An inside look at IE Law School’s Mentoring Program

4 min read

It’s been a while now since our students started exploring new horizons through the second edition of our tailored Mentoring Program. This is just one of the experiential activities we’ve designed to provide career guidance and nurture professional development within our undergraduate and graduate student body. Built on the principles of continuous learning and networking, it’s specifically geared toward graduate and undergraduate learners at IE Law School.

What is the legal Mentoring Program?

IE Law School’s Mentoring Program connects participants with seasoned legal mentors from leading companies and law firms. Immersive and personalized, the program helps these students find successful career paths through hands-on practice and guidance from trusted professionals at the top of their field. 

It’s also a chance to learn from bright legal minds honed through years of on-the-job experience. By working with legal mentors from notable organizations like Amazon, Clifford Chance, EY, Pérez-Llorca, Santander and more, students gain insights directly from senior practitioners who’ve already overcome key professional challenges.   

Quantifying the impact of personalized guidance

Recently, we caught up with several IE Law School students and legal mentors who participated in the Mentoring Program, to hear what they took away from the experience:

• Mentee Silvia Gosálvez Comunión, Dual Degree in Laws & International Relations 

• Mentee Alexander Nebendahl, Master of Laws (LL.M.)

• Mentee Diego Mayén Bosch, Master of Laws (LL.M.)

• Mentor Ainhoa Busto, White & Case associate and alum of the Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) 

Let’s hear what they had to say about the program’s benefits for their professional and personal growth.

Looking back, what made the Mentoring Program so impactful?

Diego: The program created possibilities for me to work as a lawyer in Spain.

Alexander: My legal mentor introduced me to their colleagues in Germany. That was the most impactful part of the program for me, as it created new opportunities for my future.

Ainhoa: The most impactful aspect was the chance to help bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world professional skills. I enjoyed providing guidance to help my mentees navigate the transition from college to the professional world. By sharing insights into the realities of the workplace, I felt that my contributions had a deep, immediate impact.

How did the Mentoring Program ensure your personal and professional growth?

Diego: It helped me become more acquainted with the role of lawyers in merger and acquisition (M&A) deals and gave me opportunities to become one in the near future.  

Silvia: Through the program, I’ve made a lot of progress deciding what my next steps should be, both personally and in my career.

Ainhoa: Personally, the program enhanced my understanding of empathy and emotional intelligence. Professionally, it refined my communication and leadership skills.

What were your key takeaways from the Mentoring Program?

Diego: My main takeaway is that the Mentoring Program offers a great opportunity for future law practitioners to venture into the field with recognized lawyers, letting them have a taste of what awaits them in the future.  

Silvia: The Mentoring Program really reinforced my motivation and passion for law and becoming a lawyer.

Alexander: The biggest lesson I learned during this program is that networking is key.

Ainhoa: The highlight of the Mentoring Program for me was helping my mentees. However, the experience was a two-way street, as I also learned a lot from them and was able to understand better the challenges that students are currently facing. Knowing that I played a part in guiding them through their career choices was profoundly fulfilling.

Any recommendations for future mentees or legal mentors?

Diego: My recommendation is to be proactive in reaching out to each other. This can be hard as you are basically contacting a stranger; however, remember that both of you are taking part in the Mentoring Program with the intention of making connections. So don’t hesitate to reach out.

Alexander: I’d encourage both to be flexible and work individually and together to define the mentee’s needs. This will make the process more structured. That said, the Mentoring Program is a great opportunity that offers high-value potential for future career development.

Ainhoa: Students should be open and proactive in the learning process. Don’t hesitate to ask questions and seek help whenever needed, as your mentors are there to support you. Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth.

For future legal mentors, I advise patience and active listening. Understand that each mentee is at a different stage of their career, so tailor your guidance to suit their individual needs.

Both mentors and mentees should approach the Mentoring Program with an open mind and a commitment to growth. Most importantly, enjoy the process!

Fostering the future of law

IE Law School is on the frontlines of training world-class legal practitioners who will revolutionize the future of law. With immersive initiatives like the just-ended Mentoring Program, we’re ready to support innovative legal professionals who are ready to pursue justice and the rule of law.