Javier Fernández-Lasquetty

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself, your nationality and background?

I’m Spaniard, but I also feel very European. I’ve been working in Spain my whole life, but I’ve also visited many other countries all over the world because of my practice in IP Law, which is international by nature.

I studied Law at Complutense University a long time ago. Then, I completed some complementary studies in European Law and Intellectual Property.

Do you have any hobbies or passions? What do you do in your free time?

No, I don’t have hobbies—I don’t play golf, tennis or anything similar. I just like to read, listen to music (Classical, jazz and pop) and spend time with my family. I’m also very passionate about my work, so I spend my time living a normal life.

What is your specialization and area of knowledge? And why did you choose it?

I started practicing in the 80s—almost in the last century! At that time, IP/IT Law was a very young and promising area of law. Then, I combined my first degree with qualifications in IP Law before I started working.

I have always worked in IP/IT Law. When I started out in the 80s, they were, in some ways, separate disciplines. Thankfully, they are currently merged since it’s very difficult to work in IP without having knowledge of IT, and vice versa.

Can you tell us about your professional experience? Please share some lessons learned.

I worked for the computer industry for eight years and before I started consulting in innovation. While there, I had the opportunity to work with professionals from different disciplines—chemical engineers, software engineers and more. So I’ve always been in touch with scientists and innovators.

When I decided to move to a law firm, I joined an international law firm—Baker & McKenzie—where I was the IP/IT partner. I was in contact with colleagues from all over the world; it was a very interesting experience. I then joined ELZABURU SLP a Spanish IP/IT Boutique law firm with global connections and had a chance to travel to stay in touch with clients worldwide.

I have an intensive teaching role at IE Law School, but I’m also a mediator and arbitrator of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). I’ve participated in many missions sharing knowledge about mediation and arbitration in IP/IT, visiting Mexico, Brazil and other Latin American countries, as well as the US and some European nations too.

Recently, my most interesting experience was sharing courses and seminars online. While the COVID-19 experience was bad, it also led to some good. For instance, I participated in a WIPO seminar for Latin American students, talking about IP/IT mediation and arbitration; we had more than 5,000 students in attendance from every country in Latin America. I think that will continue in the future because online learning is here to stay.

Why did you decide to be a teacher, and why at IE Law School? What have you learned so far from the students and your experience overall?

Being a teacher was something that was not decided by me, but by a person that is in the roots of IE Law School, Jose Maria Cervelló. Jose Maria was my first boss and he invited me here to teach IP Law. I will remember that forever because this is something that has changed my life.

I’ve been here for the last 30-plus years and it has been one of the most interesting experiences in my life. It has helped me better work as a lawyer, because teaching something forces you to explain yourself properly. This is good practice for when you will be dealing with clients or the courts. It has enriched my professional career and I’m so happy to be a professor here at the IE Law School.

How do your classes help your students and advance their professional career? So what do you think are the keys to achieving success?

The keys to achieve success? Deep study and understanding the needs of your clients. This means that you must get some knowledge on the technicalities of law, and about arts and science in general, so that you give good advice.

Also, you have to stay up to date. We are currently living in a world where new scenarios are developed every day. We’ve lived through some revolutions—such as digitalization, artificial intelligence and Economy of Data—that will change the world. We are currently living through the uncertainties of the metaverse, NFTs and more, and something new will come in the following years. So you have to stay updated, keep working and studying in order to give effective advice.