Anna RolkeThose who are studying often do not yet have a precise plan for starting their professional life. Just as there are many different degrees, there are many ways and opportunities to start your professional life.
A law degree, in particular, opens up many opportunities to start working life. The second part of the series “Entering working life – 3 former UAO-students and their paths to their dream job” therefore is about with Joan Oliva Privat. From 2013 to 2017 Juan studied law at the UAO, then completed his master’s degree and is currently doing his PhD. His career so far has been very varied.
As an inspiration for soon-to-be graduating students from UAO, Joan answers our questions today.
Joan, thank you for talking to us. Our readers are very interested in your previous jobs and your experience with entering working life. Can you tell us more about your current job? What content do you specialize in professionally and do you enjoy it?
Currently, I work as an attorney in the tax litigation department of the international law firm named Crowe as a senior associate. Since I started working as a lawyer, I have specialized in tax law and, in particular, in tax litigation. That means that I am specialized in handling proceedings of individuals and companies against the tax authorities. In my department, we handle proceedings ranging from the initial administrative phase to the last procedural instance in the Courts of Justice.
Certainly, I love my job, because it allows me to be in contact with clients, colleagues, interact with de courts and, ultimately, to get into get into technical issues related to tax law and my field of study.
Currently, you are going a PhD at the University of Barcelona (UB). Why did you decide to do a PhD?
Above all, I decided to do a PhD because I wanted to take my education to the next stage and contribute to innovation in my field of study. In short, I was presented with the opportunity to do research on an innovate field that is relevant to legal science, from a theorical and practical point of view – most importantly which is also related to my professional specialization: tax litigation. However, my thesis is about the prescription of the civil responsibility derived from the crime against the Tax Authorities. Therefore, it is a subject that must be analyzed from different points of view: criminal law, tax law and civil law.
I saw that you already published some scientific papers. How did you come to write them?
Mostly, they are undergraduate and master’s degree final projects, on the other hand I have also had the opportunity to publish in legal blogs and I am currently preparing several publications for legal journals.
In these publications I carried out the study, research, and writing. The methodology used was that of law and political science, using other publications, articles, jurisprudence, and administrative doctrine.
Also, you are a member of the Barcelona Bar Association (ICAB) and the Spanish Association of Tax Advisors (AEDAF). What does that mean and what are your tasks?
When I finished the law degree and the master’s degree in law, I became a member of the Barcelona Bar Association (ICAB). As a registered lawyer, I am authorized to practice through the Spanish territory, as well as in the countries of the European Union, always having as a maxim the fulfillment of the code of ethics of the legal profession.
For the past two years, I have also been a member of the Spanish Association of Tax Advisors (AEDAF), which is de largest group of experts in tax law in Spain and whose objective is to watch over the rights of taxpayers and the interests of the profession. As a member of the AEDAF, I have access to all the training offered by the association and, likewise, I have the duty to comply with the aims pursued by the association.
What would your dream job be?
First of all, my dream job would be as a tax lawyer, specializing in tax litigation. In this job, both my technical and creative side should be enhanced, and I should be given autonomy in handling tax procedures and communicating with clients.
Scrupulous compliance with the code of ethics of the legal profession is an inescapable requirement, as well as the correct and pleasant treatment of employees and clients: not as a number or as a tool, but as an end.
Additionally, in terms of salary, the perfect job should offer a competent remuneration and a flexible compensation plan, determined by objectives, as well as remuneration in kind for meals and transport.
Finally, since the beginning of the global pandemic of COVID-19, we have experienced a growth of teleworking, whose positive results, in health and in the results of the company, is a reality. Thus, the dream job should promote telework, offering facilities and resources to workers.
Lastly, what did you particularly like about studying at the UAO?
In summary, I particularly liked about studying at the UAO the excellent legal education, based on the case method in the teaching of law and the commitment of the professors to the academic and professional training of the students.
Do you want to learn more about Joan or want to get in touch with him? Here you can find his LinkedIn-Profile.
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“My tip for you entering working life is not to be afraid of failing. Take risks. Show what you are capable of.”
