An Interview with Marla Vanessa Bojorge Zúñiga, Bojorge & Associates Founder: ‘I Felt in a Box and Wanted to Fly and Discover the World’

“I do not feel comfortable following what others were doing in their business.”

As businesses undergo a transformation—in areas ranging from culture to technology—and enter whole new sectors, corporate law firms are changing with it, remaking their use of technology and moving into new fields of practice from blockchain management to cybersecurity. The corporate law industry is currently witnessing an upswing across the world.

In light of the foregoing, we’re thrilled to present Bojorge & Associates — an international corporate and immigration law firm. It’s located in Valencia, Spain.

Elements: That Aid Bojorge & Associates Stay Ahead of the Curve

Primarily, Bojorge & Associates practices immigration law and assists with Spain visas and travel, but the firm is diverse incapacity. It assists in proceedings and representation services mainly in Spanish immigration law. “We provide businesses, employees, foreign resident citizens and foreign non-resident citizens with legal and consulting services in the areas of visa, immigration and business resources for opportunity.”

Spain: Europe’s Greatest Business Destination

Spain, the second-largest country in Europe, is so diverse there is something for everyone. The country is located in southwestern Europe in the Iberian Peninsula. It is surrounded by the Mediterranean to the east and to the south, Portugal to the west, the Atlantic to the southwest, and France, Andorra, and the Bay of Biscay to the north. The Balearic and Canary Islands are also part of Spain.

Whether you enjoy the beach, mountains, dry plains, tropical climates, skiing, trekking, long sandy beaches, hidden rocky coves, crisp cold mornings, long warm evenings, sitting by a warm fire watching it snow or sitting on a deckchair in the sun, sleepy rural villages, or some of Europe’s most modern cities, it’s there for you. Modern and affordable public transportation makes seeing the entire country comfortable and within reach of everyone.

The Spanish people are fun-loving and family-oriented. Bars open late, eating out is cheap and people are generally very relaxed. Spain is child-friendly too: on an ordinary Saturday night in most cities you’ll find everyone from young children to grandparents on the streets and in restaurants having a good time. Since the Spanish birthrate is low, children are doted on and grow up in a caring, multi-cultural environment. There is a wide range of educational options, from Spanish public schools to British schools to completely bilingual schools. Children also have the opportunity to experience extended family life, since older folk in Spain usually remain in the family home, instead of moving into nursing homes.

The cost of living in Spain is somewhat lower than the rest of the EU, and taxes are also lower. EU citizens have the same job rights and privileges as Spanish citizens, and they can work as freelancers or start their own companies in the same way as Spaniards do.

Consultations are provided to corporations as well as individuals concerning the following aspects of Spanish Immigration law: Acquiring Spanish Nationality, Employment-Based Immigrant Visas, Tourist Visa and Letter of Invitation, Application for self-employment visa, Business Visitor, European Union Citizen Permit.

Marla Vanessa Bojorge Zúñiga, Bojorge & Associates Founder, spoke exclusively to The Silicon Review. Below is an excerpt.

Why was the company set up?

I do not feel comfortable following what others were doing in their business. Perhaps I was not a good asset for them; therefore, I only follow my own rules and strong ethical standard. I felt in a box and wanted to fly and discover the world.

What challenges did you face in your initial years?

Lack of budget, the policy of being a friend firstly, instead of being a professional, others watched me as a competitor instead of a colleague or a potential collaborator. There were different points of view, be rejected by some Spanish lawyers, or starting from “zero”. Hopefully, this is over. The crisis put everyone in Spain at the same level.

What kind of responses have you received from your consumers over the years? How have they motivated you to shape your offerings/grow the company?

Since the very beginning, they appreciated my work that I understood their difficulties and provided solutions.

Building a culture of sustainability inside an organization is very important to maintain a reputation in the global market. How is it true for your company?

Last year, I joined the workshop of the business sector about Agenda 2030 in Spain and do agree with it. Obviously, it takes time and effort to do things as you wish, but I try to do my best.

Is your company a ‘leader or follower’? Do you formulate your own core values?

Totally! I do not follow anyone. In fact, the majority of times I work alone.

Is it true that striving for both ethics and success in a business is a tough feat?

No, I think ethics is the base of a strong project. Success comes later.

What do you feel are the reasons behind your company’s reputation?

Each person is unique. Each person has his/her own opinion. Perhaps trust, emotions, and hard work.

Where do you see your company a couple of years from now?

Honestly, I do not have a specific plan. Every day, I walk a little step.

Marla Vanessa Bojorge Zúñiga: A Promising Leader

Marla Bojorge is the owner of Bojorge & Associates. The firm specializes in finding the right legal solution for each client’s unique circumstances. Ms Bojorge previously trained in Switzerland (Tribunal de Première Instance Suisse) and the United States (Kavanagh Maloney & Osnato LLP Manhattan, New York), and is a member of the International Association of Lawyers (UIA) until September 2019. She’s also a member of the IBA (International Bar Association).

Ms. Bojorge received her law degree in Spain (1995) and her master’s degree in business (2005). After living in Beijing, she obtained a further degree in law (2008).

She is a fellow of the Centre for International Legal Studies (CILS), Austria.

Marla is the sole contributor to the Spanish chapter of the Global Business Immigration Handbook, published by Carswell (2011), the Global Mobility Handbook 2013 and 2015, published by ILW.COM and LawQuest in India, and the Spanish chapter of The International Comparative Legal Guide to Corporate Immigration 2019 published by ICLG. She is also a contributor to publications by Kluwer Law International, International Law Office (2012) and UIA Newsletters.

She has been recognized by Corporate INTL, ACQ Global Awards, Legal Comprehensive (including recognition in its Top 100 list) , Lawyer Monthly (as winner of the Women in Law Award), Acquisition International, Lawyers World, Lawyers Worldwide Awards, Worldwide Financial Advisor Awards, Corporate Vision (as winner of a European Corporate Excellence Award), Corporate Live Wire, Global Leading Lawyers, Finance Monthly, AI Global Media, Global Business Awards, Corporate Insider (as winner of a Business Excellence Award), Global 100 Awards, ICFM Global Awards, Global Business Insight, and Thought Leaders: Brexit (2017 and 2018).

Marla has participated as a speaker at the IBA and the UIA.

“Since the very beginning, the clients appreciated my work that I understood their difficulties and provided solutions.”