Who are the people behind G&P Law? What does their work involve, and what inspires them? What do they enjoy doing in their free time? We’re sharing all this in a series of interviews as part of our #G&PLawTeam column. The next person we’re introducing is one of the young interns on our team – Valentin Ronchev. Valyo holds a Master’s degree in Law and Technology from Tilburg University in the Netherlands and a Bachelor’s degree in International Law from the same university. His interests lie in corporate and competition law, as well as European legislation and its implementation in Bulgaria. For two consecutive years, he was invited by the European Commission to participate in youth dialogues on competition policy, where he met with former Executive Vice-President of the European Commission Margrethe Vestager and current Commissioner Teresa Ribera. Valentin shares more about his legal interests, future plans, free time, and favorite music in this interview from G&P Law’s team series.
What is your role at the firm?
– I am a trainee in the “Compliance and Regulatory” department. I draft legal claims, translate documents, and research case law related to air passenger rights. I’m grateful to be part of a team that helps me grow and improve every day.
What attracted you to G&P Law?
– The young and ambitious colleagues. The firm’s ethos is to always strive for success and approach our work with curiosity and a desire to learn and grow. That’s how I’d describe myself as well.
When and how did you know this would be your profession?
– I’ve always known. Even when applying to universities, every other option seemed less appealing compared to law. I think it’s due to my love for people, history, and philosophy – after all, these are all humanities. From Ancient Greece to the Roman Empire, law has been in the DNA of European civilization.
What disappointed and what impressed you compared to your expectations?
– As someone who studied abroad, I was disappointed when I had to interact with Bulgarian institutions and saw how chaotic and inefficient things can be. Still, I’m an optimist – such issues don’t discourage me. I believe I have the strength to contribute to change.
What’s the best professional advice you’ve ever received?
– Define as precisely as possible what you truly enjoy. Then do it – no matter what it is or how strange it may seem to others. If you genuinely enjoy it, you’ll become the best at it and be successful.
What do you think are the most important qualities in this profession?
– The ability to speak and write convincingly, a love for reading, a love for people, and the ability to empathize. Only then can you succeed and enjoy your work.
What are the top three things you enjoy most about your job?
– The feeling that my work matters, the opportunity to grow every day, and being part of a team where I can learn from inspiring professionals.
How would you explain your job to your grandmother?
– Grandma, I help people when they have legal problems – for example, if someone owes them money, if they’re unfairly accused, or if they don’t understand what a document says. I read a lot, write documents, talk to people, and try to help them get what they’re entitled to.
How do you envision your profession 10 years from now?
– With the rise of new technologies, the lawyer’s work will become more efficient and faster. That’s not unusual or scary – it’s happening in every sector. What we can do is adapt to the new tools while preserving the classical pillars of law–writing and speech. These shape our thinking, and in the future, this may become our strongest competitive advantage.
What’s your next step in the legal field?
– I’ve been accepted to Tilburg University in the Netherlands for the “Law and Technology” program. It’s essentially a combination of intellectual property, competition law, and AI regulation. I can’t wait to begin.
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working?
– I love running, cycling, working out, and going to the mountains – though the latter is a bit rare in the Netherlands. That’s why I’m always excited to return to Bulgaria.
– Share a favorite song: