By Pablo Yannone Sancho, Journalist at GLTH
Marlen's career has been shaped by her deep curiosity and passion for learning. After studying Law and Business Administration at ICADE - Comillas, she moved to Switzerland to advance her legal education and began her career in investment banking.
However, her family-rooted passion for law led her back to the legal field. “My true calling as a lawyer soon resurfaced -a passion that has been deeply ingrained in my family for generations,” she says. Starting in the litigation and arbitration department at Cuatrecasas, she then joined CJ Berwin in London, where she witnessed firsthand how technology and innovation were transforming the legal industry. “It was in London that I saw how technology was reshaping the legal field, and I felt compelled to bring some of these advancements back to Spain.”
Upon her return to Spain, Marlen led the first comprehensive study on arbitration and began working at RocaJunyent, where she initiated groundbreaking collaborations between lawyers and software developers. Her team won the Global Legal Hackathon twice. “We were one of the first teams in Spain to combine legal expertise with software development, and that collaboration led to incredible results,” she recalls.
Marlen’s commitment to advancing the legal field continues through her work in legaltech and her founding of Women in a Legal World, an initiative that promotes female leadership in the legal sector. “I'm passionate about staying at the cutting edge of technological developments, particularly artificial intelligence,” she explains. Today, she remains focused on how technology can enhance legal services, streamline processes, and allow lawyers to focus on more meaningful work. “It's about eliminating low-value tasks and focusing on what truly matters,” she concludes.
A little bit about Marlen´s background
From a young age, Marlen knew she wanted to be a lawyer. “I was fascinated by the idea of defending people, solving complex problems, and contributing to justice,” she recalls. This passion led her to a successful career in law, where she not only excels professionally but also advocates for female leadership and mediation. Her daily mantra, “Every effort has its reward,” reflects her belief that every small step contributes to a larger, meaningful process.
A lover of travel, Marlen finds inspiration in the places she visits. One of her most memorable trips was to Turkey, where the blend of history, culture, and modernity left a lasting impression. “Turkey stands with one foot in Europe and the other in Asia, creating a unique blend of cultures,” she explains.
In her downtime, Marlen enjoys watching Suits, a series that although it's fictional, for Marlen, “it captures the dynamics of a law firm very well!. She finds it very entertaining “to see how cases are resolved creatively.” Also, she frequently dives into books on leadership and innovation, such as “Sapiens: From Animals to Gods” by Yuval Noah Harari, “The Gifts of Imperfection” by Brené Brown, “Creativity, Inc.” by Ed Catmull, “Getting to Yes” by Roger Fisher and William Ury, and "The Future of the Professions” by Richard and Daniel Susskind. Very good recommendations from an Advisor. Take advantage of it!
Marlen´s perception of legaltech
Marlen sees legaltech as a powerful tool that is revolutionizing the legal industry by “improving efficiency, reducing costs, and expanding access to legal services”. This involves “automating repetitive tasks and using document management platforms, billing and time management software, contract analysis tools, and AI solutions for legal research,” she explains. For her, the transformation brought by legaltech lies in its ability to streamline operations, making legal services more accessible to everyone.
However, Marlen emphasizes that technology alone is not enough. “Technology can help rethink the legal sector by automating administrative tasks and enhancing the accuracy of legal data analysis, but it must be guided by human insight and ethical considerations,” she states. She believes that while automation and AI can handle many tasks, a thoughtful approach that upholds the principles of justice is essential to truly “harness” the potential of technological advancements.
As for the future, Marlen sees legaltech having a profound global and human impact. “I see a future where legal technology makes legal services more accessible globally, democratizing access to justice and allowing lawyers to focus on more strategic, high-value work,” she predicts.
With the exponential growth of the legaltech ecosystem in recent years, driven by investments and accelerated by the pandemic, Marlen is optimistic about the continuous evolution of the field and its role in reshaping the legal landscape, and she underlines the importance of spreading the word around professionals interest in the sector: “I would encourage them to join the GLTH”, she says, “as it is a great opportunity to connect with other innovators, learn from experts and contribute to the transformation of the legal sector.”
Partner and Member of the Board of Directors, Roca Junyent & Founder, Women in a Legal World
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