IE Law School inaugurates the 2022–2023 academic year of advanced legal programs with Pablo Isla, former Executive Chairman of the Inditex Group

A new course of de IE Law School’s advanced legal programs is underway, offering legal professionals the opportunity to update their knowledge and skills to meet the demands of an ever-changing market. The opening ceremony for the 2022–2023 academic year was held on October 25, with Pablo Isla presiding. The former Executive Chairman of the Inditex Group, who has an extensive career as a world-renowned top executive, was appointed Chairman of the International Advisory Board of IE University in April 2022. 

At the event, Isla was joined by Soledad Atienza, Dean of IE Law School, who underlined the importance of legal services for companies today. Legal departments no longer operate in isolation, but are part of companies’ decision-making processes and strategic planning. In Isla’s words, “Legal services must be in constant connection with financial management, the communications department and, essentially, with all legal areas.” He also highlighted the opportunity for legal advice to drive ESG compliance within any organization, an area where there is ample room for professional growth.

There was also discussion of the requirements necessary to practice the legal profession. According to Isla, to be able to do this job, candidates need to be trained in both academic knowledge and in overall skills; in this regard, IE Law School’s revamped portfolio of open and tailor-made programs responds to the new challenges and opportunities in the legal sector.

“To be a good legal advisor, you need to have an interest in business and a capacity for leadership, in addition to knowing how to handle yourself in a less secure environment.”
Pablo Isla, Chairman of the International Advisory Board of IE University

The former Executive Chairman of the Inditex Group also believes that it’s essential to have a thorough knowledge and understanding of a company before beginning to fully exercise the role of legal services manager or advisor there. “To be a good legal advisor, you need to have an interest in business and a capacity for leadership, in addition to knowing how to handle yourself in a less secure environment,” he observed.

Finally, participants discussed the future of legal advisors and the possibilities they have to ascend to other executive positions. Isla was optimistic in this sense, since for him, “legal training is an asset and gives the mind a very clear structure.” For Atienza, the topics discussed at the event confirm “the potential that legal advisors have to influence business and hold other positions within the company.”