Iberian Lawyer Forty under 40 2026, the winners
The winners of the Iberian Lawyer 2026 Forty under 40 awards were announced at the ceremony gala held on Thursday 24th of September at the Palacio de la Prensa in Madrid.
The award ceremony gathered numerous representatives of prestigious law firms of Spain and Portugal to recognise the most promising young lawyers/professionals and teams in the Iberian market. The awards were an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of the top lawyers/professionals and teams under 40 years of age, who will lead the legal profession in the future and deserve to be recognised for their work and dedication in their respective practices.
The winners are the following:
TEAM OF THE YEAR
KPMG Abogados
More than 75% of the firm’s professionals are under 40, making it the firm with the highest number of professionals under 40. A standout legal team distinguished by exceptional technical depth, multidisciplinary expertise and a consistently high standard of client service across complex matters. Its ability to combine specific knowledge with a truly business-focused approach has established it as a trusted adviser to leading organisations across the market.
LAWYER OF THE YEAR
Teresa Novo Faria – Linklaters
A highly regarded practitioner whose expertise spans sophisticated project, structured and acquisition finance, including complex transactions. Her technical precision, commercial awareness and ability to navigate demanding financing structures have earned her a strong reputation in the market.
TEAM OF THE YEAR ARBITRATION
B. Cremades y Asociados
The team has earned its place among Iberia’s leading arbitration practices through its work on complex, high-value disputes requiring strategic vision and exceptional technical expertise. Its deep experience in international arbitration enables it to deliver consistently strong advocacy in the most demanding proceedings.
LAWYER OF THE YEAR ARBITRATION
Carolina Botelho Sampaio – CS’Associados
The professional focuses primarily on domestic and international arbitration. Their work centers mainly on civil, corporate, commercial, construction, energy, and banking law, with a particular emphasis on complex arbitrations involving energy, construction, and post-M&A matters.
TEAM OF THE YEAR BANKING & FINANCE
Abreu Advogados
The highly accomplished team is recognised for its depth of expertise across complex domestic and cross-border transactions, from structured and project finance to distressed assets and regulatory matters. Its combination of technical excellence and industry insight has made it a trusted adviser to major financial players.
LAWYER OF THE YEAR BANKING & FINANCE
Aitor Errasti – Ashurst Perkins Coie
The lawyer is recognised for his exceptional expertise in leveraged, acquisition and multi-jurisdictional financings involving sophisticated international lenders and alternative credit providers. His ability to execute high-value transactions has firmly established him as a leading reference in the market.
LAWYER OF THE YEAR CAPITAL MARKETS
Lázaro García Domínguez – A&O Shearman
This lawyer recognised for his involvement in sophisticated debt transactions, including major bond issuances and innovative securitisation structures. His technical expertise and ability to contribute to landmark transactions have distinguished him within Spain’s increasingly complex capital markets landscape.
LAWYER OF THE YEAR COMMERCIAL LITIGATION
Manuel Martínez González – ZADAL
The young professional is recognised for building a strong litigation practice focused on complex civil, commercial and insolvency matters across high-value sectors. His combination of cross-border experience and deep technical expertise has enabled him to advise on demanding disputes in Spain’s litigation market.
TEAM OF THE YEAR ENERGY
Watson Farley & Williams
A market-leading energy team recognised for its sophisticated work across renewable energy and infrastructure projects. Its deep sector knowledge and pragmatic approach have consistently delivered solutions for investors, sponsors, developers and financial institutions at the forefront of the energy transition.
LAWYER OF THE YEAR ENERGY
João Rocha de Almeida – Eversheds Sutherland Portugal
The professional’s practice has become a distinctive force in Portugal’s energy market, spanning renewable energy, oil & gas, infrastructure and energy disputes. He has led strategically significant, cross-border mandates across Portugal and Lusophone Africa for major international investors, developers and energy companies.
TEAM OF THE YEAR ENERGY RENEWABLES
Pinsent Masons
The team advises on some of Iberia’s most sophisticated renewable energy matters, spanning the development, financing and operation of major projects. Its integrated regulatory, transactional and infrastructure expertise enables it to deliver commercially focused solutions supporting the region’s energy transition.
LAWYER OF THE YEAR ENERGY RENEWABLES
Javier Méndez – Baker Mckenzie
The lawyer brings broad expertise in domestic and international mergers and acquisitions, representing corporate entities and financial investors globally, with a particular focus on advising clients through complex infrastructure and renewable energy initiatives.
LAWYER OF THE YEAR EU & COMPETITION
Efigénia Marabuto Tavares – Andersen
With broad experience spanning the full spectrum of competition law, the lawyer advises on and litigates a wide range of matters, including class actions, merger control, abuse of dominance, anticompetitive agreements. She brings deep expertise and knowledge to every case.
LAWYER OF THE YEAR FINTECH
José Millán – Andersen
Drawing on the extensive experience, the professional advises a diverse range of national and international clients in the banking and asset management sector on all types of legal and regulatory matters, with a strong focus on financial risk management and the latest regulatory trends. His ability to navigate clients’ internal complexities makes him a trusted advisor on even the most challenging matters.
LAWYER OF THE YEAR INFRASTRUCTURE & CONTRUCTIONS
Gonçalo Nogueira – Cuatrecasas
The practitioner is an excellent and dynamic professional who delivers practical solutions, with particular expertise in infrastructure and constructions sector, alongside strong knowledge of real estate and town planning law.
TEAM OF THE YEAR INSOLVENCY & RESTRUCTURING
RSGM Abogados
The team demonstrated exceptional restructuring expertise in a matter that tested the boundaries of Spain’s evolving insolvency framework. Its sophisticated handling of significant legal uncertainty and competing creditor interests highlighted keen understanding of the wider implications for restructuring practice.
LAWYER OF THE YEAR INSOLVENCY & RESTRUCTURING
Ignacio Murillo Piquer – Toda&Nel-lo
Among the most promising practitioners of his generation, he has rapidly established himself as a standout young figure in Spanish insolvency and restructuring. His work on highly complex restructurings and contentious proceedings reflects remarkable technical depth and maturity.
TEAM OF THE YEAR INSURANCE
SPS-Barrilero
The practice combines broad insurance expertise with a pragmatic understanding of the complex regulatory and contentious issues shaping the sector today. Its ability to provide strategic advice across sophisticated insurance matters has established it as a leading force in the Iberian market.
TEAM OF THE YEAR IP
Baptista, Monteverde & Associados
The team combines strong technical knowledge with a commercially focused approach to protecting and enforcing valuable rights. Its work across complex IP matters demonstrates both exceptional sectors understanding and the ability to provide strategic solutions.
LAWYER OF THE YEAR IP
João Peixe – pbbr
The professional has distinguished himself through sophisticated advice on complex IP matters and a strong understanding of the commercial interests behind valuable intangible assets. His strategic approach and growing market profile have marked him out as a notable young practitioner within Iberia’s IP landscape.
TEAM OF THE YEAR TMT
Cerejeira Namora, Marinho Falcão
At the intersection of technology, media and telecommunications, the team stands out for combining deep legal expertise with a clear understanding of rapidly evolving digital and regulatory environments. Its ability to advise on complex TMT matters has reinforced its position as a leading practice in the Iberian market.
LAWYER OF THE YEAR TMT
Ricardo Gómez-Barreda de la Gándara – González Gordon & Gómez-Barreda
This young lawyer is a skilled practitioner with a proven track record of advising both domestic and international clients in technology-focused and media-related sectors. His work covers areas including media, telecommunications, digital platforms, and forward-thinking businesses navigating fast-changing regulatory landscapes.
TEAM OF THE YEAR LABOUR
Garrigues
The firm boasts a competitive and highly skilled team that ensures exceptional efficiency and service. The team is regularly engaged to manage large-scale collective redundancies, employee restructurings and collective bargaining agreements, providing advice on negotiations with trade unions.
LAWYER OF THE YEAR LABOUR
Tiago de Magalhães – CMS Portugal
Combining deep experience of employment law with a distinctly forward-looking perspective, he has become a trusted adviser on some of the workplace issues reshaping modern businesses. His expertise in labour and social security matters sets him apart as a practitioner attuned to both legal and business realities.
LAWYER OF THE YEAR LIFE SCIENCES & PHARMA
Eduardo Buitrón – Eversheds Sutherland Spain
The professional brings together a distinctive blend of private practice, in-house pharmaceutical experience and IP expertise within the life sciences sector. His work across patent litigation, trade secrets, licensing and technology transfer has made him a trusted adviser among clients.
TEAM OF THE YEAR LITIGATION
Sérvulo & Associados
By consistently managing complex disputes with strategic precision, the team has demonstrated strong capabilities across all areas of litigation, combining industry insight with a practical approach.
LAWYER OF THE YEAR LITIGATION
Marta Montes Jiménez – BROSETA
Having risen to lead a litigation department at a remarkably young stage of her career, she has distinguished herself through the strategic management of complex proceedings. Her expertise of coordination sophisticated disputes has made her a standout figure in Spain’s next generation of litigation practitioners.
TEAM OF THE YEAR M&A
Gómez-Acebo & Pombo
Complex transactions, strategic investments and cross-border mandates have defined another exceptional year for the team. The professionals demonstrate strategic oversight, strong technical expertise and commercial acumen while advising on the complex transactions.
LAWYER OF THE YEAR M&A
Rocío García – Squire Patton Boggs
She has rapidly emerged as a leading adviser on sophisticated domestic and cross-border transactions. Her work on major acquisitions, joint ventures and strategic investments reflects both exceptional transactional ability and a growing position among Iberia’s leading young M&A practitioners.
LAWYER OF THE YEAR M&A MID-MARKET
Miguel Lobón García – CECA MAGÁN Abogados
The professional demonstrated exceptional command of the complexities inherent in mid-market transactions. His strategic oversight, negotiation of bespoke rights and coordination of the entire transaction were instrumental in securing a successful outcome for the investors.
LAWYER OF THE YEAR M&A IMPACT INVESTMENT
Lourdes Amigó de Bonet Ibañes – RocaJunyent
This professional is at the forefront of Spain’s rapidly evolving impact investment market, where she advises on transactions that pursue both financial returns and measurable social and environmental outcomes.
TEAM OF THE YEAR PRIVATE EQUITY
Addleshaw Goddard
A sophisticated private equity practice recognised for its ability to advise on complex investments, acquisitions and strategic transactions across the full investment lifecycle. The transactional expertise and international reach have enabled clients to execute high-value investments in an increasingly competitive market.
LAWYER OF THE YEAR PRIVATE EQUITY
Bárbara Rodrigues Ferreira – CCSL Advogados
She has earned recognition for advising investors and companies on complex private equity investments, corporate transactions and strategic matters. Combining strong technical expertise with commercial judgement, she has emerged as an impressive young practitioner within Portugal’s private equity market.
TEAM OF THE YEAR PUBLIC LAW
EY Abogados
Blending deep regulatory insight with a strong understanding of the business landscape, the team has delivered exceptional guidance on complex public law and administrative matters. Their diverse perspective has established them as a reliable partner for strategically vital projects.
LAWYER OF THE YEAR PUBLIC LAW
Helena Villena Romera – Gómez-Acebo & Pombo
The lawyer has established herself as a notable young practitioner in Spain’s public law market. Her practice focuses on the intersection of public law, regulation and complex business interests, where she has built a strong reputation for navigating demanding administrative and regulatory matters.
TEAM OF THE YEAR REAL ESTATE
act legal Spain
The team advises national and international clients on real estate, urban planning, and public procurement matters, covering transactions, development, asset management, and regulatory procedures. Their practical, solution-oriented approach helps clients navigate complex legal and regulatory frameworks.
LAWYER OF THE YEAR REAL ESTATE
Pablo Vacas Vieira – Dentons
With a practice spanning sophisticated real estate transactions, development projects and complex property matters, he has distinguished himself through his ability to combine technical precision with commercial pragmatism.
LAWYER OF THE YEAR STARTUP
José Ignacio Saldarriaga Alonso – EJASO
The professional is known for his entrepreneurial mindset and strong corporate expertise, his ability to advise founders and investors has made him a distinctive young voice in Iberia’s startup ecosystem.
TEAM OF THE YEAR TAX
Dower
Renowned for their technical expertise and tailored strategies in handling intricate tax challenges, the team consistently turns complicated regulations into practical, business-driven solutions. This capability has solidified their standing as an indispensable partner in the market.
PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR TAX
Luis Miguel Larriba Flores – LRB Tax & Legal
The professional is recognised for his sharp understanding of clients’ commercial and strategic priorities. His ability to provide practical, tailored advice on complex tax issues demonstrates both exceptional professional judgement and a strong position within Spain’s tax market.
TEAM OF THE YEAR TAX HNWI
Lener
Composed of highly skilled and client-oriented professionals, the team excel in providing sophisticated tax strategies, wealth planning, and international mobility solutions for high-net-worth clients and family groups.
PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR TAX HNWI
Álvaro Checa – KINSHIP
The professional has built a practice focused on the complex needs of high-net-worth individuals and their families. His ability to navigate personal wealth structures, succession considerations and cross-border tax matters has established him as a trusted adviser in the increasingly international HNWI market.
TEAM OF THE YEAR WHITE COLLAR CRIME
Fukuro Legal
Operating at the intersection of criminal law, corporate risk and complex investigations, the team has demonstrated exceptional ability in matters where legal strategy and reputational considerations are equally critical. Its rigorous approach has established a strong profile in the increasingly sophisticated white collar crime landscape.
LAWYER OF THE YEAR WHITE COLLAR CRIME
Rui Costa Pereira – MFA Legal & Tech
The professional has built a distinctive white collar crime practice, combining sophisticated criminal defence with a strong understanding of technology and the increasingly complex risks facing businesses.
LAWYER OF THE YEAR GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE
Beatriz Uriarte Arreba – Ospina Abogados
The professional specializes in sexual crimes and gender-based violence and leads the Criminal Litigation Division. Her work reflects a strong commitment to justice, dignity, and protecting the rights of those affected by gender-based violence.
RECONOCIMIENTO ESPECIAL
Juan Gonzalo Ospina
After years of leading Ospina Abogados and building a respected name in Madrid’s white collar crime law market, its founder and managing partner is stepping into a diplomatic arena, representing Colombia in Belgium, Luxembourg, the European Union and NATO. The same judgment, discipline, and advocacy that defined years of legal practice will serve just as powerfully in this new diplomatic role.
