Career tips for International Business Law

3 min read

IE University’s Master of Laws (LL.M.) goes above and beyond the border of just one legal system. Opening the door to international careers, the program gives students the foundation to tackle complex challenges, as well as the unique opportunity to specialize in International Business Law, International Dispute Resolution, or Intellectual Property and Technology Law.

This international program sets graduates apart from the rest. And as adjunct professor Johanna Jacobsson can attest, international business law is a large and rapidly growing field of study.

Law beyond borders

According to the Finnish lawyer, academic and consultant, the Master of Laws (LL.M.) places a particular emphasis on cross-border business jurisdiction, an incredibly important detail in today’s global world. “Students will engage with the typical business law courses but always with an international dimension,” said Professor Jacobsson, who teaches International Law and EU policy at IE Law School.

With key focus areas in innovation and sustainability, some of her concentrations include preferential trade agreements, services and digital trade, migration, mobility, and technology.

I’m passionate about the effects of technology on global business, education and employment, particularly in the area of professional services.

Johanna’s passions have also led her to work for private practices and think tanks.

Based on her rich background, she stresses the importance of students gaining a global perspective paired with standard business law courses. She has worked with countless students who go on to build rewarding careers—from managing operations for multinational companies or international law firms to working for governments engaged with business transactions.

A world of opportunity

When it comes to offering advice, Johanna wants students to understand the range of careers that comes with studying international business law. There’s a spectrum of different roles and responsibilities to be found within this sector, and students should take advantage of the opportunities at hand.

Some even collaborate with governments, international organizations or global law firms focusing on trade and investment.

As students studying the Master of Laws (LL.M.) often already have prior experience working in multinational environments, Johanna takes the time to reinforce how the law sector has become inherently “international” in today’s multinational world. To celebrate the endless possibilities of combining law with other industries, she applauds IE University for developing such a diverse and multifaceted program.

Our students are well aware that their practice will not be limited to one jurisdiction, but they will be doing it in a global context from day one when they enter the practice of law.

Beyond the classroom

In addition to being a lawyer and academic professor, Johana also serves on the Executive Council of the Society of International Economic Law (SIEL) and the Court of Justice of the European Union as a law clerk. She urges students to keep an open mind throughout the Master of Laws (LL.M.) program, truly allowing them to gain valuable experience from other domains to incorporate into their law careers.

Try to get experience from different sectors, from different practice areas, from different types of organizations. These will allow you to make a decision for your own professional path and to understand your strengths and what you truly enjoy. That’s what is most important.