Meetings & Key Events
Throughout my professional journey, I have had the privilege of attending various general assemblies and conferences that have enriched my knowledge and expanded my network. Each event offered unique insights into industry trends and innovations, allowing me to engage with thought leaders and peers.
Legal Strategies for EU-Funded Projects — X-Raised Interview with Jorge Barona
In this five-part interview produced by X-Raised, I share my perspective on how legal strategy is transforming EU-funded research and innovation.
Through concise, insightful answers, I explain how proactive legal design can bridge law, business, and science, turning complex obligations into clear, actionable strategies. Each video dives into a different theme, from my practice’s origins to OLAF audits, AI, and the global future of legal consulting.
🎥 Introduction: Setting the Stage: Introducing Jorge Barona and His Vision
The interview opens with a brief introduction by the X-Raised host, presenting Jorge Barona, Leading Lawyer of the Year 2025 and founder of Jorge Barona ILC. The segment sets the context for the conversation, exploring how legal foresight and structured compliance are reshaping the landscape of EU-funded research and innovation.
🎥 Question 1: From Purpose to Strategy: The Story Behind Jorge Barona ILC
I explain how the birth of my son and my experience in EU-funded projects inspired me to build Jorge Barona ILC, a firm created to bring legal strategy early into innovation processes. I present his two complementary lines of work: EU-funded project legal services and the Legal Expert Liaison™ model, both designed to transform law into an enabling tool for innovation.
🎥 Question 2: Why Legal Consulting Is Essential in EU-Funded Projects
I highlight that EU projects operate within a complex legal ecosystem, combining EU law, national legislation, and multiple contractual layers. I outline the main legal pain points consortia face and explain how early legal involvement ensures coherence, trust, and compliance from day one.
🎥 Question 3: OLAF Audits: How Real Is the Risk?
Addressing one of the most sensitive topics in EU projects, I discuss OLAF audits, emphasizing that the risk is genuine and not limited to fraud. I explain the consequences of poor documentation and show how continuous legal alignment between technical, financial, and contractual elements keeps organizations audit-ready.
🎥 Question 4: Adapting Law to the Age of AI and Globalization
I reflect on the transformation of the legal profession through technology and cross-border collaboration. I argue that lawyers must now lead with human intelligence, judgment, ethics, and contextual insight, while using digital tools to enhance their reach. The Legal Expert Liaison™ model embodies this hybrid approach.
🎥 Question 5: Delivering Legal Clarity that Empowers Innovation
In the final part, I explain how Jorge Barona ILC helps clients turn legal complexity into structured growth. I detail how my two service lines respond to distinct needs: EU-funded projects on one side, and international legal bridging through the Legal Expert Liaison™ service on the other.
🏆 Recognition & Awards - Leading Lawyer of the Year 2025 - LexTalk World Conference New York City
In June 2025, I was honored with the Leading Lawyer of the Year award at the LexTalk World Conference in New York City, a global event that brings together innovators, legal professionals, and thought leaders from around the world.
This recognition reflects not only my work in EU-funded research and innovation projects but also my broader commitment to making the legal profession more accessible, collaborative, and impactful across international contexts.
If you'd like to read about this experience and what it means to be, you can check out my blog entry here:
🎤 Panel Speaker – LexTalk World Conference | New York City, June 2025
I had the honor of being invited as a featured speaker at the LexTalk World Conference 2025 in New York City, where legal professionals from across the globe gathered to discuss the future of law, regulation, and innovation.
Participating in these panels was not only a professional milestone but also a deeply meaningful experience — culminating in being awarded Leading Lawyer of the Year 2025 by the Legal Honor Global Awards.
During the event, I participated in two high-level panel discussions:
⚖️ Transforming the Legal Profession
This panel explored how the legal role is evolving from traditional advisory to strategic, multidisciplinary leadership. We discussed the emerging skills needed by lawyers in a fast-changing world, including adaptability, cross-sector fluency, and a renewed emphasis on purpose-driven legal practice.
I was proud to contribute not only my perspective as a Legal Expert Liaison™, but also as a consultant to EU-based companies, where I have developed key skills such as cross-border regulatory analysis and intercommunication with non-lawyers — helping translate complex legal frameworks into practical, business-relevant strategies.
🌱 ESG Regulations and Legal Implications
This panel addressed one of the most pressing evolutions in the legal field today: the integration of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into corporate legal frameworks, compliance systems, and innovation strategies.
Drawing on my experience advising EU-funded projects and international companies, I contributed to a rich discussion on how legal professionals can drive sustainable transformation by bridging regulatory gaps, aligning business goals with ESG obligations, and offering clear, cross-border legal guidance in an increasingly complex global landscape.
Project OLEAF4VALUE: 5th & 6th General Assembly
As part of the Oleaf4Value project, I have actively participated in key assemblies representing Zero-Engineering. During the 5th General Assembly, held in Bragança, Portugal, from January 24th to 26th, I contributed online by presenting the advancements made in Task 5.4. This task is dedicated to exploring regulatory, legal, and beyond-legal limitations, a critical area for the project’s development.
Later, I also participated online in the 6th General Assembly, which took place in Madrid, Spain, from May 27th to 29th. During this assembly, I presented the final outcomes of Task 5.4, showcasing the project’s progress in addressing regulatory, legal, and beyond-legal considerations.
In addition to these contributions, I am responsible for the creation of Deliverable 5.9, "Final Report on the Regulatory, Legal, and Safety Analysis", further cementing my role in ensuring compliance and safety within the project framework.
*See Disclaimer
Project NENU2PHAR: 6th General Assembly
On November 23rd, the General Assembly of the NENU2PHAR project was held in Valencia, Spain, where I participated remotely, presenting the advancements of WP9. Within this framework, I am responsible for Subtask 9.3.2, focused on intellectual property (IPR) management and the promotion of innovation.
Representing ZER0-E ENGINEERING, my responsibilities include delving into the key aspects of intellectual property management within the project and leading initiatives to foster innovation. The assembly served as an essential platform to discuss strategies, exchange knowledge, and collaboratively address the challenges associated with IPR and innovation management. This experience not only highlighted the importance of effective management in these fields but also reaffirmed the project's commitment to staying at the forefront of advancements in pharmaceutical research and development.
Project REMADYL:
Final General Assembly - M54
The REMADYL Project successfully concluded its M54 Final General Assembly on November 22nd. I am proud to have been part of this remarkable initiative, collaborating with exceptional partners across Europe. As Project Manager and representative for SUSTAINABLE INNOVATIONS EUROPE (SIE), I worked closely with a diverse and talented team throughout the project's duration.
My involvement spanned multiple tasks, with a particular focus on legal assignments. I played a key role in the development of the Remadyl Policy Brief, which is designed to accelerate the transition toward a safe and circular economy for plastics. The brief presents legislative recommendations for potential consideration, study, and implementation at both the EU level and by Member States, further supporting the project's mission to drive sustainable innovation in plastics management.
Conference in Cartagena, Colombia
On June 23rd, I was invited by the ECOPETROL-ECONOVA Network to speak on the topic: "Legal Aspects in R&D Projects within the Framework of European Commission Initiatives."
The event was held at the ECONOVA Caribe headquarters in Cartagena, Colombia, with a virtual broadcast that attracted over 80 attendees. ECONOVA is an open innovation network that collaborates with entrepreneurs, youth, students, companies, and partners to create sustainable solutions for Colombia’s energy challenges, leveraging the power of science, technology, and innovation. Learn more at www.econova.co.
*See Disclaimer
M48 Remadyl General Assembly:
On May 3rd and 4th, I attended the M48 General Assembly of the REMADYL Project in Naples, Italy, where I conducted a thorough review of SIE's contributions, focusing on Standard Legislation, Life Cycle Costing (LCC), and Cost Feasibility Analysis (CFA).
♻️ The REMADYL Project is dedicated to recycling old PVC, which represents a significant portion of both rigid (window frames, pipes) and flexible (flooring, cables) post-consumer waste.
The next General Assembly is scheduled for Month 54 of the project (November 2023) and will be held in Belgium.
