Why did you decide to study Law?
During the IT master’s programme I completed, there was an option to choose an elective course, including one offered by the Faculty of Law. That was an interesting experience. What struck me most was how lawyers think and reason differently when solving a problem compared with what I was used to in my own programme. It made me curious. A few years later, when I was looking for more challenge and broader development in my career, I decided to study Law as a second degree.
Where do you work?
I work in my own company as a consultant and software developer, across the full trajectory from idea to implementation of a new product. My role is mainly in translating between technology and business.
Have you always wanted to do this?
No. It came to me during a phase of life in which I felt a need for further development and new stimuli. At the time, law as a discipline was completely unfamiliar to me.
What inspired you to choose the Law programme?
Law plays a role in everyone’s daily life. At the same time, it can feel like a closed world—something you can only navigate with a lawyer. I wanted to gain more control and understanding myself. I was drawn to the idea of building a solid foundation across all areas of law.
How did the studies fit in with this?
Before starting this master’s programme, I completed a Bachelor’s in Law at Erasmus University Rotterdam. During that period, I noticed that there was relatively little room for critical thinking within the core curriculum. For someone coming from an environment where inventiveness is actively encouraged, that required some adjustment. Still, the programme gave me a great deal. My perspective on the world has broadened: when it comes to legal topics, I now have far more context and I am less easily swayed by claims that are legally straightforward to refute.
How did you experience the course at VU Amsterdam?
In this programme, critical thinking was encouraged considerably more than during the bachelor’s. There is room to excel by actively reasoning, rather than mainly memorising. In my view, that is what makes law truly interesting—not only how the law is, but also where it falls short and how it develops, for example in response to technological change in society.
Were there any specific courses or projects that you found particularly interesting?
What I found especially interesting was that we also looked at technological progress, its impact on society, and the legal questions it raises. When you start answering those questions, you are dealing with current affairs and the interests at stake today. That is tremendously enjoyable. Among other things, you explore the European Commission’s plans to provide greater legal certainty in a rapidly changing world.
In addition, I was very drawn to the field of intellectual property (IP) law. It is, again, an area closely linked to innovation. An apparently simple question such as “Can you legally protect an idea?” or “Can you register a flavour as a trade mark?” immediately takes you into the substance. You gradually develop a clearer understanding of what IP law covers, what it is for, and how it has evolved over time. IP law appealed to me because it provides legal certainty for entrepreneurs and inventors who invest in creating something new.
How did the study prepare you for your career?
A degree cannot fully prepare you for your career. The cases you study are always slightly different from what you encounter in practice, and that is precisely what makes practice interesting. You complete the master’s with the ability to think legally and to solve a legal problem, using the knowledge you have developed within your chosen specialisation.
Which skills or knowledge from the programme do you use most in your work?
As an entrepreneur and software developer, I regularly use my legal knowledge, for example in the areas of trade mark law and copyright. I also frequently deal with the application of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). When you develop an app to bring to market, it is crucial as an entrepreneur to gain insight into how that app is used. Without insight into user behaviour, you cannot optimise or adjust. At the same time, you want to act in compliance with the GDPR and safeguard users’ privacy interests. A well-designed, privacy-friendly app also strengthens user trust.
The challenge is to design processes in a way that complies with the law, protects users’ privacy, and still yields valuable insights for further development. It is a careful process, but also an enjoyable one. My starting point is always the purpose of the data processing. I determine which information is strictly necessary to achieve that purpose. Ultimately, my technical skills come into play and I translate the design into database structures. For me, this is the perfect example of how my legal and technical knowledge come together.
How does the knowledge and experience from the study contribute to practice and your current work?
The programme provides you with a solid foundation. You understand the legal language and are able to take on legal issues. In practice, you regularly encounter situations that differ from the cases you studied. But you are able to identify where to look and which steps to take. That is a crucial first step in addressing a problem effectively. I use those skills a lot in my work -not only in IP, but also, for example, when it comes to contracts or administrative-law matters.
What are some surprises or insights you have gained during your career so far?
That it is genuinely enjoyable to spar with lawyers and exchange ideas on substantive issues. I notice that the culture in the legal world is very different from the IT world. For someone in IT, a legal conversation can sometimes seem dull—especially when the tone is: “This is simply what the law says, and within that framework I do what is expected of me.” I find it particularly valuable when lawyers and IT professionals look at issues together and strengthen one another’s perspectives.
What do you deal with in your job?
In practice, I have worked extensively with trade mark law, copyright, and the GDPR. As an entrepreneur, I also work regularly with contracts. More recently, I carried out an assignment for the government in the field of software development. What makes that interesting is that a range of additional statutory frameworks come into play, making the legal assessment even more complex and challenging.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
Innovating and turning projects into a success gives me the most energy.
Do you have any advice for alumni who have just completed their degree and want to start their career?
Choose a firm or organisation whose culture fits you. The importance of that is often underestimated, even though it is the foundation that enables you to excel. Dare to hold on to your ideals, but also remain self-critical and stay open to thinking differently. Also dare to challenge your clients when necessary and when it is in their interest.
If you’d like to get in touch with Hugo Ernst, you can contact him via his LinkedIn page.
