Xabier Mijangos
My name is Xabier Mijangos and I’m from Bilbao. Social sciences and global issues have always interested me, which is why I decided to study both law and international relations at the University of Navarra. While I was studying my bachelor’s degree, I found that commercial law was one of my great passions. So when it came to looking for a master’s program to prepare for my entrance exam to the legal profession, IE Law School’s Doble Máster en Abogacía y Procura + Asesoría Jurídica de Empresas (LL.M.) seemed like the perfect fit. Aside from law, the other great passion in my life is sports. I enjoy road cycling and playing football with my friends every week.
"The vast majority of professors are lawyers and professionals who practice in the subjects they teach, and that's something you notice as soon as you step into the classroom."
Going with the flow and enjoying learning
While studying law and international relations at the University of Navarra, Xabier found his passion for commercial law. With this in mind, he began to participate in activities related to the field and focused his studies in that direction. Xabier hopes to practice internationally, advising clients and companies from different countries on cross-border transactions, especially in corporate law and mergers and acquisitions.
Unsurprisingly, when it came to continuing his education, he chose the Doble Máster en Abogacía y Procura + Asesoría Jurídica de Empresas (LL.M.) at IE Law School, a program that allowed him to explore his fields of interest in depth. “I asked several lawyers, professors and HR staff members, and they always highlighted IE Law School as the institution where I would receive the best training possible,” he explains.
He had heard very positive opinions about the case method that is used in classes and was drawn to the opportunity to study the program in both Spanish and English. Since Xabier’s goal is to work in international contexts, enhancing his legal English was especially important to him. In fact, before starting the dual degree program, he had already spent the summer working in the United States.
Shortly after starting classes, it was clear to Xabier that he had made the right decision. In the program, he benefits from a practical and very market-oriented approach, with the help of teachers who have a proven track record in the subjects they teach. “You can immediately see their skill and how professional they are,” he says. In addition, he highlights that at IE Law School he has the opportunity to share a classroom with students from all over the world, something that will be very useful for him to acquire a more international perspective on law.
Xabier already has work experience in the legal world, having completed an internship at Deloitte Legal before coming to IE Law School. Now he is looking for a similar opportunity at another firm, and the dual master's degree has taught him that selection processes do not depend only on his abilities. Each firm looks for specific profiles and, therefore, finding what sets you apart is essential.
The Doble Máster en Abogacía y Procura + Asesoría Jurídica de Empresas (LL.M.) is an intense program in which you have to tackle different cases and wear multiple hats. Combining classes with the search for internships can be a difficult and exhausting process, but he is convinced that “things will come if you work and stay focused on what you have to do, while staying calm.” For this reason, the main advice he gives to prospective students of this program is to go with the flow and have fun. He encourages them to get the most out of their classmates, professors and learning, and that they enjoy the process of solving different cases as a team. “It's what you make of it,” he concludes.
