Tips to building a successful career in IP & IT Law

4 min read

“Find something you love to do and you’ll never have to work a day in your life.” For Javier Fernández-Lasquetty, not only is this one of his all-time favorite quotes, but it is also the foundational ethos that drives his professional and personal life. It has served him well, helping the veteran lawyer build up an impressive legal career that has spanned more than 30 years.

Javier is one of the many leading experts that make up the teaching staff at IE University. With an innovative, global approach to learning, IE Law School in particular provides future-focused education to the legal professionals of tomorrow. Its broad range of programs are multidisciplinary by design, focusing on technology and other relevant disciplines to train well-rounded professionals ready to take on the challenges of an evolving world.

Within the Master of Laws (LL.M.), ambitious professionals are able to transform their interests into successful careers by focusing on one of three distinct areas of specialization: International Business Law, International Dispute Resolution, and Intellectual Property & Technology Law. Their studies are led by an impressive faculty who, like Javier, are leading practitioners in their respective fields.

International by nature

Javier began his journey when he earned his first legal degree, which he went on to supplement with studies in European Law and intellectual property. While he has worked in Spain his whole life, Javier confesses that he “feels very European.”

Javier’s specialty lies in Intellectual Property and Technology Law. When he first started out in the 80s, he worked in IT law before adding an IP specialization. From the computer industry to consulting and finally private practice—Javier has seen, and done, it all. He worked in the international law firm, Baker & McKenzie, before becoming a partner at Elzaburu SLP. This unique, IP boutique firm helped him master the field of IP/IT Law.

Since then, Javier has joined IE Law School as a professor—a position he has held for 30-plus years. He teaches students in the Master of Laws (LL.M.) program who want to specialize in the area of Intellectual Property & Technology Law. His years in the industry have provided exposure to professionals from different disciplines, including engineering, science, innovation and more. It has also helped him create a vast global network of valuable connections, and a solid international profile.

Other than that, Javier is also a mediator and arbitrator at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO); the role has allowed him to visit numerous countries in Europe and Latin America.

The power of passion

When a former boss and mentor invited Javier to teach IP law, he immediately grabbed the opportunity—a decision that he says changed his life. Since then, Javier has taught countless students at IE Law School.

This put him in the perfect position to offer some advice to students who want to pursue a career just like his. For him, the key to success is passion, “You have to work with passion and commit yourself to your work.” Not only will this help you connect more with your clients and offer insightful advice, but it will also make your practice enjoyable every day.

Tips for success

For Javier, passion is just the starting point; you also need a variety of knowledge to understand your clients’ needs. A good lawyer must learn about science and the arts in general, and zero in on the legal nitty-gritty too. Such knowledge empowers you to provide comprehensive, well-rounded advice to your clients.

Furthermore, he insists that legal professionals must stay on the cutting-edge. In a dynamic world, you must keep up-to-date with the latest new technologies, such as NFTs or the metaverse. “You have to always stay updated and keep learning in order to give good advice.”

Not only has it helped him become a better lawyer, but it has also enriched his career in unexpected ways. “I’m so happy to be a professor here at IE Law School.”