Mila Pacheco Elected New Head of Santa Cruz de Tenerife Bar Association

Mila Pacheco (from Puerto de la Cruz, born in 1976) is the new head of the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Bar Association. She won the election on October 17, beating the previous head, José Manuel Niederleytner, by 97 votes.

Congratulations on your win! Were you expecting so much support?

Thank you. We knew our ideas were popular and that many lawyers agreed with our vision for the Bar Association, but the results were better than we hoped. Winning in the north, south, and the main city, and having our whole team elected, gives us a real boost to start this project with energy and dedication. I think the support shows that lawyers want change. They want a stronger defense of our profession, and a Bar Association that's modern, helpful, approachable, and brave. Members want an association that supports them every day, listens to them, and fights for their rights. That's how we're approaching this new chapter.

You were the vice-dean of the Bar Association before. What made you decide to run with your own team?

Mainly, I believed the Bar Association needed a fresh start, a new way of doing things that's more inclusive, active, and focused on getting real results. Over the past few years, I've seen the Bar Association's strengths up close, but also where we could improve. I decided to run because I felt I could bring that renewal, with my experience and a dedicated, diverse team who are eager to work for our members' needs.

Do you think being on the previous board helped or hindered your campaign? Did your experience appeal to those who wanted change but also someone who knew the ropes?

My time on the board was a positive experience. It helped me understand what lawyers need and how the Bar Association works. That knowledge gave me a realistic view of what's working well and what can be improved. I think that experience was a plus. Many lawyers saw my campaign as a chance for responsible change – a fresh start with someone experienced, practical, and able to lead a new project while still valuing the Bar Association's core principles.

During the campaign, you talked about leading the Bar Association with a "firm and useful direction." What changes will members notice?

We're aiming for big changes, a real transformation of the Bar Association, but always with the involvement and recognition of our members. We want everyone to feel like they're part of this new chapter because the Bar Association is all of us. They'll notice we're more approachable, communicate better, and that everything we do is more practical. We'll also be firm in our direction because we can't just complain; we have to lead with determination, make decisions, and defend our profession strongly.

You've promoted mediation services at the Bar Association. What else can be done in this area?

Definitely. More and more lawyers understand that we don't just handle lawsuits, but also manage conflicts in a comprehensive way. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) – like mediation, conciliation, and negotiation – opens up new areas of work where lawyers are essential. It offers more humane, faster, and often more satisfying solutions for everyone involved. It's not about replacing traditional legal work, but about expanding it, keeping up with the times, and adapting to a society that wants more dialogue and less conflict. The key is for lawyers to remain central to resolving conflicts, with professionalism, ethics, and a commitment to justice.

Do some lawyers need more training in these areas? What do you suggest?

Training is always ongoing. Instead of saying there's a lack, I'd say we need to keep learning and adapting. In areas like mediation and ADR, there's still room for improvement so all lawyers know the available tools and how to use them in their daily work. The Bar Association will promote training that's truly useful. We're committed to programs that go beyond theory, with practical workshops, real-life simulations, and opportunities for lawyers to learn from each other. We'll also work with universities, public institutions, and specialized organizations to keep our training current and high-quality. And importantly, we'll create spaces at the Bar Association for meetings and discussions where lawyers can share experiences, best practices, and also the real challenges they face.

What will you do to fight for lawyers' social rights?

Lawyers can't keep accepting precarious working conditions as "normal." We'll defend the social rights of our members as strongly as we defend our clients' rights. This includes everything from the right to decent pensions to better pay for legal aid work, family support, mental health, equal opportunities, and fair representation with government agencies. Basically, we'll fight for any improvement that benefits our members. The professional and personal well-being of lawyers is a key focus of our leadership.

What actions do you propose to address the issue of Santa Cruz de Tenerife having 17 court locations?

It's urgent to consolidate the court locations in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Having 17 scattered locations makes things inefficient, causes problems for lawyers and the public, and goes against modern, accessible justice. The Bar Association will urge the relevant authorities to open the Auditorium building as soon as possible, which would alleviate some of the current scattering and improve services. At the same time, we believe it's a priority to push forward the City of Justice project so it becomes a reality, not just a promise.

What will the Bar Association do regarding the gateway to the self-employed scheme (RETA)?

Our starting point is clear: lawyers have the right to a decent pension, and that's our unwavering goal. Many lawyers affected by this situation have faced the problem with little institutional support, and that must change. The Bar Association is committed to promoting a fair and sufficient regulatory solution that equates our rights to those of the Special Regime for Self-Employed Workers (RETA), while also guaranteeing each lawyer's freedom of choice. We support a voluntary gateway to RETA, which allows lawyers to choose between staying in the Mutual Society or joining the public system, ensuring the highest possible level of protection in both cases. We also advocate for full recognition of the years contributed to the Mutual Society as contributions to Social Security, for contribution levels adjusted to reality, and for a guaranteed minimum pension. In addition, we'll offer independent and personalized advice from experts outside the insurance companies so each lawyer can make informed decisions about their social coverage. The professional dignity of lawyers also means guaranteeing a fair and secure retirement, and we won't stop working until we achieve it. We appreciate the agreement reached with the Ministry of Justice, which provides for a 30% increase over three years, but we'll be vigilant to ensure these commitments are met on time and that the updates are reflected in the actual pay of lawyers. We'll also continue to push for further improvements.

Regarding the digitalization of the Bar Association, what's been done so far, and what's the most urgent thing to implement?

Our goal is for all administrative procedures to be done completely online, without the need to travel. This is especially important because our Bar Association covers not only Santa Cruz de Tenerife but also the North, the South, La Gomera, and El Hierro. We want each member to be able to handle their procedures simply, safely, and efficiently from anywhere, but without losing the personal touch that has always characterized our institution. We aspire to a modern and helpful Bar Association that uses technology to make professional life easier but remains a place for meeting, listening, and support.