Pilar Galeote
Expert in Strategic Alliances and Legal Negotiation, Pilar Galeote combines a broad business and teaching experience. She was a member of the Legal Counsel Department of Telefónica Intercontinental where she worked in UMTS contracts. Prior to that, Pilar worked at Clifford Chance in the Corporate Law department; she specialized in aspects related to the negotiation of the mergers and acquisitions process. She wrote her doctoral thesis on voting agreements as control instruments in corporations. Since 1999, she teaches Negotiation in different Master Programs at IE Law School, where she is the Associate Director of the Negotiation and Mediation Center and Professor of Negotiation and Corporate Law and the Director of the Cervelló Chair. Finally, Prof. Galeote received “The best Professor Award” of IE Law School.
"The most satisfaction comes from educating civil servants and human beings with a proper sense of justice, as well as the possibility of being in contact with new generations year after year."
What are the three main attributes for a successful corporate lawyer?
In my opinion, the three main attributes for a successful corporate lawyer are: the perfect understanding of corporate law in the context of the international business world, common sense, and an ethical comprehension of the Law. This is similar to the main three attributes for a successful lawyer in any other field.
In today’s changing and technology-oriented society, what are the main competences and skills growing new generations need to have to become successful negotiators and remarkable business lawyers? How has corporate law transformed in the last years?
I consider that a competent and successful lawyer must be resilient, in terms of having the capacity of learning the latest technology in that moment and its application in the business world. Also, a good knowledge of different languages is needed, as well as the capacity of understanding transnational corporate operations; including a perfect knowledge of a negotiation methodology in order to create long-life relationships and a society in which life is worth living. And, last but not least, a lifelong concern about the importance of the humanities for the world.
What is the role of corporate law – and corporate governance– in today’s society? In particular, its role in economies within today’s context?
Corporate Law and Corporate Governance are key in today’s world. The need for transparency, the requirements of compliance, and a knowledge of ethical corporate transactions make Corporate Law a key factor in the business world today. In a connected world, with transnational operations involving different jurisdictions and different laws, we need a coordinated Corporate Law which allows the economy to take off.
What has the experience of teaching ’virtually’ in these times taught you about teaching?
Two important things: first of all, I have learned that a good Professor can teach under almost any circumstances and in any environment and, secondly, I also have learned that being a good Professor means the ability to transmit knowledge and influence students. Technology is a good tool for Professors, but it will never be a substitute for learning. In my opinion, the liquid learning model, (as the one used in IE), gives the possibility to engage students and to transmit passion, empathy and assertiveness needed during the learning “miracle”.
You run the Catedra Jose María Cervelló. What moves inspires? you most about this initiative and how does it reward research and access to legal education?
One of my favourite projects is the Catedra José María Cervelló. During the academic year, we encourage students and lawyers in general to participate by writing an essay about a topic, which is rewarded with 30,000 euros; 20,000 of which go to the Catedra in order to finance fellowships for brilliant students with financial need to study a Master in IE. With the Catedra, among other projects in IE, I consider that the sense of ethics in Law, mentioned above, is present in the students’ life.
What brings you most satisfaction about being a professor and what has ‘virtual teaching’ taught you about teaching?
The most satisfaction comes from educating civil servants and human beings with a proper sense of justice, as well as the possibility of being in contact with new generations year after year.
