Antonio Garrigues Walker, Spanish jurist and Honorary Chairman of the law firm Garrigues. In 1954 he joined the Firm founded by his father Antonio Garrigues Díaz-Cañabate, alongside his cousin, Joaquín Garrigues Díaz-Cañabate. He has been Chairman of Garrigues since 1961, when he was 27 years of age. He also presides over Fundación Garrigues and the Garrigues Chair in Global Law at Universidad de Navarra.

He is a renowned jurist on the international scene. Particularly worthy of note is his work as a legal adviser on foreign investments in Spain. He has advised major multinationals, as well as the Spanish government on financial legislation, above all in the field of foreign investment. He also offers his legal advice and know-how to governments such as the US and Japanese executives in their relations with Spain. Consequently, he is a trustee of the Spain-US, Spain-Japan, Spain-China, Spain-India, Spain-Russia, Spain-Mexico and Spain-Australia Foundations (Fundaciones Consejo). His interest in the phenomenon of globalization has led him to break new ground in cooperation with other international law firms and, by way of example; he is currently the Chairman of the World Association of Lawyers.

Alongside his work as a jurist, he has always played a highly active role in the country’s social, business and economic life, as borne out by his sojourn into politics. He set up the Partido Demócrata Liberal (PDL) back in 1982 and was named party chairman. In 1984, this political outfit was integrated within the Partido Reformista Democrático, a joint initiative with Miquel Roca in a bid to take up the political center ground.

Antonio Garrigues has been named World Lawyer by the World Peace Through Law Centre and is Ex-Chairman and Trustee of the Fundación José Ortega y Gasset – Gregorio Marañón. Grand Cross of San Raimundo de Peñafort, Grand Cross of Isabel La Católica, Grand Cross of the Order of Civil Merit and Grand Cross of Merit of services to the Legal Profession. Blanquerna Prize awarded by the Generalitat of Catalunya. Lifetime Achievement International Award, Fundación Cristóbal Gabarrón. Heraldic Order of Christopher Columbus (Dominican Republic). Iustitiae ‘2013 Award, bilateral relationships between Portugal and Spain. Jovellanos International Essay Prize 2013.

He serves as a special adviser to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and is currently the Honorary Spanish President of the organization. He is also the founder of the Spanish Chapter of Transparency International (TI), a global organization leading the fight against corruption.

Chairman and Director at various companies.

Doctor Honoris Causa from Universidad de Ciencias Empresariales y Sociales de Buenos Aires (Argentina), Universidad Europea de Madrid, Universidad Ramon Llull de Barcelona and Universidad Pontificia de Comillas de Madrid. Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Universidad Antonio de Nebrija.

He delivers papers at and moderates an array of seminars and meetings staged in both Spain and abroad. Regular speaker at seminars and conferences organized by the Firm and various specialized centers and associations.