The Legal 500

Bird & Bird (Spain) LLP’s TMT practice is ‘particularly good at understanding complex, technical matters’ and ‘always adapts to the client’s needs’. Managing partner Javier Fernández-Samaniego is an IT specialist. The practice has recently been advising Tom Tom, Google, and longstanding client BT on a range of IT, commercial and consumer law matters. The firm benefits from ‘a good network of lawyers Europe-wide’. Blanca Escribano andMiguel Angel Rodríguez recently left the firm.

TMT is a core practice area for Ecija Abogados. Managing partners Hugo Écija and Álvaro Écija lead a highly regarded team of 56 lawyers, which advises M&C Saatchi on all its Spanish corporate, tax and advertising needs. Other recent highlights include advising ITV Studios, and defending El Mundo TV against claims alleging violation of privacy rights on hidden camera documentaries. Other clients include laSexta, Globomedia and Aliwood. Carlos Sáiz Peña, Juan Salmerón and José Pablo López are highly recommended.

Pablo González-Espejo leads the ‘very good team’ at Uría Menéndez, which also includes Teresa Paz-Ares Rodríguez. The firm has been advising Jazz Telecom on matters including agency agreements and contributions for the financing of a state-owned TV broadcaster. It also acted for Gestevisión Telecinco on the merger of its TV channels Telecinco and Cuatro with Prisa. The firm advised Citibank España on the international personal data transfers of all its centralised databases worldwide, and also represents Microsoft and Unidad Editorial.

Clifford Chance’s ‘superb’ practice is renowned for its ‘excellent knowledge of industry and telecoms law’. It recently acted for ONO on several administrative appeals and advised the client on regulatory issues including new laws on audio-visual communications and the radio-electric spectrum. Practice head Juan José Lavilla is ‘a thorough and enthusiastic analyst of the law’. In October 2010, Pablo Mayor left the practice to join Allen & Overy.

DLA Piper Spain S L has been active on a number of major TMT transactions and disputes including advising CVC Capital Partners on acquiring a 35% stake in cable operator R. It also advised Barclays on transferring its Iberalbión assets to Hewlett Packard. Practice head Diego Ramos, legal director Jason Flint, Josep Julià and Juan Picón are recommended.

Gómez-Acebo & Pombo Abogados provides ‘well thought out advice’ and has ‘a deep knowledge of the Spanish market’. It recently acted on a number of international outsourcing projects, and regularly advises US company Clearwire on litigation, employment, corporate, commercial and regulatory matters. On the media side, it has been advising on co-production projects for films. Almudena Arpón de Mendívil is ‘extremely responsive to clients’ needs’, and Juan José Marín has ‘impressive knowledge’.

Abril Abogados, SL’s widely respected practice has expertise in entertainment and media, including privacy, e-commerce and internet law. The firm was instructed by ONO to take action against a website using confidential company information. Practice head Ignacio Temiño Ceniceros and Carlos Gonzalez Valdes are ‘extremely responsive, and have great legal and business knowledge in the entertainment and media areas’.

Baker & McKenzie’s TMT practice includes Luis Casals and José María Méndez, who ‘proactively inform clients about new developments’. Maite Diez is the leading practitioner for technology and communications. The team recently advised Bank of America on data protection issues arising from its integration of Merrill Lynch’s operations.

Cremades & Calvo-Sotelo’s Javier Cremades has an excellent reputation for his telecoms and IT knowledge.

Cuatrecasas, Gonçalves Pereira recently won a series of cases for Aló against Clearwire Spain. The team also advises international clients including Yell, Microsoft, Kangaroo TV and Apple on regulatory and public law. Paul Hitchings, Nicolas González-Deleito and Alejandro Negro are recommended.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer counts Abertis, BT and Mediapro among its clients, with corporate partner Antoni Valverde as the key contact for TMT matters. The firm recently provided pre-litigation advice to Sony regarding film distribution contracts.

Garrigues acts for a range of telecoms and media clients including Google, which it has been advising in connection with the capture of personal data by Street View cameras in Spain. Jose Ramon Morales leads on IT law and is recommended, as are Jose Maria Anguiano and Miguel Acosta.

Jones Day’s small practice specialises in telecoms, media, e-commerce and privacy. It represents new clients DMP Organization and Jazztel, as well as longstanding client Colt Telecom. Paloma Bru heads the department.

Linklaters SL recruited José Giménez and two associates from CMS Albiñana & Suárez de Lezo in 2009. Giménez is well regarded for his TMT and public law expertise. The team is praised for its ‘excellent quality of work’.

Copyright and corporate law boutique Pedro Alemán Abogados acts for several major names in music publishing, film and television. Founding and managing partner Pedro Alemán Laín is recommended.