In a vast pool of successful law professionals around the world, Maria Nadine Concepcion Velasco Baligod, usually referred to as Nadine Baligod, has created her own niche by servicing two jurisdictions with contrasting legal concepts: the Philippines, a civil law state, and the United Kingdom, a common law state.
Atty. Nadine Baligod presently works as a dual-qualified lawyer as a Philippine attorney and a UK solicitor for England and Wales, seamlessly stitching together a career that crosses over different legal jurisdictions. She practices in the highly specialized area of Family Law, which focuses on matters concerning children, marriage, divorce, and domestic abuse, and in Private Client services, having recently obtained certification as an expert in the administration and settlement of deceased estates, wills, and trusts.
In an industry often challenged by geographic boundaries, Atty. Baligod shines as a beacon of legal prowess that extends beyond her native soil. Her fair, non-contentious, and compassionate approach as a lawyer has been deeply rooted in the timeless teachings imparted in her educational journey, which includes the University of Saint Louis Tuguegarao (USLT). During her time as a student, she actively represented USLT in various competitions and served as the Editor-in-Chief of Blue and White in her senior year. As a distinguished alumna of the university’s 2004 batch of high school graduates, she has consistently upheld and exemplified the Louisian values instilled in her as a student in her professional pursuits.
After high school, Atty. Baligod went on to pursue her higher education at the University of Santo Tomas, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in commerce in 2008, then pursued her Juris Doctorate at San Sebastian College Recoletos-Manila. She graduated law school in 2013 and passed the Philippine Bar examinations held in the same year with distinction. After gaining experience for two years at a boutique law firm whose practice spanned from Luzon to Mindanao, she transitioned into a sole practitioner and a full-time consultant in 2015 for different law firms until she left with her family for the United Kingdom in 2019.
In the United Kingdom, Atty. Baligod hurdled the lengthy and grueling Qualified Lawyers Transfer Scheme (Solicitors Qualifying Exam) offered to lawyers from other jurisdictions so she could practice as a Solicitor for England and Wales. She was eventually admitted in March 2021, and soon after, she established Baligod Law & Co. Ltd. in June 2021. She shared that she is offering her services as a consultant for up to five different law firms across England and Wales while continuously handling Philippine law matters through her associates in the Philippines. In September 2022, she opened her own office to the public, catering to British and Filipinos with complex concerns about English and Philippine laws.
Atty. Baligod shared that she chose to specialize in family disputes, wills, estates, and trusts because she finds satisfaction and fulfillment in helping individuals achieve happiness in life and contentment in their legacies. With her personal yet pragmatic approach, she has garnered a good following, commendable referrals, and positive feedback. The effective integration of her expertise with a genuine desire to help others further exemplifies her commitment that transcends monetary gains.
Recognizing the essential value of the continuous pursuit of learning, Atty. Baligod’s resolute dedication to her profession epitomizes the significance of Christian education. May her finesse as an accomplished lawyer stand as an inspiration to the generations to come, urging them to embrace the transformative power of education.
