Spain's Gómez-Acebo & Pombo mourns death of two partners

The firm has announced that its head of real estate Victoria Llavero passed away on 20 March while honorary president and co-founder Ignacio Gómez-Acebo Duque de Estrada died at the weekend.

Llavero died aged just 55 from injuries sustained following a domestic accident, according to a statement from the firm. She was the first female partner to be made up among the top Spanish firms.

Managing partner Manuel Martín said: “We’ve been inundated with expressions not only of shock, condolence and sadness, but also of joyful memories of the wonderfully vibrant, charming and colourful character that Victoria was. She was one of those who combined top-tier professionalism with immense human and personal empathy. We shall miss her enormously.”

Gómez-Acebo was 79. He co-founded the firm alongside Fernando Pombo in 1971. As well as a long career in law Gómez-Acebo was a founding trustee of the University of San Pablo, a trustee of the standing committee of the National Library of Spain and chairman of the European Advisory Committee of the NYSE. He also chaired the boards of a number of companies including Firestone España, Chrysler Financial Corporation, AXA and Nokia España.

Gómez-Acebo was awarded several honours, including the Spanish Grand Cross of Civil Merit. He was appointed an officer of the Order of the British Empire and was made Knight of the Order of the Lion of Finland.

The firm said lawyers and staff were “deeply saddened” by the news and offered condolences to Gómez-Acebo’s family.