Sweder van Zuylen van Nyevelt
I am from Belgium but pursued my bachelor’s degree in law in the Netherlands. During my last year, I discovered intellectual property law and completed two internships in the field. After working for a few years, I chose to expand my skill set with the Master of Laws (LL.M.) at IE Law School and specialize in Intellectual Property and Technology Law. In the future, I hope to work in the fashion industry, combating counterfeiting and helping to protect brands.
"I would recommend making the most of the program and everything else the university offers, but most importantly, make everlasting friendships."
An exciting future in intellectual property within the fashion industry
Belgium-born Sweder van Zuylen van Nyevelt is passionate about intellectual property. His trajectory in the field kicked off when he traveled to the Netherlands to pursue his bachelor’s degree in European Law, which he earned from Maastricht University, one of the top educational institutions in the country.
Through the program, he learned the laws in different jurisdictions around Europe, including England, France, Germany and the Netherlands. The experience served to cement his interest in IP and an unwavering determination to create a positive change through legal practice.
As he neared the end of a successful academic experience, Sweder knew he needed to beef up his practical expertise. So he started searching for appropriate internships during the last year of his studies. He was delighted to be able to land two internship opportunities in IP in quick succession, giving him the perfect chance to fulfill his goals.
The first was a five-month stint working with a leading IP and technology lawyer whose specialty was helping entrepreneurs who were launching their own companies. There, he gained a comprehensive overview of the intricacies of trademark law, copyright law and data protection regulations.
Sweder’s second internship was with a leading luxury fashion house; he spent six months working in their online anti-counterfeiting department. “I enjoyed this experience very much as it provided me with valuable practical knowledge,” he says. More importantly, it was also where he first learned about the exciting field of brand protection.
The Intellectual Property and Technology Law specialization within the Master of Laws (LL.M.) was developed in collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). It’s the premier forum for global IP policy, information, services and cooperation. Aside from adding an extra layer of prestige to the program, this partnership ensures students get the latest insights into the field coupled with exclusive opportunities to learn from—and connect with—some of the best minds around the world.
Recognizing its value early on, Sweder jumped on the chance to join a program that carefully balances theory with practice. As he explains, “I chose IE Law School as the program emphasizes practice and enables students to specialize in intellectual property right away.” So far, he’s enjoyed learning from the expert faculty of academics and practitioners, gaining knowledge not only through the classes but also from their years-long experience at the top of their fields. “I am confident the professors are equipping us with the right tools to become great lawyers,” he says.
The future looks bright for Sweder, who hopes to turn his skills and know-how into a successful career in the fashion industry. Specifically, he hopes to focus on various areas of IP law such as brand protection and anti-counterfeiting. In the meantime, he encourages fellow students to immerse themselves fully into the IE Law School experience: “Become an officer in a student club, attend workshops and interact with your teachers, but most importantly, make everlasting friendships,” he concludes.
