10 questions for... Argentinian Lawyer Marcos Felix López

1. What motivated you to become a Lawyer? Is there anything particular in becoming a Lawyer in Argentina?

I was motivated by the variety of branches that exist within Law, the opportunities for specialization that exist. Because it is a profession that can be practiced both in your own or shared law firm, in different areas, like mediation and alternative conflict resolution, advising people, companies, public and non-governmental organizations, integration of the Judicial Power. Something special about becoming a lawyer in Argentina is that at the time of enrollment, there is no requirement to take an admission exam as it is in other countries such as the United States, Italy or Canada.

2. You are specialized in areas like Consumer Protection, Regulation and Compliance, Tax Evasion. What's your main practice area and what qualities does one need to practise in this field?

My main practice area is Consumer Protection. Some qualities that I could name for practicing in this field are empathy, communication and negotiation skills, handling of new technologies, continuous training.

3. You're based in Buenos Aires, the capital city of Argentina. How would you describe the legal scene in “la Reina del Plata”?

Buenos Aires is one of the Argentinian metropolises with the highest concentration of businesses and the largest influx of people, and by virtue of it, both conflicts and solutions are part of this scenario. Furthermore, in terms of consumption, Buenos Aires has the highest concentration of it, which is why both counseling and legal assistance in litigation are in greater demand.

In summary, the scenario presented by Buenos Aires and especially the CABA (Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires) is rich in legal material. Rich in terms of growth and development, but also rich in the advancement of the law as a whole.

4. Working your way up to become a Lawyer, did you have a mentor? What was the human or professional quality you admired most about him / her?

I did not necessarily have a mentor, but I’ve met and known throughout my career great teachers and colleagues from whom I have learned a lot, both theoretically and professionally. Some of the qualities that I most admire about them are responsibility, initiative, passion, commitment, values such as honesty, transparency, and loyalty.

5. What obstacles did you face on your road to becoming a Lawyer?

One of the obstacles I faced was having changed my field of study in the first years of my degree. I was studying in order to become Public Accountant and then I switched to Law, which took me a little longer to finish my degree. Another obstacle that I faced were some issues that I had in the first section of my studies in terms of the exams and subjects that I had to take.

6. Can you name one major difficulty in today's legal system which affects Lawyers and their Clients?

The difficulties encountered by Clients in understanding legal language and the lack of constant updating of the regulations are two of the greatest difficulties that affect lawyers and, consequently, Clients.

7. When advising a Client, what is the first thing you look to establish in the relationship?

Transparency and trust, both on the part of the Lawyer and the Client himself.

8. How has the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic impacted your areas of expertise? What changes did you notice in society in regard to your principal specializations?

The pandemic has greatly affected my areas of expertise in a positive way, since before that, most of the stages of the process were carried out in person, whether by filing a claim, a complaint, or by mediation; today, in the context of a pandemic, everything can be done digitally. The changes that I noticed in society are virtuality, flexibility and speed in the resolution of conflicts.

9. How do you see the legal system of the future?

I think it will be focused on the development of policies closer to social problems, it will provide a greater ease for people in accessing legal protection and a notable growth in the new ways of exercising law.

10. What are your professional goals moving forward and within the WOLEP network?

My goals are to increase my professional relevance, to be able to access the international market of legal services, expand my network of professional contacts, find a page or virtual platform where I can offer my legal services, collaborate with other lawyer colleagues who specialise in other practice areas or who practice in another region.

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