Manuel Deó

Manuel Deó – Co-Founder & Co-CEO, Ambar

Manuel Deó is the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Ambar, the largest curated community of elite independent lawyers across the world. As a visionary leader, he has redefined the delivery of sophisticated legal services by building a legal ecosystem where top-tier lawyers operate independently, while remaining fully connected to the needs of high-end corporate clients.

Since launching Ambar, Manuel has led the growth of a community now exceeding 400 senior lawyers and the successful management of nearly 1,000 complex legal projects for multinational companies, investment funds, and listed entities. Under his leadership, Ambar has become a benchmark for innovation and quality in the legal industry, pioneering a model based on flexibility, excellence, and business-minded legal support.

Manuel is also the creator of Doctor No, the most influential legal newsletter, followed by thousands of General Counsels seeking to transform their legal departments. Through it, he shares practical insights on leadership, legal operations, AI, and strategy.

Prior to founding Ambar, Manuel was a Corporate Partner at Latham & Watkins LLP, where he led the firm’s Corporate practice in Spain and was the only homegrown partner of the US firm in the country. His earlier experience includes a secondment in New York and several years at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer.

Recognized as one of Forbes’ “100 Most Creative People in Business,” Manuel has also been named one of Iberian Lawyer’s “30 Best Lawyers in Spain,” and ranked Band 1 in Chambers Global. His unique career path and transformative work have earned him a reputation as one of the most inspiring and forward-thinking legal leaders in Europe today.