Focus

Soledad Gallego Bernad joined ClientEarth in 2019. She is a senior environmental lawyer with more than 25 years of experience in the protection of marine, terrestrial and freshwater biodiversity. She has built a strong track record in the legal defence of nature and environmental rights, both before national courts and in international forums.

Since 2022, as Director for Spain and the Mediterranean at ClientEarth, Soledad has led the establishment and operation of a regional office of more than 20 professionals driving legal and policy transformation in biodiversity conservation, climate adaptation and ocean governance across Spain, Portugal and Mediterranean countries.

Her work combines strategic litigation, policy advocacy and legal defence, coordinating international strategies to address the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. This legal work seeks to promote the sustainability of energy and food systems, spatial planning, transport and raw materials, while strengthening the rule of law, human rights, environmental democracy and sustainable economic development.

Experience

Between 2019 and 2024, Soledad designed and led ClientEarth’s Mediterranean legal programme, heading an international legal team that advanced groundbreaking litigation and initiatives to protect marine mammals, marine protected areas, wetlands, migratory birds and sustainable fisheries, applying EU Law.

Before joining ClientEarth, Soledad worked for 14 years as legal adviser and litigator for SEO/BirdLife, defending biodiversity before courts and public authorities. In 2008, she founded the law firm Justicia Ambiental (“Environmental Justice”), through which she provided legal advice to NGOs and citizens’ groups, fostering collaborative networks between law, science and civil society.

She is an expert in Water Law and Biodiversity Law, fields in which she has conducted extensive research and published widely. She has authored numerous publications, including a leading reference Manual on national and European case law concerning Natura 2000 protected areas.

Between 2002 and 2005, she served as Director-General for Urban Planning, Spatial Planning, Water and Housing in the regional government of Castilla-La Mancha, an experience that gave her a comprehensive understanding of public natural resource management.

Education

Soledad holds a Law Degree from the University of Castilla-La Mancha and completed the Legal Practice School at UNED. She also obtained a Diploma of Advanced Studies (DEA) and research proficiency at the Pontifical University of Salamanca, Faculty of Political Science and Sociology in Madrid.

She is a qualified lawyer in Spain and a member of the Madrid Bar Association, with more than 25 years of experience as a litigator.

Protecting and restoring our planet's biodiversity is essential for human beings to regain balance in our relationship with the Earth. At ClientEarth, I have the privilege of working alongside highly talented colleagues and partners, using the law to help leave a healthy planet for future generations - one where biodiversity thrives, climate resilience is strengthened, and environmental justice is secured for people and communities.