally, and I wanted to be part of that.

What stood out to you about your experience on the Columbia Law campus during the 12-week residency? 

The residency reminded me that the best parts of law school often happen outside the classroom. The schedule is intense, but the energy kept us going. Some of my favorite moments were the simple ones—debating a complex regulatory issue over coffee, walking back from campus together, or sharing a meal. When you spend weeks studying alongside judges, corporate lawyers, and government officials from completely different jurisdictions, every casual conversation becomes a chance to learn something new, not only about law but also about different cultures. You realize how interconnected our work really is.

Did you participate in any extracurricular activities? What did you enjoy about those experiences?

There were many opportunities to be involved outside the classroom. The school had a well-structured program of extracurricular activities that allowed us to experience a lot during a relatively short residency, while also giving us the chance to get to know each other, alumni, and instructors in a different setting. One of the biggest highlights for me was the informal time spent with the cohort. I loved organizing simple gatherings where we could connect after long days of classes. Those moments gave us a chance to get to know one another beyond our professional backgrounds and created some of my favorite memories from the program. I also served alongside my classmate Veronica Finkelstein in the Law School’s Student Senate, which gave us the opportunity to represent our cohort and contribute to the broader Columbia Law community.

Columbia Law is known for its academic excellence and exceptional faculty. Can you give an example of a professor who left a lasting impression on you?

Professor Anu Bradford has an incredible ability to take complex global topics, like digital regulations among several jurisdictions, and make them practical and clear. Her classes didn’t just teach us what the rules are; she pushed us to understand their implications. I always left her class with new questions to think about, which is exactly what a great educator should inspire students to do.

Anything else you would like to add?

Columbia Law expanded both my professional perspective and my personal world. As a lawyer with a mix of government and private practice experience, an international student, and a mother, I arrived in New York hoping all these parts of my life could somehow fit together. Columbia Law, and the Executive LL.M. program, showed me that these roles don’t compete with one another; they actually make you a better, more well-rounded professional. That is an insight I will keep with me for the rest of my career.