Secretary general and global head of legal | Grupo Secuoya
Corporate and legal director | Lantania
Maria Elena Ruiz Paños is a distinguished legal expert with over two decades of experience in international legal affairs, and business negotiations, with a strong focus on the renewable and...
Global general counsel | ACCIONA and Nordex Green hydrogen
Legal advisory corporate director | Grupo Azvi
General counsel, Spain and Portugal | Samsung Electronics
General legal and compliance counsel para España y Latinoamérica | Inetum
General counsel, compliance officer and company secretary | Holcim
Head of legal, risk and insurance and secretary of the board | Transfesa Logistics
Julia is a highly experienced Legal & Risk Director with over 25 years of expertise in corporate and regulatory affairs, having worked across multinational companies in sectors including technology, real...
General counsel, legal and compliance, Iberia and Africa | Otis Elevator
General secretary of the board of directors | Tubacex
Legal director | LaLiga (Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional)
General counsel, compliance director and deputy company secretary | Prosegur
General counsel and secretary of the board | Elecnor
General counsel | Diamond Foundry
Rebeca Brandys has more than two decades of global, broad-ranging transactional and corporate governance experience, including general counsel and legal director roles in public and private technology companies and in...
General counsel for Iberia, Italy and LATAM | Securitas Direct
Global general counsel and vice-secretary of the board of director | Cellnex
After years in the making, we are thrilled to introduce the inaugural edition of the Legal 500’s GC Powerlist: Spain. Following the success of our Iberia and Spain: Latin America Specialists editions, this publication marks a natural and long-anticipated milestone for our team.
Over the past few months, we have had the privilege of engaging with Spain’s most exceptional in-house lawyers, exploring their remarkable achievements, gaining insights into their vast expertise, and celebrating their invaluable contributions to the business and legal landscape. This edition stands as a tribute to their leadership, strategic vision, and unwavering commitment to excellence.
Within these pages, you will find in-depth profiles and exclusive interviews with some of the most influential and highly regarded general counsel across diverse industries. These professionals have consistently demonstrated their ability to navigate complex legal challenges, mitigate risks, and drive business success through their strategic guidance. Their stories serve as an inspiration to the wider legal community, underscoring the pivotal role that in-house lawyers play in shaping their organisations’ growth and resilience.
This first-ever GC Powerlist: Spain also features exclusive discussions on key legal trends and challenges, offering a comprehensive perspective on the evolving role of in-house counsel. We invite you to explore this edition and discover the extraordinary individuals shaping the future of legal leadership in Spain.
On behalf of the Legal 500, I extend my sincere gratitude to all the in-house lawyers featured in this publication for sharing their insights and experiences. It is an honour to present this distinguished list of Spain’s most outstanding and influential legal professionals.
Francisco Faria e Castro | Research Editor | GC Powerlist Series
On 15th May 2025, Legal 500 celebrated the 2025 edition of its GC Powerlist: Austria in the historic offices of CERHA HEMPEL. This year’s Powerlist once again recognises a stellar collection of the country’s top senior in-house counsel, and leading practitioners came together to celebrate their achievement.
The evening commenced with a welcome from Isabel Caine, Event Content Editor at Legal 500, followed by an address from CERHA HEMPEL managing partner Albert Birkner.
Nicole Christ, Head of Legal at RHI Magnesita, then took to the stage to deliver a topical and considered keynote speech on key challenges in-house counsel face in today’s market and some of the curveballs, such as rapid advancements in AI, being thrown their way. Christ spoke to the constant adaptability, resilience and growth expected of general counsel – qualities demonstrated by those in the room.
The convivial atmosphere in the room saw honourees collect their certificates and take their picture with Isabel and Albert, with each other, their colleagues, and with various partners from CERHA HEMPEL. Attendees then enjoyed further networking opportunities, accompanied by drinks and canapés.
Legal 500 would like to thank CERHA HEMPEL for sponsoring the GC Powerlist Austria: 2025 and extend a warm and well-deserved congratulations to everyone who made it onto the list.
