New section of our series of interviews. Today, Ignacio Abella.
From Gericó Associates we want to bring to our readers, once again, how is the life of professionals related to the legal sector in a series of interviews to relevant personalities. On this occasion we interview Ignacio Abella, Editor – Benchmarking of Latin Lawyer – LACCA.
What is the first thing you do when you arrive at the office or when you start your work day?
My start of the work day varies a lot depending on whether I am working in the office or from home, and also on the timing of the research cycle at Latin Lawyer. But it usually starts with a cappuccino, reviewing relevant messages and news, and organizing certain tasks with the team.
What role does Marketing and Communication play in your day-to-day work?
Critical, although it is not a direct part of our core functions, it is very important to maintain a constant relationship with the Marketing, Communication and Business Development specialists of the firms. Normally, this collaboration is what maintains the flow of news and information for the research we do at Latin Lawyer.
What is the funniest anecdote that has happened to you in the office?
Although with this hybrid work model we are less in the office, there are always funny anecdotes of things that happened, either in person or virtually, because the team is very diverse and united. We make puns with the headlines of the news to be published, or we version them as they would be written by heart or business publications, as an internal mental exercise. It is also a tradition, when it is someone’s birthday, to go to their post and applaud as a group (without singing Happy Birthday), or to do it via Teams.
What is your favorite place to get lost and disconnect?
Putting my feet in the water of an Atlantic beach, even if it’s only for a short time. If it’s empty, all the better, but let it be the Atlantic, I feel it connects me to my hometown. I do it whenever I can, including once dressed in a tuxedo at the end of a gala event.
If you were a product, what would your slogan be?
I’ve never been asked this before! And I wouldn’t have thought about it, but maybe “I bend, but I don’t break”, although I don’t know if any product already has that slogan.
What book would Ignacio Abella recommend us?
It’s been a long time since I read a book that has marked me as much as some I read in my university days. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings was one of them, as well as Daína Chaviano’s The Dinosaur Trough. More of the XXI century, would be the trilogy Apocalipsis Z by Manel Loureiro, it caught my attention a few years ago, because I had not read much in Spanish about the zombie theme, plus its author is a lawyer, and the novel began as a blog, an interesting development.
What is the biggest learning you have taken away from your current position (Editor – Benchmarking, Latin Lawyer and LACCA) and throughout your professional career?
That you have to keep an open mind, because you learn something new every day.
What advice would you give to a young person starting his or her career?
Never stop reading and learning new things: other languages, coding, social and technical skills.
What areas in your industry need the biggest boost in the next 5 years?
Use of technology and closer and more respectful human relationships.
Gerico Associates is the first legal marketing and legal communications consulting firm in Europe and Latin America. If you need advice for your firm, you can contact us by sending an email to info@gericoassociates.com or by clicking here.
