The Legal 500

Albors Galiano Portales has ‘an undeniably great reputation’ and ‘an impressive portfolio of clients’. The firm, which has offices in Madrid, Barcelona and Bilbao, acts for insurance and shipping companies from Spain and abroad, as well as marine terminal operators, shipyards and various international trade companies. Javier Galiano is ‘a real star’ who is ‘fantastic to deal with’, and Eduardo Albors is also highly recommended, particularly for ship finance, insurance and reinsurance.

Uría Menéndez’s ‘very client-oriented team’ advised RBS, DVB Bank and ABN AMRO on the refinancing of two shipbuilding loans, and acted for Bombardier in litigation over sale contracts relating to three train locomotives. Marina Barcelona and its insurer Generali Seguros called upon the firm to defend a large claim for damages for pollution filed by the owners and insurers of a mega yacht. Team head Carlos López-Quiroga has ‘in-depth knowledge of the shipping sector’, and Julio López Quiroga has ‘excellent legal and technical knowledge’, and is ‘very accessible’ and ‘hardworking’. Tomás Fernández-Quirós is also recommended.

Blas de Lezo acts for a mix of Spanish and foreign clients, a significant portion of which are based in Mexico and the Baltic region. Recent mandates include advising on the bankruptcy of Morrocan carriers Comarit and Comanav Ferry. The team is also representing the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in several international matters. Managing partner Miquel Roca is dual-qualified in the UK and Spain, and is extremely well regarded.

Gómez-Acebo & Pombo Abogados’ ‘outstanding’ team is ‘rated extremely highly for response times and commerciality’. Practice head Carlos Rueda provides ‘clear advice that is to-the-point and reflects commercial sensitivities’. The practice is best known for shipping and aviation finance, and is ‘good in high-value transactions’.

Meana Green Maura & Co’s advice covers personal injury and employment law relating to the shipping industry, as well as pollution cases and litigation arising from breaches of marine and port safety regulations.

Mestre Abogados handles all aspects of maritime, transport and international trade law, and its client base includes shipowners, insurers, P&I clubs, importers, exporters, and freight forwarders. Anna Mestre is ‘very popular’ and has ‘great entrepreneurial skills’.

Ruiz-Gálvez Abogados SLP has a solid reputation for all areas of transport law, with particular emphasis on shipping and maritime cases. Its clients include various insurers. The firm regularly handles contractual and damages claims, and matters relating to transport logistics, and accident insurance coverage. The six-strong team includes Fernando Ruiz-Gálvez Villaverde.

San Simon & Duch handles the full range of transport, insurance, reinsurance, and international trade matters. Its caseload includes marine accidents, hull and cargo insurance, ship finance, vessel arrests, and general average. It also advises transport companies on bankruptcy and insolvency. Luis de San Simón is recommended.

Arizon Abogados SLP’ has ‘the ability to organise and structure issues very well’, and ‘always concentrates on client service, which is clearly appreciated’. It is representing two P&I clubs in separate cases involving alleged marine pollution and a cargo claim. Managing partner Felipe Arizon is ‘outstanding in his field’.

Abogados Asociados para el Comercio, la Navegacion y la Industria, SL is particularly strong in shipping arbitration, but it handles all aspects of shipping law as well as trade and energy. Managing partner Albert Badia is recommended.

Amya Abogados focuses on shipping, but is also well known for air, road, rail and multimodal freight and passenger matters. Recent shipping instructions include financing, insurance and disputes. Founding partner José Maria Alcántara is recommended.

Cuatrecasas, Gonçalves Pereira is advising Aena on the development of a new airport management system, and representing Spanair in proceedings arising from a workforce downsizing. Other clients include Transnáutica and Varadero Port Denia. Albert Garrofé leads the group.

Garrigues recently acted for Naviera Armas to negotiate contracts with shipbuilders and financial institutions to build two vessels worth €220m. The team also acted for shipowner Armas Cruceros following the grounding of a vessel on the Moroccan coast; the firm assisted with negotiations with the insurer, and with claims from passengers. Manuel Betancor and Manuel Torres are recommended.

Goñi & Co Abogados handles a range of transport matters, including insurance issues, and is strong in litigation and arbitration. José Luis Goñi and Roberto Sanz Abascal are recommended.

Miguel Ángel Sánchez and Luis Alfonso Fernández lead Hogan Lovells International LLP’s practice, which advised Banco Popular-Pastor, in its role as arranger, on tax structuring of the financing of Dutch charterer Antwerp Port Authority’s acquisition of two vessels in Unión Naval de Valencia.

Lebrero Abogados S.R.L.P. has experience in maritime and aviation disputes, as well as non-contentious matters. Recent work includes advising on shipbuilding and air-freight contracts, financing and leasing. Senior partner Rodolfo González-Lebrero is recommended.

Muñoz & Montañes is ‘very much liked and respected in the market’. Traditionally, the practice has mainly acted for shipowners and carriers, but it has broadened its client base to include consignees, forwarders and logistic operators.

Perez Albors | & Co’s managing partner Carlos Perez has ‘very good knowledge of shipping law’ and ‘knows what P&I clubs and shipowners require in terms of clear advice and speed of response’. The firm recently acted for a Singaporean shipping operator in a debt-related claim against a vessel owner that filed for bankruptcy.

Estudio Jurídico Rodrigo de Larrucea specialises in the maritime and multimodal transport industry, handling various contentious and non-contentious matters including health and environmental law.

Broseta Abogados’ aviation-focused practice defended Vueling, Air Nostrum and Air Europa against liability actions filed by Aena for faulty provision of traffic control services.

Eversheds Nicea’s aviation team advises clients such as LAN, Avianca and Tam Airlines.

Ventura Garcés & López-Ibor, Abogados acts for various clients from the aviation industry, including GE Capital Aviation Services and Australian Airlines.