OUR TEAM
WE ARE PIONEERS

azahara garcía
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Diego Olmedo
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SILVIA FRADE
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ANDRÉS VALVERDE
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SARA LÓPEZ
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ALEJANDRO PENA
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SANDRA PINEDA
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GUILLERMO BUDI
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CARLOTA REVENGA
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MARÍA JEMEZ
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REBECA BARRILERO
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IOANA ISTRATE
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PEDRO DÍAZ
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ELENA CID
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LETICIA GÓMEZ
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LAURA VALVERDE
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JOSÉ HERMAN MENACE
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JORGE ANGULO
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AZAHARA GARCÍA DURÁN
Azahara holds a Law degree from Universidad Rey Juan Carlos de Madrid and became a member of the Madrid Bar Association in 2013. She began her career leading a team of over 20 professionals in a startup specializing in passenger claims litigation before joining an international law firm, where she successfully represented more than 10 airlines in Spanish courts.
In 2022, she co-founded PionAirLaw, where she leverages her legal expertise and passion for innovation to develop Amelia, a cutting-edge software for passenger claims defense. Always at the forefront of Legal Tech, she continues to expand her knowledge in AI, technology, and digital transformation, leading projects that drive innovation in the legal sector.
azahara@pionairlaw.com
DIEGO OLMEDO DE CÁCERES
Diego holds a degree in Law from Universidad Autónoma de Madrid and has been a member of the Madrid Bar Association since 2008. With over 14 years of experience in aviation, working for UK law firms, he is also a qualified air accident investigator from the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid and participated in the legal defense of the most notable accidents occurred in Spain in recent years (Spanair 2008, Germanwings and A400M both in 2015). Co-founding PionAirLaw with Azahara in September 2022, Diego offers legal services to airlines covering a broad spectrum, including litigation, passenger rights, consumer law, and more. Fluent in Spanish, English, and Portuguese, he is also a respected lecturer in the field.
diego@pionairlaw.com
+34 616 141 053
SARA LÓPEZ AGUADO
Sara entered the aeronautical industry through a major tourist group’s legal department after graduating in Management and Public Administration from Universidad Complutense de Madrid in 1998. At PionAirLaw, she plays a crucial role in defending the myriad of passenger claims we handle annually. Her extensive industry experience provides invaluable insights into decision-making processes, significantly benefiting our clients. Sara also assists in other key areas, contributing to our high success rate in client defense.
sara@pionairlaw.com
LAURA VALVERDE
Laura holds a Law Degree from the University of A Coruña and dedicated five years to preparing for judicial examinations to become a judge, acquiring extensive training in procedural law.Since 2018, she has specialized in litigation, representing airlines in court proceedings and ensuring strategic legal defense. Her deep knowledge of aviation regulations and procedural matters allows her to provide effective legal solutions in complex disputes.
laura@pionairlaw.com
SILVIA FRADE SOSA
Silvia holds a double degree in Law and Political Science from Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (2015) and has specialized in International Aviation and Space Law at Universidad Pontificia de Comillas (2024). She has also completed a Data Protection Law course at the School of Legal Practice (2025). After qualifying as a lawyer and joining the Madrid Bar Association, she spent five years specializing in client defense in court at two prominent Spanish law firms. Now as partner at PionAirLaw, Silvia focuses on regulatory and litigation matters, helping clients navigate the legal complexities of their day-to-day operations. Fluent in English, she is also improving her German skills.
silvia@pionairlaw.com
ALEJANDRO PENA ROMÁN
Alejandro graduated in Law from Universidade da Coruña and joined the Madrid Bar Association in 2021. He specializes in compliance and litigation, having previously worked for one of Spain’s leading legal start-ups before joining our team. At PionAirLaw, Alejandro defends our clients in court and before regional and local administrations, bringing his expertise in both Spanish and Galician languages.
alejandro@pionairlaw.com
SANDRA PINEDA CARO
Sandra graduated in Law from Universidad Carlos III de Madrid in 2022 and began her career in a multidisciplinary law firm, gaining valuable experience in procedural law. Joining PionAirLaw in October 2022 as our youngest team member, her enthusiasm for learning and interest in legal tech and aviation law stand out. Sandra brings a fresh and valuable perspective, speaking both Spanish and English fluently.
sandra@pionairlaw.com
JOSÉ ROMERO LARA
José, with a degree in Law and a Master’s in International and European Union Studies from Universidad de Malaga, joined the Malaga Bar Association in 2021. His varied background includes working in multidisciplinary law firms specializing in consumer affairs before moving into air transport law in 2020. José’s expertise enhances our defense of clients in both court and administrative proceedings, applying knowledge from his previous roles to airline interests. He is fluent in Spanish, Catalan and English.
jose@pionairlaw.com
CARLOTA REVENGA GÓMEZ-SELLÉS
Carlota, with a double degree in Law and Political Science from ICADE and a master’s in economic criminal law (2017), is a member of the Madrid Bar Association. Her judicial examination preparation and two-year tenure at a well-known Spanish law firm specializing in mass claim defense have honed her skills. Joining our litigation team in 2023, Carlota’s expertise in legal and political matters significantly contributes to our practice. Her international outlook infuses our strategies with creative and effective solutions. Carlota is fluent in Spanish and English and is currently learning French.
carlota@pionairlaw.com
GUILLERMO BUDI HYCKA
Guillermo, with a Law degree and a Master of Law completed in 2022 in Universidad de Complutense de Madrid, early engaged in mass litigation, shaping his focus on passenger rights within the largest European airline. His diverse experience through international programs has built a solid foundation in legal practice, with a keen interest in aviation law. Guillermo’s innovative mindset and collaborative spirit are invaluable to our team, speaking Spanish and English fluently.
guillermo@pionairlaw.com
MARÍA JEMEZ
María, with a degree in Law from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, joined the Madrid Bar Association in 2017. Before joining our team, she specialized in litigation and defense of international airlines in Spanish courts and before AESA. At PionAirLaw, María uses her extensive knowledge and multilingual skills (Spanish, English, German, Russian, and Ukrainian) to enhance our defense strategies for clients in court and administrative bodies. Her expertise is crucial in navigating complex legal landscapes, ensuring the best outcomes for our clients.
maria@pionairlaw.com
REBECA BARRILERO
Rebeca is a key part of our team, focusing on administrative and legal support. Her work includes managing documents, keeping track of legal deadlines, and ensuring the office and the work run smoothly. With a strong background in administrative tasks, Rebeca is instrumental in maintaining our daily operations and supporting the legal team. Her commitment to her role reflects her practical approach to problem-solving and organizational tasks.
rebeca@pionairlaw.com
PEDRO DÍAZ
Pedro holds a degree in Law and International Relations from Universidad Loyola Andalucía and qualified as a lawyer in 2021. In 2022, he obtained a master’s degree in international law, Foreign Trade, and International Relations from ISDE. He has gained international experience through various stays abroad, including a position in Johannesburg (South Africa) in 2023, where he contributed to commercial and legal work at the Embassy of Spain. Passionate about exploring remote destinations, he is currently training for an Ultralight Aircraft Licence (ULM).
pedro@pionairlaw.com
LETICIA GÓMEZ
Leticia holds a Law Degree from the Complutense University of Madrid and a Master’s in Labour Law and Human Resources. A member of the Madrid Bar Association since 2015, she began her career in massive banking litigation before specializing in Aviation Law. Since 2019, she has advised and represented major international airlines, leading legal teams where she delivers strategic solutions and professional excellence in the litigation of cases. Leticia takes a proactive approach to legal challenges in a constantly evolving regulatory environment.
leticia@pionairlaw.com
JOSÉ HERMAN MENACE
José is a lawyer with over a decade of experience in civil, commercial, contractual, and labor law. Specialized in Aeronautical, Airport, and Space Law, he has developed a deep expertise in navigating the intricate regulatory, operational, and contractual aspects of these dynamic industries. Known for his strategic approach and strong problem-solving abilities, Jose delivers tailored legal solutions that address the unique challenges of his clients. He speaks English, Portuguese and Danish.
joseh@pionairlaw.com
ELENA CID
Elena holds a Law Degree from Universidad Autónoma de Madrid and provides administrative and legal support at PionAirLaw.With extensive experience in trial assistance, organization, and administrative tasks at prestigious law firms, she plays a key role in ensuring operational efficiency. Fluent in English, she is passionate about supporting legal professionals and adding value to the team.
elena@pionairlaw.com
JORGE ANGULO
Jorge holds a degree in Tourism from the University of Almería and a master’s degree in Event Management and Corporate Communication. He has been a court representative (procurador) since 2018. At PionAirLaw, he provides administrative and legal support, ensuring smooth office operations. His industry experience allows him to collaborate across key areas. Fluent in English and Portuguese, he is also learning German.
jorge@pionairlaw.com
IOANA ISTRATE
Ioana is a lawyer at the Madrid Bar Association (ICAM) and a member of the Spanish Compliance Association. She specializes in civil, commercial, administrative, and aviation law. She holds a Law degree with a mention in English from the Complutense University of Madrid and a Master’s in Access to the Legal Profession. Currently, she is pursuing a Master’s in Business Accounting and Taxation at the University of Nebrija. Certified in regulatory compliance, she has worked in multinational companies, advising on commercial law and compliance. Since joining PionAirLaw, she has been advising and representing national and international airlines in legal proceedings across Spain. A native Spanish and Romanian speaker, she is fluent in English and has basic knowledge of German.
ioana@pionairlaw.com
ANDRÉS VALVERDE
After earning a law degree and completing a Master’s in Business Advisory, Andrés became a member of the Madrid Bar Association. In 2016, he began his career advising and defending airlines. Since then, he has represented more than 20 airlines in thousands of proceedings before Spanish courts at all levels, including the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Court. This extensive experience, combined with advanced training in Organizational Leadership at IESE Business School, has equipped him with the expertise and leadership skills necessary to successfully lead a team of lawyers dedicated to the defense of air carriers.
andres@pionairlaw.com