Almudena Arpón de Mendivil, IBA Vice President in the Aptissimi Awards

The International Bar Association (IBA) is the recipient of the 2021 Aptissimi award for Contribution to the Legal Sector and Society. Organised by the ESADE Alumni Law Club, the Award recognises the outstanding contribution of organisations and individuals to the development of, or innovations in, business law as well as positive impacts on society.

Patricia Valenti, Director of ESADE Alumni, commented: ‘Among the many merits of the IBA, the panel has especially valued its leading role in the global development of the profession and its values since its founding more than 70 years ago, highlighting the promotion of human rights, the rule of law and the administration of justice. The IBA is a global reference point for the legal profession and notably contributes to shaping the profession. The IBA is the most important worldwide association of international lawyers and has proven to be an unparalleled forum for legal professionals to meet and debate, with a large social impact beyond a strictly legal sense.’

Now in their 13th year, the Aptissimi – Latin for the most competent – Awards were introduced to acknowledge individual or institutional ethos and endeavours that align with the core values of the global business and law school ESADE; integrity, sensitivity, diversity, contributing to the common good and working towards a fairer and more sustainable society.

IBA reaction to receiving the Aptissimi Award for the Contribution to the Legal Sector and Society includes:

IBA President Sternford Moyo, Senior Partner and Chairman at Scanlen & Holderness in Zimbabwe, commented: ‘The Aptissimi Awards have long been a marker of excellence.
It is a great honour for the International Bar Association to be recognised by such a key player in the field of legal education as ESADE. We are proud to be a leader in the global development of the legal profession, and to play a part in shaping it for the good of society.’

Almudena Arpón de Mendívil, IBA Vice President and Partner at Gómez-Acebo & Pombo in Madrid, said: ‘This award is a great honour for the International Bar Association and for the entire legal sector. The IBA was formed under the conviction that it may, and must, contribute to stability, to global peace, to progress and ultimately to the promotion and protection of the Rule of Law. Since its founding, and thanks to the work of so many volunteers everywhere and of a great executive team, the IBA contributes to the building of a robust legal sector where business law practitioners and ESADE, as a leader in legal education in Spain, have a principal role.’

IBA Executive Director, Dr Mark Ellis, added: ‘In conferring this accolade on the International Bar Association, the judging panel has recognised the IBA’s key contribution to the global development of the legal profession, as well as its focus on the promotion of human rights, the rule of law and access to justice. It is humbling to be recognised for the strides we have made in these areas.’

The award ceremony took place on Thursday 7 October 2021 in Barcelona, Spain. Ms Arpón de Mendívil received the award on behalf of the organisation.