My name is JUDr Júlia Hoffmanová, LL.M., and I graduated from GYMES in 2018 under the guidance of my class teacher ThLic Tomáš Filip, PhD, who was not only our teacher but also an important mentor on our path to adulthood. My studies at the grammar school provided me with a strong foundation and important values that continue to shape both my personal and professional life. After finishing secondary school, I continued my studies at the Faculty of Law of Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, where in 2023 I successfully obtained the degree of Mgr in Law. Already during my university studies I actively participated in several academic projects and gained practical experience in various fields of law, which allowed me to develop critical thinking and the ability to deal with complex problems.

My professional journey has continued in both the academic and practical spheres. In 2024 I defended my rigorous thesis and obtained the degree of JUDr. Alongside active legal practice in the dynamic environments of law firms and the start-up scene, I am currently pursuing doctoral studies at the Department of Financial Law, Tax Law and Economics at the Faculty of Law of Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, where I focus on research into current issues in financial and tax law. In addition to my doctoral studies, I have further expanded my education through LL.M. studies, which deepened my professional knowledge and contributed to my professional development. I hope that in 2026 my efforts will culminate in the successful defence of my dissertation and the award of the PhD degree.

My current work in a start-up allows me to apply my legal expertise fully within the dynamic environment of business, while my doctoral studies present both a challenge and an opportunity to explore more deeply the world of scholarship, law and economic relations. In addition, I am working intensively on my own project focused on providing legal assistance, although for now I will keep the specific details as a surprise for the future.

For me, GYMES has been and will always remain a fundamental pillar on my path towards personal and professional growth.

How did you perceive the atmosphere at school during your studies?

I will always remember my time at GYMES above all because of the exceptional atmosphere that prevailed throughout the school during my studies. I cannot recall a single day that felt dull or uninteresting. Whether it was the various activities organised by the student council, the daily entertainment provided by the school radio that brightened our breaks with cheerful songs and witty remarks, or the lessons themselves. A great deal of credit for this wonderful atmosphere belongs to our teachers, who constantly encouraged and motivated us and always approached us with good humour and a willingness to help.

Have any of your friendships from GYMES lasted until today?

Thanks to that positive atmosphere, friendships formed during my time at the grammar school that have lasted until today. They are truly lifelong relationships. Of course, the intensity of some friendships naturally changes over time, yet whenever I meet former classmates we immediately begin recalling nostalgic memories and it feels as if we are once again sitting together in the classrooms of GYMES. I also especially value the friendships I formed with some of my teachers, who were not only educators but also inspiring role models and mentors. I still keep in contact with them, and their advice and support remain very valuable to me.

If GYMES were a film, what genre would it be and what would its title be? Why?

If I had to describe GYMES as a film, its title would definitely be Fast and Furious. I believe that perfectly captures the dynamism, energy and adventure that accompanied us throughout our studies.