Pardo Geijo, an Undisputed Leader in Criminal Law

Reconocimiento como mejor penalista de España (2022)

The Murcian lawyer Raúl Pardo Geijo was awarded 12 times in 2022 as the best criminal lawyer in Spain by the most important legal institutions in the field of Criminal Law, the most recent award being presented in Almería.

The city of Almería hosted the ceremony where, due to COVID-19, the international awards granted by Leaders in Law 2022 were presented at a well-known hotel in the city center. There, the most prestigious lawyers in Spain in each field gathered and received their awards virtually, while lawyers from other countries did the same in their respective territories.

This criminal lawyer from Murcia, who despite having his main office there is a regular presence in the courts of Almería, expressed his gratitude for the recognition. In addition to congratulating his counterparts from other countries, he strongly criticized legislative changes in criminal law that are made according to momentary convenience—remaining in force even when no longer necessary—and often by those who lack real, though not formal, authority to enact them.

Pardo Geijo has been involved in numerous cases of corruption, economic crime, drug trafficking, and offenses against life in the province of Almería. The truth is that when he appears before the courts, he leaves no one indifferent. The same can be said not only in Andalusia but also in neighboring regions such as Castilla-La Mancha and Extremadura.

A member of the Criminal Law Section of the Murcia Bar Association and frequently present whenever major cases arise in Almería—where defendants often seek to hire him as the best criminal lawyer—it is worth noting that in 2022 he also received the two most prestigious awards in Criminal Law worldwide: “Client Choice” and “Best Lawyers,” being named exclusively as “Lawyer of the Year” in Spain in the field of Criminal Defense by the latter American publication. These events, along with those organized by other international legal institutions (Advisory Excellence, Legal Awards, Lawyers of Distinction…), have been held in the respective countries that grant them (the United States, Canada, England, or Ireland, among others).

The Murcian lawyer, known for the strength of his legal writings and determination in oral hearings, has very few client reviews on Google (around 45). This is because, as is well known in legal circles according to his colleagues, he only takes on cases he is interested in (whether large or small) and when it suits him. They note that Pardo Geijo “may reject a case one day and take that same case a month later—or vice versa; waiting may mean he no longer has time to take on more work.”

The selection process for the best criminal lawyers in Spain, according to each institution, is based on the quality of written and oral legal work, the manner in which proceedings are conducted, the volume of successful cases handled by the lawyer or their firm, and other factors. These are evaluated by “external observers” sent by each organization to different countries. After a thorough analysis, their findings are submitted to juries—mostly composed of judges, prosecutors, retired or inactive lawyers, academics, and other legal professionals—who, following a deeper review and investigation, ultimately decide the winners.