It was over 20 years ago when the undersigned first heard of Vicente Gimeno Sendra, distinguished jurist and exemplar of a life that has achieved professional heights and, even more, personal summits.

Today, somewhat colder due to the passage of days and the flow of events, this Law Firm allows itself to write a few brief words about such a character.

During a car trip from Alicante to Madrid, my father mentioned having met a sage who "devoured a book of over 500 pages in just a 4-hour journey," squeezing out conclusions from each paragraph to continue feeding his privileged capacity for analysis.

Much has been written about the Curriculum of the former judge of the Constitutional Court, Professor at UNED, author of dozens of legal titles, and intellectual leader of the most practical doctrine of procedural law: one that ensures true respect for effective judicial protection and the right to defense.

Honestly, beyond the brilliant career of the honoree here, the most unique characteristic of Gimeno Sendra was his unalterable independence.

Cheered (and sometimes thwarted) by some and others, he never hesitated to align with the left, clash with the right, praise more liberal proposals, and criticize positions self-proclaimed as progressive.

This independence allowed him to live a life in complete freedom, contributing maximally to legal technique and enjoying his role as pater familias.

I remember walks in Madrid, clams at Pulpería de Mila, beers at Santa Bárbara, and dominoes on his terrace. All this, thanks to the eternal honor of being considered the "adopted child" of the Gimeno Bevia family.

With his children and the Ausinas, he created an environment led by this natural leader who sometimes jokingly complained when a stew wasn't quite right or the wine was difficult to appreciate.

And if the Honorable Judge reached the highest heights that a lover of his profession can aspire to, he did not fall short in daily enjoyment and the pursuit of hedonism.

71 years of a fulfilling life and 1 month of cursed suffering. Let us remember the good, for the opportunity to have learned from this curious genius, no one can take that away from us.

Rest in peace, Vicente. Courage to the family.