The Legal 500

Clifford Chance’s ‘excellent’ practice receives rave reviews for ‘high-quality work and total dedication’. Recent highlights include representing Iberia in the first transatlantic airline alliance case to be decided by the European Commission, involving the negotiation of simultaneous commitments under EU and US law. Other recent mandates include advising Freyssinet on a preliminary investigation opened by the Spanish Competition Authority. The ‘very knowledgeable’ Miguel Odriozola oversees the department, with Barcelona-based Miquel Montaña recommended for antitrust litigation.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer performs remarkably strongly on antitrust matters for Spanish corporations and leading multinationals. Recent highlights include acting for Mediapro on a complex dispute with Sogecable over Spanish football TV broadcasting rights. The practice received new instructions from Abertis and Indra, and also represents L’Oréal, Thyssen and Visa Europe. Practice head Francisco Cantos is ‘very business-oriented and a good communicator’, while Álvaro Iza is ‘efficient and capable with very good experience’.

Howrey Martínez Lage, SL’s ‘wonderful’ practice provides a ‘top-level service’ and represented Wella in an investigation by the Spanish Competition Authority on the potentially restrictive effects of an exchange of information scheme. The team also advised Turbomeca, a subsidiary of Safran, on assessing agreements with distributors, and acted for Sogecable in the Spanish Competition Authority’s investigation into football broadcasting rights. Managing partner Santiago Martínez Lage heads the practice which also includes Helmut Brokelman, who is admired for his ‘solid knowledge and clear advice’.

Linklaters SL’s ‘highly professional’ team is led by Jaime Pérez-Bustamente, who ‘provides solutions’ and is praised for his ‘business-oriented approach’. Clients value the team’s abilty to handle multijurisdictional deals, which brings it work for multinationals including ArcelorMittal, Cargill and Novartis as well as Spanish clients such as Grupo ACS, Banco Santander and Iberdrola. The group recently represented longstanding client El Corte Ingles in settlement negotiations before the Basque regional competition authority regarding holiday opening hours. Other instructions came from Hormigones Quinsa, Maxam and Sistema 4B.

Jaime Folguera heads Uría Menéndez’s team of ‘excellent professionals’ and receives excellent feedback for its ‘timely responses’ and ‘ample knowledge of competition law’. Recent work includes acting for Iberdrola, Colomer and Munich Re on Spanish antitrust proceedings, advising Gestevisión Telecinco and Caja Murcia on EU merger control, and advising Roca on EU litigation. The 13-strong team is commended for its ‘appropriate advice, excellent teamwork and in-depth analysis’. Alfonso Gutiérrez is singled out for praise.

Cuatrecasas, Gonçalves Pereira’s EU and competition team is incorporated within its corporate practice. Practice head Andrew Ward specialises in EU and Spanish competition law, and his experience includes notices of sale, joint venture and merger agreements, and advising on authorities’ investigations. He also handles anticompetitive damages claims. Recent highlights include acting as lead antitrust counsel on Enel’s €43bn takeover of Endesa.

DLA Piper Spain S L’s practice is led by the highly respected José María Jiménez-Laiglesia and Juan Jiménez-Laiglesia. Key mandates in 2010 included advising CVC on EU merger control proceedings for the acquisition of joint control over cable operator R, and advising Renault on EU laws on vertical restraints. The team is also advising Renault on developing a franchise network.

Headed by Marcos Araujo, the team at Garrigues ‘provides an excellent level of service and possesses an in-depth knowledge of the industry’. Its clients include ASOBAL (Spanish National Handball Association), Plastic Omnium and La Caixa. In 2010, it lodged an appeal for MAPFRE against a fine for restrictive practices in the building insurance sector. The group also advised W&H on CNC cartel proceedings relating to alleged anticompetitive practices in the wine industry.

Gómez-Acebo & Pombo Abogados provides ‘exceptionally clear advice’ and ‘out-of-the-box thinking in complicated and critical matters’. It recently advised LVMH regarding the European Commission’s review of antitrust rules applying to distribution systems and guidelines on vertical restrictions. Almudena Arpón de Mendívil is ‘absolutely reliable, with such a deep knowledge and experience that you quickly realise you are in the best possible hands’.

Perez-Llorca counts Imperial Tobacco and Schweppes among its key clients. It advised Ecoasfalt and Extraco on an investigation into a bid-rigging cartel, and advised the Spanish Toiletry and Perfumery Association on two separate investigations into an alleged exchange of confidential information and price-fixing agreements. The practice also acted for CEPSA in an appeal against the sanction imposed on it for participating in the Spanish bitumen cartel. Oriol Armengol heads the department.

Allen & Overy’s respected competition practice has been representing CEOPAN in its appeal against a decision by the Spanish Competition Authority that it issued a price recommendation to its members. It also represented Symantec in notifying the Spanish Competition Authority of its acquisition of VeriSign. The group also handles state aid work and antitrust litigation before the Spanish courts. Antonio Martínez heads the practice.

Araoz & Rueda acts for clients including 3i Europe, Sucursal en España, Conservas Garavilla, Dimargrasa and Ferroatlántica. In 2010, the team represented Grupo Caser in responding to a statement of objections by the Spanish Competition Authority regarding the health insurance sector. It also defended Cosmo TV against government fines regarding obligations to finance the Spanish film industry. Ainhoa Veiga is the key contact.

Ashurst LLP regularly acts for high-profile clients including La Caixa and ALSA, and recently advised Sevilla FC regarding TV rights and sports law. It also advised Spanish foundation ONCE on competition issues of distribution agreements for lottery sales. In October 2010, senior associate Rafael Baena became head of the department, taking over from Julio Pascual, who is now of counsel.

Baker & McKenzie provides ‘high-quality advice’ and ‘practical and creative solutions’. The team recently represented clients including Bombas Grudnfos, Eugene Perma and Silgan White Cap in cartel proceedings. Carles Prat heads the team in Barcelona while José Antonio de la Calle heads the Madrid office.

Bird & Bird (Spain) LLP has ‘some of the best competition lawyers in Spain, with high economic and business acumen’. Antonio Creus heads the sizeable department and remains actively involved in litigation before the EU Court of Justice and in state aid cases. It also advises on cartels, merger control and litigation before the Spanish courts.

CMS Albiñana & Suárez de Lezo’s ‘business-oriented and efficient team’ recently acted for Sara Lee in a leniency proceeding for alleged restrictive practices. Other clients include Heineken, Iberdrola, Endesa and Telefónica. Practice head Jesús Alfaro is an ‘accurate adviser’ and Diego Crespo ‘has a professional manner and expert knowledge of competition law’. Senior associate Patricia Liñán is also recommended.

Ángel Valdés heads the team at Eversheds Lupicinio, which also includes Ignacio Zurdo. Recent highlights include advising Nestlé on the competition consequences of its acquisition of Azkoyen, and advising Bavaria Industriekapital on merger filings before Spanish competition authorities. Other clients include Unilever España, easyJet, PepsiCo and Sony.

Hogan Lovells International LLP’s antitrust clients include Nintendo, Motorola, DKNY and Schweppes. In 2010, it acted for Geopost in notifying the Spanish Competition Authority of its acquisition of SEUR. It also advised Scor on sanctions for allegedly agreeing the commercial conditions of decennial insurance.

Jones Day has broad expertise but particularly in the telecoms and energy sectors, and has recently been advising new clients KPN, Voest Alpine, SanDisk and COAG on antitrust matters. The firm also represents Apple, EDF, Toys R Us and Procter & Gamble. Marta Delgado and Raimundo Ortega are the key partner contacts.

Roca Junyent’s broad practice includes specialist areas such as media content rights litigation. Recent highlights include representing Televisió de Catalunya in antitrust proceedings regarding exclusive licences for football broadcasting rights. Practice head Pedro Callol is ‘particularly effective, giving practical advice with a focused approach’.

Ramon García Gallardo leads SJ Berwin’s EU and competition group, which acts on key cases before the CNC and the European Commission, as well as the European and Spanish courts. Recent mandates include advising EDP, Nestlé and Bodegas Garvery on antitrust matters, and advising Harbinger Capital Partners on acquiring control of Spectrum Brands.

Eduardo Abril heads the practice at Garayar Asociados. Clients include Gas Alicante, Gas Natural, Endesa Gas and Reyde.

Herbert Smith LLP’s recently established competition practice is one to watch, following a successful first year. Recent work includes representing a leading Spanish payments company in an investigation over interchange fees. Senior associate Pedro Suarez is well respected for his ‘accuracy, efficiency and friendly attitude’.

Latham & Watkins LLP’s flourishing practice is particularly active in the energy sector. Practice head Javier Ruiz Calzado divides time between Madrid and Brussels.