Meet the Class: Paolo Miguel Bernardo, LLM ’24
Corporate Lawyer Works In-House at a Fintech Company in the Philippines
Paolo Miguel Bernardo, LLM ’24, has a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a JD from the University of the Philippines. As an associate at the largest law firm in the Philippines, he helped a client win a landmark trademark case before the nation’s Supreme Court. He is looking forward to learning about American law, meeting his classmates, and catching a Chicago Bulls game while he is in the city.
Please describe your background and professional path.
As a law student in the University of the Philippines, I worked as research assistant for several law firms as well as for Raul Pangalangan, a leading Filipino legal scholar and now retired Judge of the International Criminal Court. After graduating from law school, I joined one of our country’s largest law firms, Romulo Law, where I worked for close to six years. Following my job at the firm, I transitioned to an in-house counsel role at the leading financial technology company in the Philippines, GCash, so I could be placed at the cutting-edge of the fintech practice.
Could you describe your practice in a little more detail?
I practiced dispute resolution and corporate law covering a wide variety of matters as a law firm associate. Since joining a fintech company, however, I have specialized in financial regulation, technology, and cybersecurity.
Could you describe your work on Land Holdings, Inc. v. Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.?
I am grateful to be a part of this landmark case in Philippine law. The central issue that had faced the Philippine Supreme Court was whether a foreign company’s use of its trademark through a website constitutes “actual use” in the Philippines, despite having no physical presence in the country. Representing the foreign company, our team at Romulo Law successfully argued before the Court that the use of a trademark through a website constitutes actual use in our jurisdiction, thereby granting protection to our client’s trademark under Philippine law. It was incredibly exciting to witness the Court adopt a realist approach as it recognized the impact of the internet in its interpretation of trademark law.
What is your motivation for getting an LLM?
Given our increasingly globalized world, it is imperative for lawyers to possess an international perspective of the law — which I believe can be effectively obtained through an American LLM. I also recognize the immense value of taking further studies in dynamic, constantly evolving areas of law like finance, technology, and cybersecurity. Lastly, the Philippine legal system, including several of its key laws, are patterned after those of the United States. Studying American law could impart a better understanding of their Philippine counterparts as well as provide fertile inspiration for the advocacy of new Philippine laws and regulations.
Why did you choose the University of Chicago Law School as the institution at which to get your LLM?
The University of Chicago Law School is one of the most elite law schools in the United States, with a strong reputation for legal critical thinking that I find especially appealing. At around eighty students, the size of the LLM class also hits the “sweet spot” for me, as it ensures an intimate class experience while maintaining group diversity.
What do you plan to do with your LLM?
To complete my exposure to foreign and international laws, I would love to gain foreign work experience, especially in the fields of finance and/or technology. Eventually, however, I want to return to my home country to pass on all the knowledge and experience that I have gained.
What are you most looking forward to in coming to the Law School, the US, and or the city of Chicago?
The University and the entire city of Chicago feature beautiful architecture, which I look forward to seeing in-person. I am also excited to watch at least one NBA game at the historic Chicago Bulls stadium.
Any hobbies or interests you’d like to share?
Coming from the Philippines, I am a devout basketball and NBA fan. In my spare time, I also enjoy playing video games, with my favorite genre being “Souls-like” which are games that have an intense degree of difficulty.
What is a “fun fact” about you?
My surname, Bernardo, means “strong as a bear.”