Legal cooperation and European leadership at the 7th Spanish-French Summit of the IBA

The 7th Spanish-French Summit of the International Bar Association (IBA) brought together more than 180 representatives from large law firms, companies, and institutions yesterday at the Madrid Bar Association. The meeting, organized by the leading law firms in both countries, established itself as a key forum for legal and political dialogue between Spain and France, addressing current international issues, the role of the European Union, and bilateral relations between the two countries.

Cooperation and European commitment

The president of the IBA 2023-2024 and partner at Gómez-Acebo & Pombo, Almudena Arpón de Mendívil, opened the meeting by emphasizing the importance of strengthening ties between the two countries, which represent a quarter of European GDP. For her part, the French ambassador to Spain, Karen Rispal, highlighted the key role that France and Spain can play in promoting European projects, while the dean of the ICAM, Eugenio Ribón, defended the need to redouble efforts to protect democracy and the rule of law.

Among the prominent figures participating were Soraya Sáenz de Santamaría, Miquel Roca Junyent, and Íñigo Méndez de Vigo, who reflected on Europe’s role in the face of global challenges. Sáenz de Santamaría called for a common narrative among democracies in the face of polarization, while Roca Junyent insisted on the need to reform the EU’s governance mechanisms and praised the figure of the lawyer as an example of dialogue and cooperation.

Economy, defense, and regulation: key topics of debate

The round tables addressed highly relevant issues, such as the regulatory burden on corporate operations, the rise of sovereign wealth funds in strategic sectors, and Franco-Spanish industrial cooperation. The role of the defense sector in the future of Europe was also analyzed, highlighting the urgency of true strategic coordination between member states.

International law firms and sponsors

The Summit was organized by firms such as August Debouzy, BDGS, Bredin Prat, Cuatrecasas, De Pardieu Brocas Maffei, Garrigues, Gide Loyrette Nouel, Gómez-Acebo & Pombo, Pérez-Llorca, RocaJunyent, and Uría Menéndez, with the support of sponsors such as Grupo Karnov (Aranzadi LA LEY and Lamy Liaisons), IE Law School, and Veolia.

Arpón de Mendívil closed the meeting by emphasizing that “in turbulent times, large countries such as France and Spain must assume a more relevant role in Europe. As facilitators of consensus and respect for the law, lawyers must set an example in contributing to this common goal.”