The partners of Cuatrecasas have appointed Rafael Fontana as honorary chairman in recognition of his more than 40 years of professional service with the firm, 22 of them leading its management team. The announcement was made during the Annual General Meeting of Partners, at an event where his work and enormous contribution to the firm's development were acknowledged and appreciated. Rafael Fontana thus joins Emilio Cuatrecasas, who has also held the honorary title of honorary chairman since 2016.
The firm, which appointed Javier Fontcuberta as CEO and chief executive last April, is continuing with the succession process for its governing bodies announced at that time. Rafael Fontana's term as chairman of Cuatrecasas will end on December 31, and with the start of the new year, partner and current vice chairman Luis Pérez de Ayala will assume the chairmanship and the responsibilities previously held by Rafael Fontana.
Rafael Fontana thanked the partners for their trust throughout his career: “Thank you so much for your support. It is a great honor for me to have been named honorary president of Cuatrecasas. I never imagined reaching this point in my professional career. Without a doubt, this is the recognition that excites me the most, and it is something I will always cherish.”
Rafael Fontana, a key figure in the strategic transformation of Cuatrecasas
Joining Cuatrecasas in 1983, Rafael Fontana has been a key figure and one of the main drivers of its strategic transformation. He led its organizational and technological modernization and promoted its international expansion, directing the opening of offices in Mexico (2016), Peru (2019), Chile (2020) and Colombia (2021) and fostering alliances with leading firms in Germany (Gleiss Lutz), Italy (Chiomenti) and France (Gide Loyrette Nouel).
Rafael Fontana has also distinguished himself through his promotion of legal innovation with initiatives such as Cuatrecasas Acelera and for his social commitment, linked to projects focused on access to justice and youth development. As Vice President of the Cuatrecasas Foundation, he actively participates in the Spanish business and social spheres, serving on boards of directors, associations, and institutions, and on the boards of trustees of various foundations.
His outstanding professional career has been recognized with the Grand Cross of the Order of Saint Raymond of Peñafort, awarded by the Government of Spain and recently, with the 'Aptíssimi' Award for Business Law, in the Professional Career category, and the Inkietos Transformative Leadership Award.
