Leading Individuals

Firms To Watch: Industry focus: Food

Led by corporate and M&A partner Pablo González Mosqueira, the food department at Pérez-Llorca advises a range of domestic and multinational clients, with strength in dispute resolution as well as real estate, public and regulatory, employment and corporate law.

Industry focus: Food in Spain

Cuatrecasas

Cuatrecasas maintains its standing as a leader in the food and beverage sector, acting for prominent clients in export and import matters. The practice is also noted for tending to client needs in relation to multiple stages of a product’s life cycle, from the production to the packaging, naming, transporting and marketing of goods. In Barcelona, Jorge Llevat is a standout lawyer, drawing on his background in IP law to represent a multitude of clients in relevant litigation, exemplified by his recent role in infringement proceedings surrounding the Granini juice bottle shape trade mark.

Other key lawyers:

Jorge Llevat


Key clients

Pernod Ricard


Eckes Granini


Agrolimen


M Lagares


Jealsa Rianxeira


Biotech Foods


Costa Food


Angulas Aguinaga


Salsas de Salteras


Heineken


Interfilm


Grupo Linamar


Q-impact


Seaya Ventures


Triodos Impact Strategies


Atlantinc Blue


Work highlights


  • Advised Pernord Ricard with regards to the registration of trade marks, worldwide trade mark license agreements, and the challenging of third parties’ trade marks.
  • Representing Eckes Graninin in infringement proceedings relating to the Granini juice bottle shape trade mark.
  • Advised Atlantic Blue on selling its business to the Chilean company Hortifrut for a value of $280m.

Garrigues

The team at Garrigues has an impressive offering and is noted for ‘designing solutions to merge local and international requirements‘, acting for noteworthy conglomerates and operators in the market in an M&A context. Working out of Murcia and Sevilla, Miguel Ángel López and Jose Ramón Tenor act as co-directors of the firm’s agribusiness initiative, which draws strength from 17 offices in the country to act in some of the largest M&A transactions in the market. Also noted is Francisco Soler, who heads the Valencia office, with broad expertise in the corporate and commercial spaces.

Other key lawyers:

Francisco Soler


Testimonials

‘Multidisciplinary team, which allows a complete perspective, focusing on issues with the particularities and nuances of the industry that may have an impact on the analysis or evaluation of certain actions and operations. They share a broad vision of the relevant issues that affect the industry and have deep experience.’

‘It is the personalized attention and availability of partners and associates that differentiates this law firm and team from others.’

‘Garrigues possess first rate agriculture industry expertise from acting for all sides of transactions. They understand local issues, delivered at international / institutional standards, and are adept at designing solutions to merge local and international requirements.’

‘Specialization in the food industry, and particularly in the fruit and vegetable industry, gives clients greater legal certainty and anticipation of new regulations that may be implemented in the sector.’

‘Miguel Angel Lopez Mateo, Maria Pedreno and Marta Gonzalez Pajuelo have all been exceptional in their support. They are all knowledgeable, experienced and a pleasure to work with.’

‘The main advantage of Garrigues is the level of trust that exists, the knowledge they have and the ease of collaboration. They are a team with a high level of experience and knowledge of the issues. Constant updating and training in news. Extensive knowledge of international regulations, which applies very well in multinational groups.’

‘High level of trust. Involvement in the topics and very easy to approach topics with them. The level of professional training and issue resolution is very high.’

‘The Garrigues team performs a task that is completely different from other law firms by being fully connected to all the business people in the area and serving as a source of origination of opportunities in addition to providing high-quality legal services.’

Key clients

Mercadona


Ebro Foods


Carrefour


Central Lechera Asturiana


DIA


Citrico Global


AMC Group


Ybarra Alimentación


Climate Asset Management


Cibus Fund


Agrupapulpí


Bimbo


Virto Frozen Foods


Sunridge Partners


Platano de Canarias


Covirán


Virú


El Pozo Alimentación


Pernod Ricard


Deoleo


Estrella de Galicia


Eurobanan


Findus


De Prado


Pan Star


Pago de Carrovejas


COREN


ACOR


Bonnysa


G’s Group


Lactalis-Forlasa


Grupo Mahou


Grefusa


Moyca Grapes


Grupo El Ciruelo


La Unión


DAT-Schaub Gallent


Friselva


Nueva Pescanova


Argal


Consorcio de Exportación Amaco


Fuencampo


PozoSur


Tereos


Work highlights


  • Advised the vendor (Atitlan) and the purchaser (DePrado) in a  farmland transaction of 9,000 hectares of productive surface in almond and olive trees.
  • Advised Citrico Global in the acquisition of the fresh produce business branches of Grupo San Miguel in both Perú and South Africa.
  • Advised Alsea SAB de CV on a refinancing transaction.

Gómez-Acebo & Pombo

Gómez-Acebo & Pombo's multidisciplinary approach is valued by a roster of food manufacturers and distributors in the region, which it advises on entry to new markets or the growth of their presence at a national and EU level by addressing transactional and contentious issues. Mónica Weimann and José Luis Palma share leadership of the Madrid-based team, with the former displaying expertise in digital food marketplaces as well as distribution channels; Palma is a leading figure in food and administrative law, active in matters in relation to health claims, animal welfare and food quality. Sofía Martínez-Almeida and Jesús Muñoz-Delgado are further key contacts, noted on the intellectual property front, with a focus on trade marks, design and unfair competition litigation.

Testimonials

‘The closeness and permanent attention to the client.’

Key clients

Coca-Cola European Partners


Ferrero Iberica


Galletas Gullón


Grupo Kaiku Corporación Alimentaria


Makro/Metro Group


Mercadona


Nestlé España


Red Bull


LIDL Supermercados


Interporc


Nutreco Iberia


Jacobs Douwe Egberts


Grupo Sanlucar


Fall Creek Farm & Nursery


Asociación Interprofesional del Porcino de Capa Blanca (INTERPORC)


Organización Interprofesional del Vino de España (OIVE)


Organización Interprofesional de la Carne de Vacuno (PROVACUNO)


Organización Interprofesional para el Impulso del Sector Cunícola (INTERCUN)


Organización Interprofesional del Huevo y sus Productos (INPROVO)


Organización Interprofesional del Aceite de Orujo de Oliva (ORIVA)


Cooperativas Agro-alimentarias de España


Asociación Nacional de Empresas de Aceite de Orujo de Oliva (ANEO)


Asociación Nacional de Industriales Envasadores y Refinadores de Aceites Comestibles (ANIERAC)


Asociación Española de la Industria y el Comercio Exportador del Aceite de Oliva (ASOLIVA)


Federación Española de Industriales Fabricantes de Aceites de Oliva (INFAOLIVA)


Work highlights


  • Advised Mercadona on the implementation of a compliance programme.
  • Advised several companies in relation to the development of a project for the transformation of the Spanish meat-livestock chain, financed with funds from the Next Generation EU programme.
  • Designed and developed a system to ensure knowledge of and compliance with competition laws in Africa.

Uría Menéndez

Uría Menéndez's specialist food and health group provides ‘guaranteed quality’, an expectation fulfilled by a sizeable team of practitioners with experience in the M&A, regulatory, contractual and IP spheres. Leadership of the practice is divided between Montiano Monteagudo in Barcelona and Teresa Paz-Ares in Madrid, both of whom are regarded for a range of contentious and non-contentious work.

Other key lawyers:

Sara García Vázquez


Testimonials

‘Very close to the business. Rapid. Efficient.’

‘They are the best. Exceptional quality. High quality standard. Efficient solutions.’

‘Uría Menéndez is a guarantee of quality; they are integrated into the case in such a way that they have to defend that they make it their own and they defend it tooth and nail.’

‘Uría is a multidisciplinary office. It is a safe firm to turn to when faced with a complex matter and/or with an impact on multiple jurisdictions. They are rigorous and transparent, with great technical solidity.’

‘Sara García Vázquez is an exceptional professional, with tremendous technical strength, extremely rigorous and 100% involved with the client. Empathises with the client, and is able to find the perfect balance between business and legal advice. These qualities make her very valuable for in-house lawyers, since the decisions that are adopted, supported by her advice, are always the best possible decisions, providing security and peace of mind to the in-house lawyer.’

Key clients

Danone


Primo Water


Coca-Cola European Partners


Diageo


Grupo Mahou


Mars Wrigley Group


Cerealto Siro


Galletas Gullón


Go Fruselva


Nomen Foods


Glovo


Fidia


Solutex


Work highlights


  • Advising Grupo Cerealto Siro on its approximately €391m recapitalisation and debt restructuring.

Andersen

From a client’s perspective, Andersen stands out because it is ‘involved in key regulatory changes affecting companies in the sector and is able to get ahead of problems‘, a characteristic that benefits the firm when acting across the commercial, IP, competition and EU law frameworks. The agri-food practice is led by José Miguel Soriano in Madrid, who is active in relation to disputes and advice surrounding the Food Chain Act, and Ignacio Aparicio in Valencia, a corporate and M&A specialist with ‘exceptional knowledge of the sector‘.

Testimonials

‘Andersen has a unique background and multidisciplinary team in the entire Spanish legal market. The team has exceptional knowledge of the food sector, from all areas: regional, national and community. It is involved in the main regulatory changes that affect all companies in the sector and is able to anticipate problems, achieving greater efficiency in the company.’

‘They are of fundamental value for the main companies in the sector with which they work, bringing their clients closer to all the institutions that affect the regulation of the sector.’

‘Ignacio Aparicio is fully involved in each of the matters entrusted to him. His knowledge of the sector is exceptional and his strategic contribution is essential for the improvement of the organization, allowing us to offer great added value. He stands out for his dedication, kindness, accessibility, knowledge and great focus on the needs of the client.’

‘Professionalism, proximity, availability, experience, knowledge of the subject.’

‘Approach taking into account the reality and needs of the company. Sincerity focused on finding the best position in the face of problems that may arise.’

‘Andersen’s main asset is its extensive international coverage and the size of a large multidisciplinary firm, but at the same time the closeness and professionalism of its lawyers who deal with matters.’

‘Andersen lawyers are highly specialized in the areas in which they advise and are up to date with any developments that may affect a business and in the sector. Without a doubt, Ignacio Aparicio stands out in corporate and M&A and Adargelio Garrido, a great expert in industrial property.’

Key clients

Goya Alimentación


Migasa


The Natural Fruit Company


Emperador Inc.


Productos Velarte


Grupo Lalala


FEPEX


Imperial Tobacco


Federación Española de Alimentación y Bebidas


Federación Española del Vino


Bodegas Emilio Moro


Avramar Group


Interaceituna


Grupo Emperador


Helados Estiu


Foodiverse


Congelados y Frescos del Mar


Imperial Tobacco


Redondo Iglesias


Work highlights


  • Advised Homeria Open Solutions on the sale of 100% of the company, which includes WinDelivery, the first global SaaS in the food delivery sector, to Glovo.
  • Advised Dinosol Supermercados on the new Food Chain Law.
  • Advised The Natural Fruit Company on the acquisition of Hermanos Bruñó.

Baker McKenzie

Baker McKenzie leverages its recognition as a full-service firm to attract major international brands with operations in the region as well as Spanish multinationals with significant exporting mandates worldwide. The team, which acts for the likes of Unilever, Mondelēz and Danone, is led by Barcelona-based Cristina Duch and Juanjo Corral in Madrid. Duch spearheads the firm’s IP, unfair competition and advertising offerings, while Corral often advises on a wide range of corporate and M&A issues.

Practice head(s):

Cristina Duch; Juanjo Corral


Key clients

AmRest Holdings SE


Black Rifle Coffee Company


Celler Mas Doix


Corporación Alimentaria Peñasanta


Danone


Distribuidora Internacional de Alimentación


Lidl


Miquel Alimentació


Mondelez


Pepsico


Unilever


Work highlights


  • Assisted Campofrio Food Group in the drafting and approval of its Whistleblowing Policy for Europe and its adaptation to the requirements of Directive 2019/1937.
  • Advised Del Monte Pacific on its acquisition of a minority stake in Nice Fruit Group.
  • Advised Torreal Sociedad de Capital Riesgo on the tax planning of the divestment in BRCC through a SPAC listing.

Bird & Bird

Bird & Bird offers a comprehensive service for food-sector clients in competition, antitrust, IP and data protection matters. The team is led by four partners in Madrid: Lourdes Ayala also leads the corporate and M&A department with a wide industry focus, while Antonio Cueto is the key contact for IP. Other notable figures in the leadership team include patent and trade secret litigation expert Manuel Lobato and Mariano Santos, a specialist in the processing of trade marks in Spain and the EU. Senior consultant Diana Sendagorta is a name to note for finance, capital markets and real estate work.

Other key lawyers:

Diana Sendagorta


Testimonials

‘Always helpful, thinking out of the box. Patience is a virtue, explaining consequences, open minded, etc’.’

Key clients

Amc Fresh Group Fast Moving Consumer Goods


Beam Suntory


Aora Health


Bacoa Holding


Costa Coffee


Enofestival


Frutarom International


Hard Rock Limited


Hj Heinz Goods Spain


Jollibee Foods Corporation


Kfc Restaurants Spain


Llaollao España


Mediterra Capital Partners


Oatly


Pharmactive Biotech Products


Pizzaexpress


Pomona Keepers


Toogoodtogo


Vegan Junk Food


World Bulk Wine Exhibitions


Work highlights


  • Advising Jollibee Foods Corporation on its arrival to Spain and expansion in the country.
  • Representing Foodbox in intellectual property matters, advising the company on its brand expansion strategy.
  • Advising LLAOLLAO, a yoghurt ice cream retailer, in relation to the update of its local and international franchise agreements structure.

DLA Piper

Led by Diego Ramos, who is praised for his commercial and IP law experience, DLA Piper‘s Madrid team is a popular choice for consumer product manufacturers and multinational companies, which the team assists in a range of transactions, investigations and disputes. Supporting these efforts are Paula González De Castejón, regarded for regulatory compliance packages and Joaquín Hervada, head of the EU and competition team.

Practice head(s):

Diego Ramos


Key clients

Nazca Capital


Little Caesar Enterprises


Amundi


Soto Sake Corporation


Bacardi Iberia


Stuart Delivery


Mondelez


Nutreco Iberia


El Corte Inglés


Hard Rock


Work highlights


  • Advised Mondelēz with regard to privacy and competition law matters in the context of Spanish sales.
  • Advised Bacardi on commercial terms for sales in Spain.
  • Advised Little Caesars in relation to food regulation and publicity matters in the course of its expansion.

Ramón y Cajal Abogados

Ramón y Cajal Abogados offers ‘brilliant technical quality‘ to its clients, which further appreciate its ‘great coordination with other areas of the firm‘. The practice is particularly capable in issues relating to the Food Chain Law, fielding practitioners with unique involvement in the legislation’s enactment. Public law expert José Ignacio Vega and competition specialist Pedro Suarez lead the agri-food department alongside counsel Javier Salinas, another key contact for competition law matters.

Testimonials

‘Knowledge and level of experience in the issues. RyC are among those with the best evaluation. Excellent availability for all kinds of queries with very good disposition in a timely manner by the assigned lawyers.’

‘The professional capacity. The facilities that it provides in the relationship with the client. The follow-up of the processes.’

‘Quality services. Another distinctive value compared to the competition is that it is an area that in RyC coordinates well with other areas of the firm, which helps to defend interests in a transversal way.’

Key clients

Alcampo


Azucarera


Industrias Cárnicas Tello


Mercadona


Adevin


Alcoholera de la Puebla


Schreiber


Alcoholes De Tomelloso


Cesfac


Aecoc


Borges


Aene


Lidl


Makro


Andi


Asedas Fiab


Innomy


Algarve


Casa Ametller


Mostos, Vinos y Alcoholes


Alvines


Work highlights


  • Advised Alcampo on the compatibility of the framework agreements and standard conditions with the Food Chain Law.
  • Advised Industrias Cárnicas Tello on the acquisition of Hemosa.
  • Advised AENE on the successful challenge of a Decree adopted by the Government of Aragon before the High Court of Justice of Aragon.