Beyond the Bar – Talent & Careers invited In-House counsels to share their expertise with students

IE Vice Dean for Academic Innovation, Carmen Perez-Llorca, served as the moderator during this event, interviewing 7 in-house counsels from companies representing various sectors.

Students pursuing a career in law often have a set idea that they are going to work in a law firm. The reality is that there are other options for law students. In-house lawyers, for instance.

In-house lawyers were the focus of the panel; the session gave students an overview of this professional outing, their day-to-day tasks, and the challenges they face.

“You participate in the decision-making process. You work hand in hand with the decision makers.”
Miguel Hernandez, Sr. Legal Manager LATAM at Repsol

They talked about the role of an in-house counsel in different sectors, offering insights into how the responsibilities of the same position vary depending on the industry.

“External lawyers advise, in-house lawyers give the green light.” Roberto García -Soto, Legal Associate Director at GSK

Referring to how her day looks like, Gisela Subira, General Secretary at Allianz, said, “it’s important to be updated on what is happening in the market. My days differ every day, it may start with a data privacy breach and later it changes to other topics.”

Furthermore, they explored the essential skills and competencies required for an in-house lawyer, as well as discussed career progression and methods for evaluating performance in the role. As Roberto García -Soto, Legal Associate Director at GSK, commented, being an effective communicator is one of the key skills in the role.

To conclude the event, Talent & Careers team Renata Karvelis and Silvia Martinez hosted a networking session.

Guests and students engaged with one another, sharing experiences, and exchanging insights on the panel discussion.