Dr. Kendall Ruiz Jiménez exemplifies the very essence of a rising star in innovation and strategy under 40. As Managing Partner of ASELECOM Abogados in Costa Rica, he has redefined what it means to lead a modern law firm—combining deep legal expertise with visionary management, technological integration, and an unwavering commitment to ethical and impactful practice.   Kendall’s leadership has transformed ASELECOM into a multidisciplinary hub serving corporate, litigation, labor, consumer, intellectual property, and regulatory needs for national and international clients. Under his direction, the firm advises more than 250 solidarity associations, showcasing not only technical knowledge but also social impact by strengthening organizations that directly improve workers’ welfare. This dual focus on business excellence and social responsibility makes him a standout professional in Latin America.   Innovation lies at the heart of his approach. Kendall has pioneered digital strategies in arbitration management, assembly governance, and AI-driven legal solutions, making ASELECOM one of the first Costa Rican firms to integrate artificial intelligence into client service and academic training. His initiatives go beyond mere adoption of technology—he positions innovation as a tool to democratize access to justice, enhance efficiency, and ensure transparency.   Strategically, he has extended his influence through academic and gremial leadership. Kendall is a professor at Universidad Fidélitas, lecturer at multiple universities, and an international speaker on legal innovation, consumer rights, and the challenges of artificial intelligence. He is also President of the Asociación de Abogados y Abogadas Litigantes de Costa Rica (AALIT), where he drives reforms to strengthen litigation practice and judicial efficiency. His thought leadership has crossed borders, with participations in global congresses and publications that shape debate on law and technology.   What sets him apart is his ability to inspire. Kendall mentors the next generation of lawyers, promotes professional ethics, and has built bridges with international legal organizations. His recognition as “Distinguished Lawyer 2023” and as a Doctor Honoris Causa further confirm the global respect he has earned at such a young age.   In less than four decades, Kendall Ruiz Jiménez has established himself as a transformational leader who merges legal tradition with forward-looking strategy. His work proves that innovation is not an abstract concept, but a practical driver of justice, competitiveness, and human progress. For these reasons, he is an outstanding candidate for the WONE Global Awards 2026 as Rising Star in Innovation & Strategy Under 40.

1. Over the past two years, Dr. Kendall Ruiz Jiménez has achieved milestones that position him as one of the most promising legal innovators under 40 in Latin America:

International Recognition for Legal Scholarship: Honored with a Mention of Honor by the Inter-American Bar Association (IABA/FIA) at its 2023 Annual Conference in Rio de Janeiro for his book “Manual de Litigación Civil-Mercantil-Laboral”, which has sold over 1,000 copies and reached audiences in Costa Rica, Argentina, Peru, Chile, El Salvador, Ecuador, Bolivia, Mexico, and the United States. This recognition placed his work among the most influential legal contributions of the year across the Americas.   Excellence in Law Award (Mexico, 2024): Received the Excellence in Law distinction granted by the Inter-American Bar, the Inter-American Faculty of Litigation, the National Institute of Anthropology and History of Mexico, and the Mexican Ministry of Culture. This award underscored his contributions to legal modernization and professional ethics in the region.   Firm Growth & Client Impact: As Managing Partner of ASELECOM Abogados, he has expanded the firm’s client portfolio to serve over 250 solidarity associations nationwide, while also consolidating cross-border advisory services in corporate, litigation, labor, consumer, and arbitration matters. This has strengthened ASELECOM’s reputation as a trusted partner for both businesses and worker organizations.   Leadership in Legal Associations: As President of the Asociación de Abogados y Abogadas Litigantes de Costa Rica (AALIT), he has spearheaded initiatives to improve judicial efficiency, foster ethical litigation practices, and build international partnerships with professional associations and universities.   Innovation in Legal Processes: Led the development of pioneering virtual assemblies and arbitration management systems in Costa Rica, ensuring continuity, transparency, and participation for hundreds of members in times of digital transformation. These solutions have since become a reference model in the region.   Academic and Professional Influence: Serving as a professor at Universidad Fidélitas and other institutions, he has trained the next generation of litigators, while also delivering keynote presentations at international congresses on artificial intelligence, consumer protection, and legal innovation.     Together, these accomplishments highlight Dr. Ruiz Jiménez’s exceptional combination of scholarship, professional impact, innovation, and international leadership, reinforcing his candidacy as a true Rising Star in Innovation & Strategy Under 40.

Dr. Kendall Ruiz Jiménez stands out for turning legal innovation into day-to-day operational value for clients. He has professionalized and scaled virtual assemblies and board-governance workflows across Costa Rica, delivering compliant remote deliberation, transparent voting, and auditable records for associations and companies. Rather than treating technology as an add-on, Kendall designs “end-to-end” processes—pre-meeting verification, rules of order adapted to ICTs, secure access controls, and post-meeting certification—so clients achieve faster, safer decisions with clear evidence trails.   His differentiation is underpinned by thought leadership and execution. Kendall authored a specialized book on virtual assemblies and remote board meetings that distills doctrine, case law, and practical checklists into an implementable framework for organizations. He couples that with continuous client education and public engagement to normalize digital governance and reduce friction in high-stake meetings. Media coverage and international recognitions further validate his credibility as an innovator under 40.   Strategically, Kendall’s approach blends legal rigor, digital transformation, and client-centric service design. He listens to operational pain points, prototypes pragmatic solutions, and then standardizes them into clear playbooks—raising governance quality while lowering cost and risk. This consistent ability to convert legal theory into scalable, tech-enabled practice is what makes him a genuine rising star in innovation and strategy.