Almudena Arpón de Mendívil (Gómez-Acebo & Pombo), Esteve Healthcare, MOEVE and the International Association of Young Lawyers receive Esade Alumni’s ‘Aptíssimi’ Awards
Esade Alumni, the academic institution’s alumni association, has honoured Almudena Arpón de Mendívil, partner at Gómez-Acebo & Pombo; Esteve Healthcare; MOEVE; and the International Association of Young Lawyers at the 18th edition of the ‘Aptíssimi’ Awards for Business Law. Each year, the awards recognise lawyers, academics, institutions and legal departments that contribute to the development of business law in Spain and its international standing.
Organised by the Esade Alumni Law Club, the awards were presented at the Fábrica de Tapices in Madrid, at a ceremony bringing together professionals from law firms, companies and institutions. The awards comprise four categories: Lifetime Achievement, Best Corporate Legal Department, Best Innovative Legal Project, and Contribution to the Legal Sector and Society. The jury is made up of representatives from leading law firms, companies and institutions that collaborate with Esade. Through this initiative, Esade Alumni reaffirms its commitment to ethical leadership, professional excellence and building a legal community with social impact.
The winners of the 18th edition
The Lifetime Achievement award went to Almudena Arpón de Mendívil, partner at Gómez-Acebo & Pombo and Honorary Life President of the International Bar Association (IBA), for her career as a leading figure in business law in Spain and internationally. The jury highlighted her work as a corporate partner and head of the firm’s TMT practice, as well as her expertise in telecommunications, audiovisual media and new technologies, sectors in which Chambers & Partners and Legal 500 consistently rank her among the market’s leading practitioners. It also recognised her work at the helm of the IBA, the world’s largest organisation for the legal profession, of which she was the second female president, and her “ethical, inclusive leadership, committed to gender equality and social action”.
Esteve Healthcare received the award for Best Corporate Legal Department for the high level of professionalism of its legal function and the specialist expertise of a team with cross-functional and international profiles. The jury praised its “close ties with all areas of the business and its role as a strategic partner sharing responsibility for business decisions”. It also highlighted the work of its Legal Operations team in driving efficiency, digitalisation and the responsible adoption of new technologies. Its initiatives include automating decisions on jurisdiction and arbitration clauses across different jurisdictions, developing proprietary digital tools for Contract Lifecycle Management, and incorporating artificial intelligence solutions. Daniel Girona, Chief Legal Officer at Esteve Healthcare, accepted the award.
The award for Best Innovative Legal Project went to MOEVE for the pioneering work of its legal team on the Onuba project, the first phase of the Andalusian Green Hydrogen Valley. The jury recognised the ability of its Legal & Assurance department to devise legal solutions beyond conventional contractual frameworks in a regulatory environment still taking shape, with “creativity, rigour and strategic vision”. The award also highlights its role as a close business partner and the creation, for the first time, of a dedicated legal project management office (Legal PMO) to coordinate the areas of expertise involved. The jury also praised its commitment to in-house talent and the project’s alignment with the company’s sustainability and social commitments. Virginia Beltramini, Director of Legal & Assurance and Secretary to the Board of MOEVE, accepted the award.
The International Association of Young Lawyers (AIJA) was honoured in the Contribution to the Legal Sector and Society category for its commitment to developing the legal profession, supporting young lawyers’ professional growth, and defending the rule of law and human rights worldwide. The jury praised its contribution to the internationalisation of the legal profession and its work to promote professional excellence, diversity and social responsibility. Through its international activities and training programmes, AIJA encourages the exchange of knowledge and experience, cross-border cooperation, and the development of skills and professional networks, strengthening ties within the international legal community. Delia Castaños, AIJA’s National Representative in Spain, accepted the award.
Eighteen editions recognising legal excellence
Throughout their history, the ‘Aptíssimi’ Awards have honoured legal professionals such as José María Alonso Puig, Miquel Roca Junyent, Rodrigo Uría, Fernando Pombo, José Pedro Pérez-Llorca, Gaspar Ariño and Cándido Paz-Ares, and academics such as Christian Armbrüster, Barry Carter and David O. Wilkins. They have also recognised the legal departments of Aena, Abertis, Inditex, Ferrovial, CaixaBank, Telefónica España, ACCIONA, Grupo MASMOVIL, Iberdrola and Ilunion, and institutions such as the CNMV, Spain’s State Legal Service, the International Chamber of Commerce, the Court of Justice of the European Union, the IBA, the CNMC, Fundación Pro Bono España and the Association of Corporate Counsel.
The 18th edition was supported by platinum sponsors Baker & McKenzie Abogados, BDO Abogados, Clifford Chance Abogados, Cuatrecasas, Gonçalves Pereira, S.L.P., EY, Garrigues, Abogados y Asesores Tributarios, Gómez-Acebo & Pombo Abogados, S.L.P., KPMG, Osborne Clarke, Pedrosa Lagos, Pérez-Llorca, Roca Junyent, S.L.P., Rosaud Costas Durán Abogados and Uría Menéndez, S.L.P.; by Harvey as a sponsor; and by gold sponsors A&O Shearman, AGM Abogados, Andersen, Anzizu Barba & Castellanos, Broseta, Cases & Lacambra, Ceca Magán Abogados, CMS Albiñana Suárez de Lezo, Crowe, Fieldfisher, FILS and PwC Tax & Legal.