Learn how legal professional Amedeo Marchelli gained a strategic career edge through postgraduate study and a commitment to lifelong learning.
Amedeo Marchelli has built a career in legal and compliance functions within leading American and Swiss Fortune 500 companies, overseeing EMEA regulatory and legal matters in various industries. He is a qualified lawyer with undergraduate and postgraduate legal studies from three European jurisdictions.
Business fluent in five languages, Amedeo is currently leading EMEA compliance at a global travel retail leader. He has graduated from King’s International Financial and Commercial Law certificate programme and is now an LL.M. candidate of the same programme.
We recently spoke to Amedeo about how the postgraduate law study has supported his career ambitions.
This programme gave me the legal foundation and practical understanding of topics such as corporate structure like mergers and acquisition, that I didn’t get through my undergraduate studies with other universities or practical experience in my working life.
Having this foundation of understanding meant that I could apply my knowledge daily in compliance assessments or when I had to advise my company board as just a few examples.
During my studies, students and professors would come together on a weekly basis to discuss the practical application of every topic we covered which was a unique part of the learning experience. This collaborative approach helped bridge the gap between academic theory and real-world legal practice.
I would also say I noticed an improvement in my ability to communicate complex legal issues because of the research and essays I had to do which were quite demanding and required in-depth knowledge.
This has proven especially useful when drafting internal policies or presenting legal risk assessments to senior leadership.
Having this qualification has enhanced my credibility as a legal and compliance professional. I also think having a degree from a reputable institution has been key in people’s perception of the qualification.
Overall, it has helped me in the transition from a more operational role to a strategic position with visibility at executive level.
A more tangible example of progression was my internal promotion having achieved the postgraduate qualification, with my manager noticing an improvement in my strategic thinking. It also positioned me to contribute more effectively to cross-border projects and regulatory initiatives, which are increasingly central to global compliance roles.
Invest in lifelong learning - it’s never a waste of time and it’s almost never a waste of money. For me, from a legal and business perspective, I’ve found having this advanced knowledge has given me a distinct professional edge and I know it will open doors for my career, and I would hope the same for others. Stay curious, stay current, and don’t underestimate the value of academic rigour in shaping practical judgment.
I would say the interactions and the motivation of the people you’re studying alongside. Unlike undergraduate studies when most people are in their late teens, early twenties, people studying online come from all ages and backgrounds. I was impressed by how present everyone was in chats and work groups as well as motivated by their essays.
I felt it was the first time I could get lost in lectures and, having been worried online learning would be a lot of lonely reading, found that it really wasn’t. I’ve even had coffee with a few fellow students and alumni, forming relationships that meant I didn’t miss the in-person element of study.
The sense of King’s community and shared ambition was far stronger than I expected, and it added real value to the experience.
Thanks for speaking with us Amedeo!
The online, part-time International Financial & Commercial Law LLM is designed to deepen your expertise in financial and commercial law while advancing your global career: