The Legal 500

Davies Arnold Cooper LLP is renowned for its ‘technical quality’, and is widely recognised as a market leader for liability, insurance and reinsurance disputes, particularly professional indemnity claims and environmental cases. For example, it represented the insurers of Dragados (now ACS) in a major environmental disaster case. Ignacio Figuerol heads the department, which also includes the ‘brilliant’ Paulino Fajardo.

Garrigues represents major European insurers such as Allianz España, Zurich, AEGON and Groupama. It advised Shopnet Brokers on drafting and negotiating a co-operation agreement rendering auxiliary services to the bancassurance operator of Banco Santander. The practice also advises on insurance contract issues, such as a recent instruction from Euler Hermes to prepare its Spanish contractual documentation. Fernando Vives heads the department.

Uría Menéndez enjoys an excellent reputation for national and cross-border matters, and has a significant focus on transactional work. It advised on selling FCC Global Insurance General Services to Aon Group and advised Cajasol on its joint venture with Caser for non-life business bancassurance. José María Segovia and Guillermo San Pedro are the key contacts.

Albors Galiano Portales’ first-class shipping practice has expertise in the full range of marine insurance, including investigation and claims handling. It also advises on liquidation claims. Clients speak highly of Eduardo Albors and Javier Portales.

Ashurst LLP’s insurance department is headed by Maria José Menéndez and includes Eduardo Gracia. One recent highlight was advising Spanish life insurance and pension fund management companies on refunding withholding taxes charged on dividends gained by Spanish pension funds in the EU.

Bird & Bird (Spain) LLP regularly advises longstanding clients Aon and CACI on insurance matters, and continues to advise Seguros RGA on a range of matters including negotiations, trading and regulatory compliance advice.

Clifford Chance actively advises on insurance and reinsurance regulatory issues, insurance policies, mediation, and pension schemes and funds. The team recently advised a leading reinsurance group on selling its Spanish subsidiary. Other clients include Merrill Lynch, Carrefour Group and Barclays. Senior associate Jaime Sánchez heads the practice.

Cuatrecasas, Gonçalves Pereira recently advised Deutsche Bank on the acquisition of its life insurance business by Zurich Financial Services, and on the alliance of both groups to distribute banking and insurance products. Other work examples include advising Mutua Madrileña on corporate legal matters, particularly regarding insurance distribution networks, and advising shareholders of Caser on selling a 20% stake to MAAF Assurances.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer advises domestic and international companies, including longstanding clients Zurich, Alliance and Chartis. Javier Gómez-Acebo is recommended.

Fernando Igartua’s group at Gómez-Acebo & Pombo Abogados receives instructions from insurers including Axa, Marsh and Hansard. Recent highlights include advising Genworth on negotiating a credit insurance policy, and on modifying a reassurance contract with Caser. The team also includes Fernando de las Cuevas, who heads the firm’s corporate department.

Hogan Lovells International LLP has ‘practical knowhow concerning the Spanish insurance market’. In 2010, it continued to represent Boeing and its insurers regarding the Spanair air crash in August 2008. The practice also advised Banco Pastor and its subsidiary Pastor Vida on the €102m bancassurance deal and alliance with Tranquilidade. Joaquin Ruiz Echauri heads the ‘proactive and reactive’ team.

Kennedys has a small but highly regarded practice specialising in insurance and reinsurance. Senior partner Jesus Velez, Philip Hartley, professional negligence expert Michael Walker and insurance litigator Iain Morrison are recommended.