What does it take to build an international legal career from Israel? For Adv. Naomi Bazilenko, a graduate of Ono Academic College’s law program, the path was shaped by a combination of initiative, practical experience, and access to the right opportunities at the right time.
Today, Bazilenko works in international corporate law, specializing in US securities and mergers and acquisitions. Her work involves ongoing collaboration with clients abroad and cross-border legal matters conducted largely in English. She traces the beginning of that trajectory to her years as a student.
“Studying at Ono felt comfortable and accessible,” she says. That accessibility, she adds, extended beyond logistics. “There’s a real sense that the system is built for students.”
A Defining Academic Experience
According to Bazilenko, faculty members were generally approachable and, in many cases, closely involved in students’ progress. That dynamic became particularly significant during her second year, when she was offered a position as a research assistant to Dr. Yehonatan Shiman, then her Corporate Law lecturer and now Head of the International Law Program.
What began as an academic role developed into a more formative experience. Bazilenko contributed to a research project on Delaware corporate law that was later published in the American Business Law Journal. The work exposed her to the terminology and frameworks used in international corporate law. “The experience certainly helped me get an internship at the firm where I work today as a lawyer,” she says.
Beyond the Classroom
Alongside her formal studies, Bazilenko took part in extracurricular programs, including the Model UN Club and the Social Entrepreneurship Club. The Model UN framework simulates United Nations committees, requiring participants to represent countries, debate global issues, and engage in structured discussions in English. The Social Entrepreneurship Club, meanwhile, focuses on developing initiatives in the social sector, with an emphasis on strategic, financial, and organizational planning.
“I wanted to grow professionally, so I chose opportunities that pushed me to develop my skills and challenge myself,” she says. “Through lectures, discussions, and debates on global and other issues, I broadened my perspective and connected with peers from diverse backgrounds.”
These experiences, she notes, complemented her academic work and provided additional exposure to professional environments and networks.
From Studies to Practice
Bazilenko set a clear goal early on to secure a position at a leading law firm. After completing an internship, she joined an international department, where she now works on cross-border transactions.
“Looking back,” she says, “choosing Ono is what ultimately led me exactly where I wanted to be.”
For international students, Bazilenko points to the structure of the program and the accessibility of faculty as notable factors. “The program faculty make sure you feel at home,” she says.
Her experience reflects a broader question faced by many law students: how academic choices translate into professional outcomes. In Bazilenko’s case, a combination of coursework, research experience, and extracurricular involvement appears to have played a central role in shaping her career path.
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