Ruben Pelaez Moral (Management of Intellectual Property LLM, 2025)
Tell us about your background and you did before your studies at Centre for Commercial Law Studies?
My name is Ruben. I’m from Spain and left my family home four years ago to study pharmacology at King’s College London. During my studies, I pursued biochemical research at Cambridge, working at The Babraham Institute. While I found this research incredibly rewarding, I realised lab work wasn’t right for me. I have always been curious about exploring different fields, so when a friend introduced me to the world of patents, I quickly became interested in intellectual property (IP).
Why did you choose to study at CCLS?
After attending an offer holder day at Queen Mary’s Centre for Commercial Law Studies (CCLS) and meeting Dr. Jasem Tarawneh, a Senior Lecturer in Commercial and Intellectual Property Law, I felt reassured and inspired to follow this new path. My parents supported my career change but encouraged me to find part-time work to help fund my studies. What I hadn’t anticipated, though, was just how demanding the course would be.
How were things before you received the Herchel Smith Scholarship funding?
When I discovered the Herschel Smith scholarship, I knew I had to apply. Receiving this support was incredible, it gave me the confidence to fully commit to my career change, and it felt like someone else believed in me and this support that made all the difference. I’m certain I would have pursued this path regardless, but without the scholarship, balancing paid work with my studies would have been incredibly challenging. Thanks to this support, I now have the time to volunteer with QLegal, where I can apply what I’m learning to real-world scenarios, gaining skills that directly relate to my studies and future career in IP.
Learning more about Herchel Smith’s life and work has been very inspiring, and in many ways, I relate to his journey. The late Herchel Smith has become a role model for me, and it’s an honour to be a part of his legacy.
Do you think financial worries weigh heavily on students?
The financial pressures on international students are intense, and I know firsthand how scholarships like this one provide much-needed assistance. This scholarship has not only given me the freedom to study but has also connected me with a network of professionals. Recently, I met with the Mishcon de Reya team to thank them in person, and it was an incredible opportunity to get to know such a welcoming and professional group of people who made my studies here possible.
What are your plans for the future?
Looking to the future, I am genuinely excited by the opportunities this field can offer and I am looking forward to expanding my understanding of IP law. I hope to continue living in London as I venture into this new career to eventually become a patent attorney.
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