Professional Guide

 

Becoming a Legal Professional

This guide serves as your introduction to entering this professional field, providing you with the resources and knowledge needed to take proactive steps toward your future.

 
 

Introduction to the Legal Sector

Ideal Candidate for the Legal Sector

Opportunities & Musts at IE

Application & Recruitment

Alumni in the Legal Sector

Additional Resources

Introduction to the Legal Sector

IE Law School's Graduate Programs Spring Cocktail (May 2025)

THE LEGAL SECTOR

The legal sector offers a wide range of career opportunities across law firms, corporate legal departments, consulting firms, public institutions and international organizations. While competition for top positions remains strong, demand continues to grow for legal professionals with expertise in areas such as corporate and commercial law, dispute resolution, compliance, data privacy, intellectual property and financial regulation.

Employers increasingly seek candidates who combine strong legal knowledge with commercial awareness, analytical thinking, communication skills and an international mindset. In addition to technical legal expertise, practical experience through internships, networking and extracurricular activities plays a key role in securing employment opportunities.

The legal profession is also evolving in response to globalization, regulatory developments and technological innovation, creating new opportunities for graduates interested in emerging areas such as compliance, legal technology, data protection and sustainability-related regulation.

Source: Adapted from Firsthand's Law Industry Overview

COMMON TYPES OF FIRMS

The legal sector is primarily made up of law firms. It also includes consulting firms that provide legal services, as well as Alternative Legal Service Providers (ALSPs). Below are some example:

MAIN LEGAL ROLES

After studying law, graduates have a wide range of career options. These include traditional legal careers (such as completing the qualifications required to become a lawyer or attorney, depending on the country), as well as roles as legal advisors or in-house lawyers within corporate legal departments.

Lawyer and Attorney
Lawyers and attorneys are qualified to represent clients in legal proceedings. They typically work in law firms, consulting firms or ALSPs that provide legal services.

Legal Advisor and In-house Counsel/Lawyer
Legal Advisors and In-house Counsels/Lawyers are not qualified to represent clients in legal proceedings but provide legal advice on legal matters. They usually work within the legal department of international or private companies, providing advice on specific or several legal topics. These departments ensure that the company operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

To strengthen their professional profile and broaden their career prospects, law graduates typically pursue one of two pathways: qualification as a Lawyer/Attorney or specialization through postgraduate studies.

Qualification as a Lawyer/Attorney
Students whose goal is to practise law as qualified Lawyers/Attorneys will generally need to complete additional academic and/or professional requirements. Depending on the jurisdiction, this may include a Master's degree, professional training, qualifying examinations or other requirements established by the relevant legal authority. As qualification routes vary significantly across countries, students should consult the appropriate regulatory body in the jurisdiction where they intend to practise.

Specialization through Postgraduate Studies
Alternatively, graduates may choose to develop expertise in a specific area of law or a related field through postgraduate education. Common areas of specialization include International Business Law, Intellectual Property, Compliance, Data Protection & Privacy, Legal Technology, Sustainability and Public Policy.

To explore postgraduate options and identify the program that best aligns with your career goals, download the Guide to Choosing the Right Master's After Your LLB.

Qualified Lawyers

Key considerations for those interested in becoming qualified lawyers

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Outside the Legal Sector

For those interested in practicing law, but not in the legal sector

MAIN PLAYERS

Law firms can be classified according to several criteria, including:

  • Size (number of employees)
  • Business volume (number of transactions)
  • International presence
  • Areas of legal practice

The best sources for up-to-date law firm classifications are official legal rankings, such as:

Structure

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Professional Career

Lifestyle

PRACTICAL ACTIVITY

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Ideal Candidate for the Legal Sector

DESIRED PROFILE

The ideal candidate combines the right profile with strong motivation. Key traits include:

  • Reasoning and problem solving skills
  • Communication skills (both oral and written, correct grammar and spelling to write coherently and with cohesion)
  • Client-orientation
  • Detail-orientation
  • Teamwork skills
  • Ability to work under pressure
  • Digital literacy and proficiency with professional technology tools (e.g. Microsoft Office, legal research databases and AI-powered productivity tools)
  • High GPA + strong academic performance
  • Languages
  • Extracurricular activities: additional courses, previous internship experience, volunteer work, etc. (Check the section "Opportunities and Musts during your time at IEU")
  • Resilience, adaptability and ability to perform in demanding environments (don't mind long working hours)

MOTIVATION

  • Show your passion towards becoming a lawyer in the near future.
  • Show your passion towards the specific firm you are applying to. Why do you want to join that specific firm?
  • Show your motivation towards the specific internship program/position they offer.

For the second point, consider your reasons for joining each firm from both a professional perspective (e.g., its strengths in specific industries or legal practice areas, notable deals, or areas of expertise) and a personal perspective (e.g., whether you are attracted to and feel comfortable with the firm's culture, values, and work environment).

Additionally, your studies at IE strengthen your profile in all of the following areas. Keep them in mind throughout the application process and highlight the ones that are most relevant whenever appropriate (e.g., in your application materials and interviews).

  • You have a global/international approach to law (comparative law studies), thus, a multidisciplinary approach to solving complex legal problems.
  • You have studied different jurisdictions and this is very relevant in multinational law firms and companies.
  • You are able to interpret legal documents in English and your native language/s.
  • You are trained in Negotiation, Analytical and Logical Reasoning, Decision-making, Communication, Client Service.
  • Your studies have a focus on the Humanities, you acquire the necessary tools to both analyse the ideas of others and defend your own.
  • Your studies are oriented towards business and technology.
  • You can complement your studies with electives in different topics - highlight those that can be relevant. For example, if you study the Spanish Business Law track, make sure to include that information in your applications to law firms based in Spain.

TAILOR YOUR CV

Remember that when preparing your CV, you must use the IE CV template and follow the instructions available in the Career Development Training (CDT) on Blackboard (blackboard.ie.edu > Courses > Career Development).

Additionally, on the left, you will find relevant tips for tailoring your CV to the legal sector.

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PRACTICAL ACTIVITY 
CV Customization

  • Tailor your CV using the keywords and key insights. Use the IE CV that you prepared for the CDT as your base.
  • Upload the tailor CV as a one-page PDF to the Career Portal (documents tab) so you can use it in your applications.

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Opportunities & Musts During Your Time at IE

Here you have different kind of activities through which you can start gaining relevant experience from the beginning of your studies. We highly recommend getting involved in these activities to build an attractive profile for the firms.

Activities to gain relevant experience

  • Young Corporate Program (YCP)

    This program allows selected students to participate in activities with a specific company throughout several years of their bachelor's degree. It is open to first-year single-degree students and second-year dual-degree students. Information will be shared with eligible students when appropriate.

    Some participating firms include: Eversheds Sutherland, Linklaters, Clifford Chance, Garrigues, Pérez-Llorca, Uría Menéndez, King & Wood Mallesons, Latham & Watkins, Allen & Overy, Squire Patton Boggs, GV Legal Control, and Hogan Lovells.

  • Virtual Work Experience Programs

    Experience simulations based on the work carried out at leading companies. For example, The Forage (a free resource) offers virtual work experience programs with firms such as Latham & Watkins, White & Case, King & Wood Mallesons, and many others. You can access The Forage here.

  • IE University Labs

    They are IE University’s alternative to traditional work placements and provide hands-on, internship-like experience on campus to first and second-year students who wish to start gaining professional practice. For example: Legal Clinic Lab, Social Impact Lab, etc.

    For further info labs.university@ie.edu

  • IE Clubs

    Join relevant IE clubs, such as the Law Society, the IE Ethics and Compliance Club, and the Debate Club. For more information, contact campus.life@ie.edu

    • Law Society: they organize sessions, spread opportunities and provide relevant information on the legal sector.
    • Debate Club: you can join mock debates and improve your debate skills.

  • Competitions and Events

    Participate in Competitions and Events. For example: LLB Academic Department usually organizes the “Roman Law Challenge”, the “European Union Law Challenge” and the “Commercial Law Challenge”. They will inform targeted students when appropriate.

  • Volunteer Work

    Collaborating with NGOs / Foundations. Hacesfalta.org, Fundación Lealtad, The Borgen Project, UN Volunteers (online), UNICEF, etc.

PRACTICAL ACTIVITY 
Enhancing your profile

  • Complete at least one virtual experience on The Forage.
  • Join IE clubs related to your areas of interest and be an active member.
  • Attend at least three sector-specific events each year (e.g., workshops, company presentations, roundtables, and lectures).
  • Attend the Careers Forum for the legal sector, as well as any other recruitment events organized with legal sector employers.

Reflection: What have you done so far, and/or what do you plan to do in the coming years to strengthen your profile?

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Application & Recruitment Process

OPPORTUNITIES & WHEN TO APPLY

Please note: opportunities, deadlines and requirements vary from one country to other.

Summer
Internships 		Long-term Internships Paralegal
Roles 		Junior
Lawyer
Big law firms:
Summer Internship Programs Apply during the first semester (Sept – Dec)

Small law firms:
Summer Internship Positions They usually publish positions from February/March onwards
. 		Internships that last around 6 months

Apply 3–6 months before the desired starting date



. 		Open to students about to graduate who are not pursuing an official qualifying route

Few positions available and not in every law firm

Apply 3–6 months before the desired starting date 		Additional training and passing an official state exam are usually required.





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In the two images below, you can see examples of opportunities featured in the Talent & Careers Weekly Newsletter from previous academic years.

Where to apply to opportunities

  • Law Firm Websites

    Law firms centralize their recruitment processes via their websites. Do research and create your list of “target” firms. Apply directly through their websites!

  • Career Fairs

    • Legal Talent Fair (Feria de Talento Jurídico) – typically held in October and January. As one of the main recruitment events for Law students it offers an excellent opportunity to connect with law firms, learn about internship and graduate opportunities, and expand your professional network. Students interested in the Spanish legal market are encouraged to stay attentive to the next 2026-2027 Academic Year edition. Visit this link to access the latest 2026 event information, participating firms and details.
    • INTERNATIONAL MARKET: Careers Forum - usually in March.
      Information will be sent via email when it corresponds - check your inbox!

  • Talent & Careers Weekly Newsletter

    Events, company presentations, internship and job opportunities, search engines. Download the Excel sheet in order to filter opportunities by function, location, starting date, duration, etc.

    Please note that in this newsletter you will find legal roles in the legal sector and also in companies of other sectors (legal department of multinational companies).

  • IE Career Portal

    IE CAREER PORTAL IE’s platform where internship and job opportunities are posted. CV adapted to the EU CV template is necessary to apply.

  • Additional Search Engines

  • Networking

    Attend law-related events to generate relevant contacts. Identify people in your network related to the firms of your interest.

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RECRUITMENT PROCESS

As mentioned before, law firms want to identify talented people who match the firm and have the required skills for the position. Throughout the process you must show:

  • Motivation towards the legal profession, the specific firm, and the position
  • You have the necessary skills to successfully perform

Preparation is key to success! Research the company and stay up to date on the latest news in the legal sector. The recruitment process usually includes the following steps:

  • Online application
  • Online or on-site tests
  • Group exercises
  • Interviews

Click to view larger image

Remember that in the Career Development Training (blackboard.ie.edu > Courses > Career Development) you can find webinars and useful resources in order to get ready for these steps of the recruitment process.

Additionally, check out the T&C website for further information on very useful resources for the recruitment process preparation. Also, don’t forget to sign up for our HR Interview Prep workshops and Group Dynamic Simulations. If you find any difficulties with the registration, please email ieu.careers@ie.edu

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Alumni in the Legal Sector

These links showcase IE alumni and current IE students thriving in the legal sector. They offer valuable insights into their career journeys and the skills they developed during their time at IE. Happy exploring!

Damián Pérez-Taboada 
at Pérez-Llorca (Madrid)
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Ana Martínez Valls
at Cleary Gottlieb (New York City)
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Paulina Samovica
at Corsearch (The Netherlands)
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Nelson Vanderfelt
at Allen & Overy (Luxembourg)
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Nicole Ciferni
at Ashurst (Madrid)
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Alice de Oliveira Saad
at Pandora (Madrid)
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Alumni Testimonials from the Career Reports

Career Report 2025

Career Report 2025

Career Report 2025

Career Report 2024

Career Report 2024

Career Report 2023

Career Report 2022

Career Report 2025

Career Report 2025

Career Report 2025

Career Report 2025

Career Report 2025

Career Report 2025

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Additional Resources

Sector-Specific Q&A Sessions Legal Sector: Speak with a specialist about your specific case or career-related questions. Sessions take place on the first Tuesday of each month, from 11:30–12:30 or 16:00–17:00. No registration required. Link to access Zoom. 

From time to time, the sessions focus on specific markets (e.g., the UK or the US). Keep an eye on Talent & Careers communications and the events section of our newsletters for upcoming sessions.

UK Market - Legal Profession

US Market - Legal Profession

BENELUX Market - Legal Profession

Legal Practice Areas
The following two links provide information about different legal practice areas and the skills needed to succeed in each one.

International Arbitration

Alternative Legal Services Providers (ALSPs)

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