Claudio Elia

Claudio Elia began forming an international mindset from an early age. Growing up in Italy with dual Italian and Swiss nationality sparked a curiosity about the world that led him to the field of law, and it continues to inspire him today.   

Before joining the Executive LL.M., Claudio spent several years building experience in mainly corporate and cross-border legal roles. But as he progressed, he came to see that law isn’t a separate entity from business. Rather, it is part of a broader conversation about people, objectives and long-term direction.  

It was this realization, along with an increasing interest in strategic impact over purely technical legal work, that brought him to IE Law School. 

Feeling it was the right time to challenge himself and broaden his perspective, Claudio set out to find a program that would help him do so. He had already built a strong foundation in legal frameworks, so he was looking for a way to connect them with business strategy, especially in an international context. "I wanted to become more effective in the way I support the business," he says. 

The Executive LL.M. at IE Law School offered exactly what Claudio was looking for. He was drawn by its combination of academic rigor and a practical, global approach to learning, believing this was the right environment for him to achieve his goals. "It felt like a place where I could learn from different viewpoints and grow both professionally and personally," he reflects. 

Looking back on his program experience, Claudio can see which aspects have had the greatest impact on him. The exposure to diverse peers certainly ranks highly, as it pushed him to think more openly and flexibly. Being surrounded by such a range of backgrounds and insights allowed Claudio to participate in many enriching discussions that expanded his perspective.  

On the academic side, the program encouraged him to look at legal issues in a broader context, the precise skill he had set out to build. "It helped me better understand how cross-border legal frameworks interact, and how those differences can affect strategy, decisions and execution." In his current VP role, this ability has been essential for balancing legal precision with business priorities, time considerations and the practical realities of the markets.  

These elements combined have empowered Claudio to become a more confident and proactive professional. Now, he doesn’t just share his legal expertise; he connects his input directly to business strategy, contributing to decision-making from the very beginning. Having a clearer view of what the organization hopes to achieve means his legal judgment is connected to a real objective, making it much more meaningful. "The best legal advice is not only correct; it also needs to be practical and aligned with what the company is trying to do," he observes. 

One of Claudio’s biggest takeaways from his time in the Executive LL.M. is to always think about the bigger picture. This singular shift transformed his impact, especially in scenarios involving multiple stakeholders. He now combines strong legal judgment with insights into the business’s priorities and financial implications, making him a much more strategic leader. 

Claudio’s advice to other professionals considering the Executive LL.M. is to approach it as he did: with openness and curiosity. "It’s not only about learning new legal concepts," he says. "It is also a chance to broaden your vision, meet people who think differently and rethink the way you add value to your organization."