We spoke with Felipa Eichel, a dual-degree student in Law and International Relations at IE University, who is taking her passion for
international legal practice to the next level through The Law Firm Network’s Secondment Programme. After interning at Haver & Mailänder in Germany, she’s now preparing for secondments with LFN member firms in Egypt and New Zealand. Felipa reflects on how these global experiences are shaping her path toward a career in international business law.
Introductory Questions
1. Could you briefly introduce yourself, including your law studies at IE University and your experience at the German member firm Haver & Mailänder, as well as share a bit about your personal interests or explorer spirit that drives your passion for international opportunities?
My name is Felipa Eichel, and I am a bachelor student of Comparative Law (LL.B.) and International Relations (BIR) at IE University, Madrid. I am currently packing my bags for my upcoming internships with two The Law Firm Network Members in Egypt, Ibrachy & Dermarkar and New Zealand, Burton Partners. I grew up near Stuttgart, where I graduated from High School at 18 years old. Driven by my desire to study in English and live abroad, I enrolled at IE and relocated to Segovia, a charming Roman town approximately an hour from Madrid, where I spent the first two years of my degree. The thrill of life comes from adventure and exploring the natural world around us. Therefore, when I’m not studying or travelling, I enjoy water sports such as swimming and kitesurfing, as well as playing polo and skiing.
After completing my second year at university last summer, I interned for two months at Haver & Mailänder, Stuttgart, where I gained exposure to several areas of law, including competition law, commercial law, private international law, and arbitration. During the internship, I had the opportunity to get diverse insights and deepen my knowledge specifically in merger control procedures, foreign direct investment (FDI) reviews, cartel damage claims, and corporate litigation. I also followed an M&A transaction from a legal perspective and contributed to drafting an article on a German bill proposing reforms in arbitration law.
My next adventure is my upcoming semester abroad, where I will not only learn about new cultures but also gain firsthand experience in different legal systems and work environments. My comparative law studies focus on both civil law traditions in Europe and common law systems. Through my internship at Ibrachy & Dermarkar in Egypt, I will be introduced to yet another legal tradition – Sharia law. At Burton Partners in New Zealand, I will gain my first hands-on experience in a common law jurisdiction. I am excited to combine these diverse experiences to deepen my understanding and further my interest in pursuing a career in international business law.
2. How did you get introduced to the LFN Secondment Programme?
During my internship at Haver & Mailänder in Germany, the lawyers introduced me to the Law Firm Network and its role in facilitating international legal collaboration. Haver & Mailänder has a strong international outlook, with lawyers trained in numerous countries, including Lithuania, France, and the United Kingdom. My supervisor, Elisabeth Wyrembek, kindly offered to support me should I wish to pursue another internship with the network in the future.
3. What motivated you to apply for secondments abroad through the LFN?
The opportunity to gain practical, cross-border legal experience during my upcoming university semester motivated me to apply for secondments abroad through The Law Firm Network. As a dual-degree student in Law and International Relations, I am particularly drawn to the comparative perspective that international placements offer. Each secondment is an opportunity not only to deepen my legal knowledge but also to understand how the law is practised across diverse cultural and economic contexts. Throughout my life, I have created some of my best memories through student exchange programmes, summer schools, and travelling, and I look forward to making more.
Focus on the LFN Secondment Programme
4. Congratulations on securing secondments with two LFN member firms – Ibrachy & Dermarkar in Egypt and Burton Partners in New Zealand. How did the LFN support you in making these placements happen?
Thank you! The LFN was highly supportive and welcoming in offering opportunities to a university student seeking international legal experience. I want to express special thanks to my former supervisor, Elisabeth Wyrembek at Haver & Mailänder, who played a key role in helping me organise the two placements. Her support in connecting me with member firms and guiding the process was invaluable. I was especially encouraged to accept both placements by the firms’ openness to hosting a law student from another country.
5. What led you to select these two member firms and jurisdictions for your upcoming secondments?
I was eager to gain legal experience outside of Europe, both to step outside my comfort zone and to engage with a common law jurisdiction. New Zealand appealed to me not only for its legal system but also for its stunning natural diversity – living by the ocean, surrounded by mountains and unique wildlife, is something I’ve always dreamed of. Egypt, on the other hand, presented a compelling opportunity to explore a distinct legal tradition rooted in Sharia law. My interest in the region was also shaped by close friendships with classmates from Arabic backgrounds, particularly from Jordan, which sparked my curiosity about the legal and cultural dynamics of the Middle East. Visiting the pyramids, the Royal Tombs, and Luxor has long been on my bucket list, so combining professional growth with these once-in-a-lifetime experiences made both destinations the perfect fit.
6. How important do you think LFN’s network and partnerships are in providing opportunities like these for young legal professionals?
I believe the network offers a rare and valuable opportunity for young legal professionals. It acts as a bridge between law firms worldwide, enabling students and early-career lawyers to gain hands-on legal experience abroad – something that can be very difficult to arrange independently.
7. How do you expect the LFN Secondment Programme to enhance your international legal education and experience?
The programme allows me to directly apply and expand my comparative legal studies in real-world settings. Gaining practical experience within two distinct legal systems will deepen my understanding of how legal theory translates into practice across jurisdictions. I plan to broaden my legal skill set by engaging with different procedural frameworks, legal reasoning styles, and client approaches.
8. What are your expectations for these secondments, both professionally and personally?
Professionally, I hope that broadening my legal perspective will deepen my understanding of the interconnected nature of international business law, particularly how different legal systems influence cross-border transactions and global regulatory frameworks. Personally, I look forward to adapting to new challenges and learning from diverse perspectives through these two professional experiences.
9. How do you see these secondments, through the LFN programme, impacting your future career in law?
I see these secondments as a pivotal step in shaping my future career in international business law. They will help me clarify and strengthen my career vision as I prepare to pursue a master’s degree in this field. Gaining hands-on experience in two distinct legal systems will provide practical insight into cross-border legal work, while the professional relationships I develop will expand my international network. Most importantly, I hope to carry the perspectives and lessons from these experiences into my future work – applying them to complex, globally oriented legal challenges.
10. What advice would you give to other young LFN members considering the LFN Secondment Programme?
My advice to young LFN members and fellow law students is to say yes to every opportunity that genuinely excites you, and not to shy away from stepping into the unfamiliar. Be curious and proactive – research the legal cultures that interest you and communicate clearly with potential host firms about your learning goals. Most importantly, embrace the experience with an open mind, both professionally and personally. These opportunities can shape not only your legal career but also your perspective on the world.
11. How do you think programmes like LFN’s secondments contribute to fostering international legal collaboration?
From my perspective, these programs, fostered by international networks, enhance cross-border understanding, both culturally and legally. By placing young professionals in international legal environments, international programmes encourage knowledge-sharing, respect for differences, and long-term professional relationships. Ultimately, they help build a more cohesive and collaborative global legal community – one that is better equipped to navigate the complexities of a globalised world with an interconnected legal landscape.
