FEMMES À L’HONNEUR | WOMEN IN THE SPOTLIGHT | MUJERES PROMINENTES

EMILIA ZABALLOS PULIDO

ASEME
Spain

A lawyer with an extensive and distinguished career in the legal field, the work of the candidate, Emilia Zaballos, in the practice of law has transcended conventional boundaries, standing out not only for her professional excellence but also for her unwavering commitment to promoting gender equality and advancing female leadership in executive positions.

Emilia Zaballos has established herself as an outstanding figure in the legal sphere, consistently demonstrating a steadfast commitment to defending the fundamental principles of justice and equity throughout her career.

Her professional journey has been marked by exemplary performance in cases addressing issues of equality and human rights, making a significant difference in the lives of her clients and contributing to the advancement of social justice.

In addition to her success in the courtroom, Emilia Zaballos has shown exceptional dedication to equality in all its forms, leading numerous initiatives and projects aimed at promoting diversity and inclusion within the legal sector. She has helped create a work environment that values fairness and justice. Her efforts have been instrumental in raising awareness about the importance of gender, racial, and identity equality both within and beyond the legal profession.

With over 30 years of experience in the legal field, Emilia Zaballos has played a key role in numerous high-profile legal cases, demonstrating exceptional skill and an unwavering commitment to justice and equality. The cases of Anabel Segura, Sandra Palo, and Romina Celeste have contributed to her prestige and recognition as an outstanding jurist.
Her contribution to the field of law has left a significant mark, establishing her as a respected and admired figure in the legal community of the Community of Madrid and throughout the country.
Founder and CEO of the firm Zaballos Abogados, a multidisciplinary law office where she sets the strategic direction for business management while coordinating and leading various legal proceedings in defense of her clients.

She is also the President and Founder of the Zaballos Foundation for the Defense of Constitutional Rights, through which she has achieved unprecedented accomplishments in the legal world. From the very beginning, the foundation aimed to promote, participate in, and support all kinds of social and legal initiatives focused on building a fairer society—one where the rights and freedoms enshrined in the Spanish Constitution are not an unattainable ideal, but a tangible reality.

Emilia Zaballos has led numerous and diverse projects through the Zaballos Foundation, but among the most notable are those developed in recent years—during a time marked by wars, pandemics, and social and political conflicts that have deeply affected societal harmony and well-being.

One of Emilia Zaballos’ most significant recent achievements has been the promotion, creation, and support of various Associations for Affected Individuals. These associations have provided victims of criminal acts and various injustices with a structured platform for support—both legal and moral—essential for the survival of many individuals and families, at both national and international levels.

Examples include the creation of the Association of Individuals Affected by Cryptocurrency Investments and the Association of Individuals Affected by CBD Investments, both founded by Emilia Zaballos. These groups have brought together more than 5,000 people who suffered from fraud, scams, and the misappropriation of their investments in crypto assets. These associations have become pioneers in defending victims at both national and international levels, leading in terms of the number of individuals represented and the total economic value of claims filed.

Thanks to these efforts, many have already managed to recover all or part of their investments in cryptocurrencies, even through out-of-court settlements. Most importantly, these initiatives by the Zaballos Foundation have provided a sense of solace and the means to assert citizens’ rights—ensuring that the wrongs they have suffered do not go unpunished, and thereby helping to end the personal crises and emotional turmoil experienced by thousands of people.

In order to also curb abuses and overreach by other organizations or institutions previously considered untouchable, Emilia Zaballos has promoted and developed several initiatives, including the creation of the Association of Individuals Affected by Public Administrations, the Association of Individuals Affected by Undue Delays in the Courts and Public Administration, and the Association of Individuals Affected by Abusive Practices of Insurance Companies—all created with the aim of bringing together citizens who have been affected in one way or another.

Emilia Zaballos has also defended severe cases of attacks on human dignity, life, and even the failure of justice system members to take action in clarifying highly significant criminal matters. She spearheaded and advocated for the representation of the families of victims of the Covid-19 pandemic, pushing for the necessary investigations to determine whether the actions of our nation’s government during the pandemic were appropriate and in accordance with the law. Furthermore, she demanded a moral justification from the government for many of the measures taken, in order to hold those responsible accountable.

In addition, Emilia Zaballos has personally funded and selflessly supported « pro bono » the interests of the family of the tragically murdered Romina Celeste, one of the most high-profile cases in recent years in our country, which has recently reached a resolution.

Among the actions undertaken by Emilia Zaballos aimed at driving social change through legislative reforms, it is important to highlight her efforts for the legal reform of the « Only Yes is Yes » Law. Thanks to this initiative, the government of our nation has finally reconsidered the provisions of a law that led to the release of prisoners convicted of serious sexual crimes or the reduction of sentences for these same offenses.

This has further worsened the emotional situation of the victims and undermined the defense of women in such criminal actions. The reform of the « Only Yes is Yes » Law will reinforce legal protection for victims of sexual crimes and guarantee that those responsible for such attacks on the dignity and integrity of women will face the full force of justice.

Emilia Zaballos has also gained the unconditional support of dozens of artists to promote the modification and updating of the Patronage Law, addressing the shortcomings of the current legislation and ensuring that painters, sculptors, musicians, and artists in general—who possess innate talent and admirable qualities—are given the recognition and opportunities they deserve.

Unfortunately, at present, these artists suffer from the lack of a law that aligns with their real potential for artistic and personal development.

Lastly, the most recent initiatives promoted by Emilia Zaballos include the creation of the Association for More Therapists and Fewer Pharmaceuticals and the Association of Victims of Emotional Scams.

Emilia Zaballos stands out not only for her skills and knowledge in the legal field but also for her dedication to fostering an inclusive environment within the legal profession. She has implemented innovative strategies and programs aimed at eliminating barriers and empowering women in the practice of law. Furthermore, she has been a pioneer in creating opportunities for the professional development of women, facilitating their rise to leadership positions and actively promoting diversity within the legal sector.

Emilia Zaballos has led initiatives that challenge the status quo and seek to break the glass ceiling that has historically limited the advancement of women in the legal field. Her visionary approach and concrete actions have contributed to changing the perception of what is possible for women in the legal profession, inspiring new generations to pursue their goals without gender-based limitations..

Since 2010, she has been developing the project “Empowerment and Development of Female Talent at Zaballos Abogados”, with the goal of promoting and fostering female leadership and talent in management positions within the firm, promoting inclusive practices and removing barriers that perpetuate the glass ceiling.

As part of this project, the following actions stand out:

  1. Mentorship and Professional Development:
    o A mentorship program has been implemented, connecting female leaders at the firm with talented employees and future lawyers in training.
    o In addition, specific training and development opportunities for women within the firm are offered.
  2. Inclusive Organizational Culture:
    o  A culture that values diversity and equal opportunities is encouraged.
    o The entire staff is sensitized about the importance of breaking gender stereotypes in the workplace.
  3. Work-Life Balance and Flexibility Policies:
    o Actions and policies have been established to support work-family balance, promoting the retention of female talent.
    o Flexible working hours and remote work options have been implemented (even more so after the Covid-19 pandemic) to adapt to diverse needs.
  4. Performance Recognition:
    o A recognition system has been implemented to highlight the achievements and contributions of female professionals, ensuring that promotions within the firm are based on merit and skills, eliminating gender biases.
  5. Participation in Networks and Events:
    o Active participation of women in events and professional networks in the legal sector has been encouraged.
    o Since 2019, the Zaballos Foundation Awards have been organized, which highlight, among other things, the successes and experiences of female leaders.

This project aims not only to create a more equitable environment within the firm but also to enhance female leadership to strengthen the overall position of the law firm.

Emilia Zaballos stands out not only for her skills and knowledge in the legal field but also for her dedication to fostering an inclusive environment within the legal profession. She has implemented innovative strategies and programs aimed at eliminating barriers and empowering women in the practice of law. Furthermore, she has been a pioneer in creating opportunities for the professional development of women, facilitating their rise to leadership positions and actively promoting diversity within the legal sector.

Emilia Zaballos has led initiatives that challenge the status quo and seek to break the glass ceiling that has historically limited the advancement of women in the legal field. Her visionary approach and concrete actions have contributed to changing the perception of what is possible for women in the legal profession, inspiring new generations to pursue their goals without gender-based limitations.
Since 2010, she has been developing the project “Empowerment and

Emilia Zaballos has established strategic collaborations with various organizations and entities to strengthen the support network for women in the legal field. Her commitment to gender equity is reflected in her active participation in events, conferences, and round tables that address equality within the legal sector.

Some of the alliances formed include: the Spanish Association of Women Lawyers (AEMJ), the Spanish Association of Businesswomen (ASEME), the Women Who Transform Association (MQT), the Madrid Association of Executive and Businesswomen (AMMDE), WOMEN CEO, the Spanish Association of Executives and Female Directors (EJE&CON), the Business and Professional Women Spain Association (BPW), the GSW Global Summit of Women, the National Association of Professional, Business, Executive, and Female Directors (ANAEDE), and the Association of Women for Dialogue and Education (MDE).