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IE Law School and Northwestern Celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Executive LL.M.
Alumni from different generations and countries gathered in Madrid to celebrate a program that has trained over 700 professionals.
IE Law School and Northwestern Pritzker School of Law celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Executive LL.M. from September 12 to 14—an academic partnership that, since its launch, has trained over 700 legal professionals from around the world.
Over the course of three days, alumni, faculty, and legal experts convened at IE University to reflect on the challenges facing the legal profession in a context shaped by technological transformation and geopolitical shifts.
A Global Community Committed to Impact
The institutional opening was led by Eugenia Castrillón, Vice Dean of Programs at IE Law School, and James Speta, Professor at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law. Both reviewed the milestones of this two-decade collaboration, highlighting the international nature of the program.
Speta emphasized diversity as one of its greatest assets: “The Executive LL.M. has brought together students from nearly 40 nationalities,” he noted, adding that this variety of experiences and perspectives has enriched participants' ability to address complex legal issues. Castrillón underscored the program's role as a space for strategic thinking and for building collaborative networks among senior legal professionals.
Technology, Rights, and Governance: Urgent Questions
The first academic panel, titled “AI and the Law: Navigating the Intersection of Technology, Rights, and Governance,” featured Blanca Bardín, Partner at PwC Tax & Legal, and IE Law School professors Sergio Verdugo and Francesca Palmiotto, moderated by Fernando Pastor, Academic Vice Dean at IE Law School.
The session addressed key issues such as the impact of artificial intelligence on fundamental rights, the opacity of algorithmic systems, the use of facial recognition technologies, and regulatory asymmetries across jurisdictions. Speakers agreed that AI, beyond being a technical tool, operates as a system that shapes social relationships and poses new legal challenges. The discussion stressed the need for technological governance that safeguards the collective interest without hindering innovation.
Legal Practice in a Hyperregulated World
The second panel on Friday, titled “The Geopolitics of Law: Legal Practice in an Era of Strategic Rivalry & Hyperregulation,” explored how increasing regulatory fragmentation and geopolitical tensions are reshaping the practice of international law.
Moderated by Julia Taddei, Executive LL.M. alumna and General Counsel at Petrobras Netherlands BV, the panel featured fellow alumni Claudio Elia, Alejandro Páez Vallejo, and Sandra Monroy Suárez. Drawing from their professional experiences, they discussed the evolving role of legal counsel as strategic advisors in highly regulated and complex environments.
Law, Democracy, and Sustainability
On Saturday, September 13, the academic agenda continued at IE University’s María de Molina campus with two thematic panels.
The first, “Law, Society & Democracy,” moderated by James Speta, brought together Northwestern faculty James Lupo, Lynn Cohn, and Stephen Reed to reflect on the role of law in safeguarding democratic institutions.
The second panel, “Sustainability, Strategy, and Law: Responsible Business & Global Legal Practice,” was moderated by Mary Foster, Senior Lecturer at Northwestern, and featured Executive LL.M. alumni Ana Cecilia Caicedo Pulido, César Alonso Palacios López, Carlos Landazábal, and Luca Bianchi. The discussion focused on the legal profession’s contribution to driving sustainable business transformation.
Community, Networking, and Looking Ahead
In addition to the academic sessions, the program featured networking opportunities that brought together alumni from across the globe, career strategy workshops, and guided tours of the IE Tower and the Prado Museum. The celebration concluded with a gala at the historic Palacio de Santoña in the heart of Madrid.
This 20th anniversary marked not only a moment of celebration but also a reaffirmation of the Executive LL.M.’s commitment to legal education that is responsive to today’s challenges and focused on impact beyond the classroom.
More information about the program: ie.edu/law-school/programs/executive-llm
