Hugo Écija Bernal

Corporate and M&A

Intellectual Property

Technology, Media and Telecommunications

Media

Sports and Entertainment

Hugo Écija is the founder and Executive Chairman of ECIJA, one of the fastest-growing and most innovative firms in Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking markets.

Under his leadership, ECIJA has revolutionized the provision of legal and consulting services in the business and technology sectors, establishing a presence in 17 countries. Since its founding in 1997, ECIJA has experienced exponential growth, consolidating its presence in 17 countries and ranking among the leading firms in Spain, holding the fifth position in revenue.

Recognized as the best Spanish lawyer in media law and intellectual property, he has been distinguished as TIER 1 and Eminent Practitioner by Chambers & Partners for 18 consecutive years and nominated as Best Managing Partner by The Lawyer. His visionary approach has driven the transformation of ECIJA into a multidisciplinary firm, integrating experts in technology, innovation, and law while setting new standards in professional services.

A pioneer in digital and audiovisual law, Hugo has played a key role in developing regulatory frameworks for the Internet era. His early publications were instrumental in guiding professionals in intellectual property, digital contracts, and audiovisual production, laying the foundation for the evolution of law in the digital economy.

Under his strategic leadership, ECIJA has established itself as the leading reference in TMT (Technology, Media, and Telecommunications) in Europe and Latin America. Renowned rankings and publications such as Chambers and Partners, Legal500, Expansión, El País, Cinco Días, Forbes, and Leaders League have recognized ECIJA's excellence.

Additionally, he has led ECIJA's international expansion, including strategic alliances with firms such as Taylor Wessing and the integration of more than 20 firms in recent years, positioning ECIJA as the Spanish firm with the largest presence in Latin America.

He has advised the European Commission and the Government of Spain on legislation concerning media and intellectual property and has played a fundamental role in major mergers within the audiovisual sector. Currently, he continues to influence the industry as an international arbitrator and a member of the boards of directors of prominent media and technology companies.

Advocate for digital rights: works on protecting citizens' rights in the digital environment, regulating the digitalization process, and providing solutions and guarantees for society

Member of the Hermes Foundation, promoting initiatives for digital development and transformation with an ethical approach

Hugo holds a Law Degree and is a Ph.D. candidate in Law at the Autonomous University of Madrid. He earned a Cum Laude in Comparative Law and European Union Law at the University of Oslo, was a Visiting Scholar at Skidmore College in New York, and pursued Business and Management Studies at Southwestern Community College, Oregon, USA.

Autonomous University of Madrid

Law Degree and Ph.D. candidate in Law

University of Oslo, Norway

Cum Laude in Comparative Law and European Union Law

Skidmore College, New York, USA

Visiting Scholar

Southwestern Community College (SWOCC), Oregon, USA

Business and Management Studies

Nominated as Best Managing Partner

The Lawyer

Tier 1 and Eminent Practitioner in TMT (Media), 18 consecutive years

Chambers Europe

Top 10 Lawyers in Spain

Expansión

Spain