Tenerife Lawyers Head to Polls in Tight Bar Association Election

This Friday, nearly 4,000 lawyers in Tenerife, La Gomera, and El Hierro will vote for the next leaders of the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Bar Association (Icatf). Both practicing and non-practicing lawyers are eligible to vote.

The legal world is changing fast, with more digital technology, new rules, and a push for a faster, more efficient justice system. Three candidates are running for the top spot:

• José Manuel Niederleytner García-Lliberós, who is hoping to be re-elected for a third term.
• Mila Pacheco Pérez, the current vice-dean of the association.
• Víctor Martín Álvarez, a lawyer.

Niederleytner, who has led the association for ten years, is campaigning under the slogan "More association, more for you." He says his team is excited to work for the rights of their colleagues. "The feedback I'm getting from colleagues is positive, even though this has been one of the most competitive campaigns I can remember," he said.

He says he's received a lot of support from both established law firms and younger lawyers with significant experience.

Niederleytner believes his past work will earn him more support. He highlights achievements like the regular training sessions, the fight for better pay for legal aid lawyers (approved by the Canary Islands government last September), the push for digital processes, and improvements to the association's headquarters.

He describes his team as dedicated, honest lawyers with a mix of experience and excellent skills.

Mila Pacheco, the current vice-dean, is running under the "Drive Change" banner. She has promoted the Icatf Mediation Center and has actively defended the rights of lawyers in legal aid and immigration services. She recently received the Medal of Merit for Justice in the Canary Islands.

Pacheco says she feels positive after an intense campaign that was shorter than expected. "Despite the short time, our team has worked hard to get our message and program across to everyone in the legal profession," she said.

"We are a group of experienced professionals who are passionate about improving the lives of lawyers," she explains. Pacheco emphasizes that she and her team understand the profession, its challenges, and the needs of its members. "That's why we've developed a comprehensive and realistic program that not only identifies the problems facing lawyers but also proposes concrete solutions. We want an association that puts its members first: their time, their fees, their training, their dignity, and their well-being. Now it's up to our colleagues to decide. I promise that if they trust us, we will work closely with them, be transparent, and deliver results," she concludes.

Víctor Martín Álvarez is running under the "Alternative for the Dignity of the Legal Profession" banner. He says he's pleased to have raised important issues and offered solutions. He appreciates the open and participatory nature of the election process. Martín hopes that lawyers will turn out in large numbers to vote, so that the association can be a strong and unified voice in getting the government to address their needs. "To protect the rights of citizens, let's value the daily work of lawyers," he said.