Ghizlane Laaouej
I was born in Morocco, but have spent most of my life in Spain. For as long as I can remember, I've been incredibly passionate about law—and now I'm proud to say that I'm in my final year as a law student at IE University. I enjoy spending my time volunteering for organizations such as the Hay Festival and the Spanish Red Cross.
"When IE University offers an opportunity, don’t think twice—just take it!"
Seizing the moment with real-world experiences
Ghizlane Laaouej was driven to study at IE University for many reasons, but what stood out to her the most from the start were the multiple-perspective study plans and the immense diversity. Now in her final year as a law student, she’s been able to gain invaluable knowledge and hands-on practice in presentation and writing, as well as professional and technological skills.
As the Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) uses a comparative approach, Ghizlane has learned to look at law from a global perspective. She also noted that because the program is taught in English, she has the chance to perfect her legal language skills while working with her diverse cohort to analyze things such as the difference in the criminal codes of countries such as France, Germany and Turkey. These factors have solidified her decision to attend IE University, and she believes will also be the differentiating factor for her in her future legal career.
Interested in putting her newly gained skills to the test in different environments, Ghizlane has completed numerous internships and worked in IE University’s Legal Clinic Lab. At Allen & Overy, a leading international law firm with subsidiaries around the globe, she worked as the first pro bono intern, where she spent part of her time in the Banking and Finance department and the rest working with the Pro Bono Committee and Fundación Pro Bono España. While there, she impacted lives by providing free legal assistance to vulnerable people who could not afford lawyers.
In 2021, she was a legal intern at Uría Menéndez, which she found to be incredibly educational and enriching for her as a future lawyer. Her goal was to truly understand what it felt like to practice law, and these opportunities served as unforgettable firsthand experiences. Not only did her hard and soft skills improve, but she also had the chance to sharpen up her legal knowledge of contract, property and labor laws, making it easier for her to interact with diverse clients and navigate the law.
Ghizlane shows no signs of slowing down any time soon. This summer she will be doing a two-month internship at CSS Abogados, a top Spanish law firm. While there, she seeks to improve herself by learning to confidently deal with competition, consumer, and financial cases—an opportunity she is really excited about.
Beyond her opportunities this summer, her future is looking bright. After she finishes her undergraduate studies, she wants to continue her pursuit of knowledge by taking a master’s program that focuses on legal practice and international advocacy. Ghizlane wants to level up her law practice to one that cuts across jurisdictional borders and offers a global perspective on advocacy.
When asked what advice she would give anyone considering studying law at IE University, she said, “When IE University offers an opportunity, don’t think twice—just take it!” She is big on seizing the moment and participating in everything you can, from events and labs to seminars and even sports. She advises other students to completely enjoy and immerse themselves in the experience, which includes hanging out with friends and exploring Spain but still taking care of themselves. Because like she said, after all is said and done, these are the memories that will bring you joy.