José Ignacio Saldarriaga Recognised as Lawyer of the Year – Startup at the Forty Under 40 Awards 2026

José Ignacio Saldarriaga Alonso, Partner at EJASO, has been recognised as Lawyer of the Year – Startup at Iberian Lawyer’s Forty Under 40 Awards 2026.

This recognition is particularly special to us for two reasons. On the one hand, it acknowledges José Ignacio’s individual career and professional work. On the other, it continues EJASO’s strong presence in the Startup category at the Forty Under 40 Awards, where our firm has already been recognised in previous editions.

Last year, we celebrated our Innovative Business & Venture Capital team being named Team of the Year – Startup for the third consecutive year. This time, it is José Ignacio who adds a new recognition to this track record, after having been a finalist in the same category in the previous edition.

Iberian Lawyer highlights his entrepreneurial mindset and corporate expertise

In announcing José Ignacio Saldarriaga as the winner of the Lawyer of the Year – Startup category, Iberian Lawyer particularly highlighted his professional profile and knowledge of the entrepreneurial ecosystem:

“The professional is known for his entrepreneurial mindset and strong corporate expertise, his ability to advise founders and investors has made him a distinctive young voice in Iberia’s startup ecosystem.”

Strong representation of EJASO among the Forty Under 40 Awards 2026 finalists

This year’s edition also saw a strong representation of EJASO teams and professionals among the finalists of the Forty Under 40 Awards 2026.

In the team categories, EJASO was a finalist for Team of the Year, as well as in Insolvency & Restructuring, IP, TMT, M&A, M&A Mid-Market, Private Equity, Public Law and Tax.

In the individual categories, the following EJASO professionals were also finalists:

• Patricia Macías García, Lawyer of the Year – Insolvency & Restructuring.

• Rodrigo López Crespo, Lawyer of the Year – IP and Lawyer of the Year – TMT.

• Daniela Leal Vargas, Lawyer of the Year – Private Equity and Lawyer of the Year – Startup.

• David Rodríguez Fidalgo, Lawyer of the Year – Public Law.

• José Ignacio Saldarriaga Alonso, in addition to winning the Startup category, was also a finalist for Lawyer of the Year – M&A and Lawyer of the Year – M&A Mid-Market.

At EJASO, we would like to congratulate José Ignacio on this recognition and extend our congratulations to all our finalist teams and professionals.

Thank you to Iberian Lawyer for once again recognising the work of our professionals. Congratulations, José Ignacio!