Clara Cerdán Molina’s journey into the legal profession was shaped by her early academic pursuits and diverse international internships. While studying Law and Business Administration, she gained practical experience in different sectors, working at Lloyds TSB Bank in private banking, Grant Thornton in audit and consulting, and at Davies Arnold Cooper and Garrigues in legal roles. Each of these experiences broadened her understanding of the professional world, but it was at Garrigues that she confirmed her passion for practicing law.
Clara Cerdán Molina | General Director of Legal Advice | Solarig
She began her career in the Civil and Commercial Procedural Law Department, learning the fundamentals of excellent legal practice. Later, she had the opportunity to manage the International Legal Department at Sacyr Vallehermoso, marking the beginning of her corporate law career. This role allowed her to work on international projects across five continents, including jurisdictions as diverse as Libya, the United States, the European Union, Costa Rica, Chile, and Australia. One of the most significant projects she contributed to was the Panama Canal expansion, a milestone in her legal career. At EliteX, we are proud to have Clara Cerdán Molina as part of the edition: Prominent Women in Legal World, 2025.
Her career took another significant step forward when she became the General Manager of Legal Advice and Secretary of the Board of Directors of Grupo FerroAtlántica. Following its merger with the American company Globe and its listing on Nasdaq, the company became Ferroglobe. This period of her career was particularly enriching as she managed people, led the merger and its integration, and helped transform a family business into a publicly traded company. She gained experience in corporate governance, compliance, and legal department development, while also honing her leadership and talent management skills. These experiences allowed her to grow as a professional and as a leader, shaping her into a responsible and humanistic executive with a commitment to adding value to society.
“A positive and proactive approach is the foundation of professional success.”
Currently, she holds the position of General Manager of the Legal Department and Secretary of the Board at Solarig Global Services. This role allows her to continue developing her expertise while contributing to a company that aligns with her values. Solarig, a leader in the energy transition sector, offers her an opportunity to participate in an industry that prioritizes sustainability and responsible growth. She considers this phase of her career to be particularly fulfilling, as she combines professional maturity with the motivation to keep learning and evolving.
Her decision to pursue law was driven by a passion for justice and a deep interest in understanding rights and obligations. Throughout her career, she has learned valuable lessons that have shaped her both professionally and personally. Excellence in work determines the quality of outcomes, managing diverse cultures and jurisdictions enhances flexibility and creativity, and leading corporate transformations provides stability and maturity. Working in a rapidly growing company like Solarig, where talent, meritocracy, and humility are core values, has reinforced her belief in continuous improvement and meaningful contribution.
Her daily responsibilities as Director of Legal Advice involve managing a team of over twenty lawyers across various jurisdictions. She ensures that all tasks are completed efficiently and that knowledge is shared generously among team members. She believes that corporate lawyers serve as both ethical guides and problem solvers, helping businesses achieve their objectives while maintaining legal integrity. She emphasizes responsible leadership, inspiring her team to add value to their colleagues and the company as a whole.
In her role as General Secretary of the Board of Directors, she is responsible for implementing principles of good corporate governance. She collaborates with the Chief of Sustainability & Communications, Cecilia Carballo, and the Corporate General Director, Jaime Sureda, to establish internal guidelines, policies, and regulatory frameworks that promote transparency, trust, and sustainable growth. She believes that only sustainable growth is truly lasting and contributes to long-term value creation.
“Excellence defines the quality of one’s work, but adaptability and creativity shape success.”
Balancing professional and personal life is essential to her. She considers her family the most important project in her life and strives to dedicate quality time to them. To achieve this balance, she focuses on being highly efficient at work, allowing her to pursue her two greatest passions: law and family. She believes that the key to success in the legal profession, and in any career, lies in dedication, a desire for continuous improvement, and integrity. A positive and constructive attitude towards work and colleagues is crucial for professional growth. Success is achieved by those who are committed to learning, improving, and maintaining ethical standards.
Supporting and mentoring young women in the legal field is one of her passions. As a co-founder of Women in a Legal World, she works alongside Marlen Estévez and Ana Martínez Enguídanos to promote education, talent visibility, and leadership development. The organization began as an informal gathering of women leaders and quickly grew into an association dedicated to social transformation. Through mentoring programs, they provide guidance to aspiring lawyers, helping them find female role models and navigate their careers. Over the past six years, the organization has mentored more than 3,000 lawyers and expanded its reach internationally. With support from top legal professionals and institutions, Women in a Legal World fosters a culture of generosity and empowerment.
She has a particular passion for business law, as it allows her to engage with both the legal and corporate sectors. She also believes strongly in compliance as a means to ensure order and sustainability in companies. A well-structured compliance framework helps businesses operate responsibly and maintain long-term success. Her advice to young women pursuing a career in law is to believe in themselves and work on overcoming internal barriers. She encourages them to identify and release self-imposed limitations, dream big, and pursue their goals with confidence and perseverance. Generosity is another key value she emphasizes, as giving back often leads to greater personal and professional growth. She also highlights the importance of self-awareness, urging young professionals to recognize their strengths and turn their weaknesses into advantages.
She sees significant room for improvement in the legal industry regarding gender equality. While women are well represented in public administration, their presence diminishes in leadership roles, particularly in law firms. She has contributed to research on gender disparities in the legal field, identifying biases that hinder women’s career progression. Addressing these biases through education and personal leadership development is essential for fostering an inclusive and diverse legal profession.
Looking to the future, she believes in the power of individual actions to drive societal change. By positively influencing the people around them, individuals can contribute to broader transformation. She sees leadership as a way to inspire others and believes that learning is most effective when it is shared. Through her work, she aims to continue making a positive impact on the legal profession and society as a whole.
“As corporate lawyers, we are the ‘Jiminy Cricket’ of the business—setting ethical boundaries while finding solutions.”
