Hugo Écija Bernal

Practice Areas

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. He is a leading authority in Media Law, Intellectual Property, and Technology, with a pioneering role in the development of regulatory frameworks for the Internet era and the evolution of digital and audiovisual law.

Career

Since founding ECIJA in 1997, Hugo has spearheaded its exponential growth, including strategic alliances with firms such as Taylor Wessing and the integration of more than 20 firms in recent years. This expansion has positioned ECIJA as the Spanish law firm with the largest presence in Latin America and as a global leader in TMT (Technology, Media, and Telecommunications).

His strategic vision has been acknowledged by international media and rankings such as Chambers & Partners, Legal500, Expansión, El País, Cinco Días, Forbes, and Leaders League, which consistently highlight the excellence and innovation of the firm.

Hugo has been consistently recognized as one of the leading lawyers in Spain and internationally. He has been nominated as Best Managing Partner by The Lawyer, a distinction that highlights his visionary leadership in the legal sector. For 18 consecutive years, he has been ranked as *Tier 1 and Eminent Practitioner in TMT (Media) by Chambers Europe, consolidating his reputation as a benchmark in media and intellectual property law.

His professional excellence has also earned him a place among the Top 10 Lawyers in Spain by Expansión. Beyond rankings, Hugo is an active member of the Hermes Foundation, where he promotes initiatives aimed at fostering digital development and transformation with an ethical focus.

In addition, he has positioned himself as a strong advocate for digital rights, contributing to the protection of citizens in the digital environment, the regulation of digitalization processes, and the creation of solutions that provide guarantees for society in an increasingly technological world.

Personal

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.

Experience

Under his leadership, ECIJA has revolutionized the provision of legal and consulting services in the business and technology sectors, expanding to 17 countries and becoming one of the top-ranked firms in Spain by revenue. He has integrated legal, technological, and consulting expertise to set new standards in professional services.

Recognized as the best Spanish lawyer in media law and intellectual property, Hugo has been ranked as Tier 1 and Eminent Practitioner by Chambers & Partners for 18 consecutive years and nominated as Best Managing Partner by The Lawyer. His early academic work and publications guided professionals in intellectual property, digital contracts, and audiovisual production, laying the groundwork for legal practice in the digital economy.

Additionally, Hugo has advised the European Commission and the Government of Spain on key media and intellectual property legislation, and played a fundamental role in major mergers within the audiovisual sector. He also continues to influence the industry as an international arbitrator and as a member of the boards of leading media and technology companies.

Clients

Hugo has advised governments, multinational corporations, and key players in the technology and audiovisual sectors, including regulators and international institutions shaping digital regulation and innovation.