Daniela de la Peña

What led you to choose the Bachelor of Laws at IE Law School?

It mainly came down to the comparative and international approach that IE Law School offers. Having studied in international schools all my life, I didn’t want to limit myself to a single jurisdiction or close any doors early on. IE Law School’s methodology allowed me to explore both common Law and civil law systems, gaining a deep understanding of different legal frameworks and the opportunities they offer. This approach has given me the freedom and flexibility to decide later where I might want to practice, whether in Spain, the UK, the US, or elsewhere. I truly believe that IE Law School equips its students with the tools and global mindset needed to move confidently across jurisdictions and pursue an international legal career if they choose to.

What motivated you to focus on the Spanish Business Law concentration?

I chose the concentration in Spanish Business Law because, as I progressed throughout my law degree, I realized that I wanted to start my professional career by practicing law in Spain. To qualify as a lawyer here, I felt it was essential to build a stronger foundation in Spanish law. I saw this concentration as the best way to reinforce my knowledge and give myself that extra push to feel fully prepared for the next stage of my legal career.

How did the Spanish Business Law concentration prepare you to enter the legal profession confidently?

It gave me a great sense of confidence and reassurance. I felt that I was now on the same level as my current master’s classmates in terms of technical knowledge of Spanish law. I feel that I was able to get the best of both worlds: a strong foundation in Spanish law, complemented by a broader, comparative understanding of other jurisdictions. I think this dual perspective, which is characteristic of an IE Law School graduate, represents a real value added in today’s increasingly global legal profession.

Which aspects of the concentration do you find yourself using most frequently today?

The Spanish Business Law concentration truly is essential if you plan to study a master’s program to qualify as a lawyer in Spain. It provides you with all the technical vocabulary, a strong theoretical foundation and a detailed understanding of Spanish law. Thanks to the Spanish Business Law concentration, when I began my master’s program, I already had those fundamentals in place.

In what ways did the Spanish Business Law concentration give you an advantage when applying for jobs or internships?

It gives graduates a unique added value: we leave IE Law School with the same solid grounding in Spanish law as any other graduate, while also bringing an international and comparative perspective that distinguishes us from others in the job market. Completing the Spanish Business Law concentration adds an extra layer of effort and commitment. It demonstrates not only a strong work ethic and adaptability, but also the willingness to go the extra mile—qualities that firms genuinely value in young professionals today.

And how does it contribute to your readiness for postgraduate studies or professional exams in Spain?

The concentration allows you to enter postgraduate studies with a solid foundation, having already internalized many of the core legal concepts.

Which of the skills you developed have proven most valuable?

They taught us how to structure legal documents properly, where to find reliable legal sources and which tools to use in our research. But more importantly, they instilled in us the importance of depth, clarity and critical thinking, both for our academic work and for our future professional careers.

Looking back, what would you say was the biggest benefit of completing the concentration for your career path?

The depth of theoretical understanding it provided. The concentration allowed me to go much deeper into the technical and theoretical aspects of Spanish law, which is essential for practicing in Spain. At the same time, one of the hallmarks of IE Law School is its collaborative and international environment. The emphasis on teamwork and interactive learning is something that law firms really value, as it reflects the way professionals work in real legal settings.

How has taking these courses in Spanish strengthened your ability to work directly within Spain’s legal system?

Law firms expect a very high level of precision and fluency in Spanish legal terminology. You have to be able to use the right words confidently and accurately in every context, which requires an excellent technical command of the language. The concentration helped me develop exactly that: the ability to communicate and draft with the precision expected of a legal professional in Spain.

How has the network you built through professors, classmates and guest lecturers during the concentration helped your career?

What I value most about the network I’ve built is knowing that I’ll always have people I can turn to for advice, references or guidance. Whether it’s by reading their publications, attending their conferences or following their insights on LinkedIn, I feel lucky to remain connected to such a strong professional community. Ultimately, that’s one of the greatest takeaways from my time at IE Law School: the people. I know I can always count on my professors and peers, and I’m sure I’ll keep crossing paths with many of them in the legal field in the near future.

Would you recommend the concentration in Spanish Business Law to future students who are considering it?

I would definitely recommend the concentration in Spanish Business Law. I truly believe it’s essential. It helps you feel far more prepared and confident when starting your master’s.

What would you highlight about your experience?

What I would highlight most is the high level of rigor and expectation that the professors set, but in the best possible way. They challenge you to perform at the standard that will later be expected of you as a future lawyer and professional. This environment pushes you to stay sharp, be detail-oriented and deliver work of the highest quality. I also deeply value the advice and insights shared by our professors, who are leading experts in their fields. Their guidance not only strengthened my academic understanding but also gave me a clearer vision of the professional standards and mindset required to succeed in the legal world