Juan Sanz Magallón

What started as a weekly internship update on an Excel spreadsheet from IE Talent & Careers became a reality for Juan Sanz Magallón. Already aware of CECA Magán Abogados due to his interest in the legal sector, Juan saw the internship posting as a perfect match for his Dual Degree in Business Administration and Laws. He considered CECA, one of Spain’s top mid-size law firms, an ideal fit, knowing it would offer a more hands-on experience compared to larger firms while still exposing him to significant operations.

The part-time position appealed to Juan, as it allowed him to maintain his class schedule and fortunately, his colleagues were flexible and accommodating. Reflecting on the recruitment process, Juan found it quick and effective. After submitting his application, which included his CV, motivational letter and preferred departments, he received a phone call to arrange interviews. The first round was a casual conversation with a Human Resources official, focusing on his skills, interests and future goals rather than technical details. The second interview, with two lawyers from the corporate law department, was also conversational but more focused on assessing whether Juan would be a good fit for the team. “Ultimately, they wanted to know what I hoped to gain from this internship,” Juan recalls.

“I got to see things ranging from M&A deals to governance law and regulatory aspects of corporate law. This has been a very enriching process.”

During his internship, Juan was exposed to every aspect of corporate law, from mergers and acquisitions to government compliance and regulatory matters. “Being able to work directly with clients was very fulfilling, and it helped me develop a sense of responsibility towards my work,” he explains. Juan’s role involved providing general support to the team, including drafting documents, carrying out research and managing processes with notary publics and registries, though he occasionally handled his own client projects.

A key part of his experience was supporting teams in preparing due diligence documents for M&A operations, where he saw his contributions applied to real-life situations. He also appreciated the chance to work across various industries, including renewable energy, logistics, real estate and hospitality.

Juan credits his time at IE University for helping him secure the role, particularly the coursework that helped him gain the skills and knowledge that CECA values and the CV preparation process with IE Talent & Careers, which he ultimately found extremely rewarding. He also credits IE Talent & Careers for sharing the weekly Excel spreadsheet, as none of this would have happened without it. He encourages fellow students interested in interning at CECA to research the firm’s culture and approach, prepare thoroughly for interviews, but also to stay true to themselves. “Knowing the type of law you want to pursue will make the entire experience smoother, not just for you but for the whole firm,” he advises.

Among fellow law students aspiring to intern at CECA, Juan stresses the importance of examining the firm’s organizational structure. Some professionals might prefer to work at larger law firms, according to Juan. As far as the interview goes, from his experience, it was not overly intense or technical. Based on his experience, being knowledgeable coming into the position will ease the workload for the entire firm. With these sorts of contributions, this is how Juan became a truly valued member of the team.