My name is León Fernando Del Canto—and I am, irredeemably, a lawyer. By birth, in a way, though more recently, I might say, a born-again one. My father was a lawyer, and he didn’t exactly leave me the option to study philosophy, which was my true passion.

It took me some decades to realise that law is, in fact, a natural path for a philosopher—not just in theory, but in practice

Though I spent time in some big firms, I was always too much of an Andalusian anarchist to accept rigid hierarchies. I chose instead the path of the independent practitioner. In the English Bar, under the Chambers system, I found a culture where one can work interdependently—alongside others, while maintaining one’s own voice and approach. For that, I’m grateful.

For almost three decades now, as a dual-qualified Barrister and Abogado, I’ve worked in international advocacy across Europe, the USA, Latin America, the Middle East, and India. This journey has taught me that law is not just a profession—it’s a way of engaging with the world. My readings in critical legal theory and ongoing sociolegal studies have only deepened that conviction.

After many years in family, commercial, and non-profit law, I’ve seen the glories and miseries of humanity—and my own, even more so. That experience led me to explore the deeper role we play as lawyers in society.

For many of us, combining legal practice with social activism keeps us steady. For others, academic research and public debate offer a sense of direction. I believe in lifelong learning. At 57, I’m completing a PhD at the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies in London, with a focus on how lawyers influence access to justice—for better or worse.

This blog is a space for personal reflection—on law, society, and philosophy. It’s rooted in lived experience, informed by cultural diversity, and mindful of a global sociopolitical reality demanding attention.