Gómez-Acebo & Pombo > Madrid, Spain > Firm Profile

Gómez-Acebo & Pombo > The Legal 500 Rankings

Spain > Environment Tier 1

Gómez-Acebo & Pombo maintains its prominent position in the market, standing out for its expertise in sustainable development, waste management and climate change. Commended for its ‘experience, knowledge and commitment to the environment’, the firm is adept in commercial, litigious and regulatory matters, acting on behalf of a variety of clients. Leadership is shared between Pedro Poveda, an expert in waste and water matters, and Santiago Garrido, whose practice focuses on regulatory mandates and renewable energy. Eduardo Orteu is sought out by national and international clients, including private companies and public entities, for his experience in ESG, taxonomy and waste issues, while Helena Villena Romera is especially active in environmental matters in the natural resources, mining and life sciences sectors.

Spain > Industry focus: Food Tier 1

The team at Gómez-Acebo & Pombo is regularly called upon to assist food and beverage clients with a multitude of non-contentious and contentious matters. Noted for its 'great expertise and experience in the sector', the firm is equipped to handle a mix of M&A, compliance issues, product liability claims and matters related to food chain law, labelling and recalls. Leadership of the group is shared between José Luis Palma, whose strong background in administrative law makes him a go-to choice for advice on food regulations, health claims and animal welfare, and Mónica Weimann, who undertakes a blend of work relating to product advertising, labelling, and acquisitions. IP specialist Sofía Martínez-Almeida is noted for her extensive experience in labelling and advertising matters.

Spain > Industry focus: Manufacturing Tier 1

Fielding a multidisciplinary team, Gómez-Acebo & Pombo is the key port of call for a variety of manufacturing clients, including companies active in the chemicals, plastics, shipping, automotive and industrial equipment sectors. Leadership of the practice is shared between the Madrid-based Ainara Rentería, a highly regarded partner who oversees matters involving the automotive and sustainable mobility industries, and Rick Silberstein in Barcelona, who offers clients assistance with M&A, corporate and contractual mandates.

Spain > Industry focus: Retail Tier 1

The multidisciplinary retail team at Gómez-Acebo & Pombo is well versed in assisting clients with matters relating to real estate, environmental and regulatory issues as well as commercial contracts, consumer law and IP, among other areas. Iñigo Igartua Arregui co-chairs the practice from Barcelona, specialising in corporate, commercial and M&A transactions, alongside the Madrid-based Sofía Martínez-Almeida, whose wide practice encompasses both retail and fashion law, as well as IP and technology matters. Senior associate Isabela Crespo, who sits in the Madrid office, regularly handles data protection, cybersecurity and IP mandates.

Spain > Industry focus: TMT Tier 1

Gómez-Acebo & Pombo draws superlative praise from clients, one of whom describes it as ‘the strongest TMT department in Spain by far‘. Key partner Almudena Arpón de Mendívil is ‘absolutely the star on the Spanish market‘, with clients praising her for ‘an incredible approach with clients – very empathic but keeping the service extremely professional and accurate‘. She is part of a large, multidisciplinary team that provides corporate, regulatory, privacy, finance, tax, and litigation advice to clients across the telecoms, media and technology sectors. She is supported by regulatory specialist Carlos Vázquez, co-heads of IP and tech Sofía Martínez-Almeida and Jesús Muñoz-Delgado, and entertainment and art law partner Anna Viladás Jené. Senior associate Bárbara Sainz De Vicuña also plays a key role in the practice.

Spain > Intellectual property: patents Tier 1

Gómez-Acebo & Pombo‘s IP group frequently advises on protection, commercialisation and licensing matters, but is best known for its litigation practice, which is called upon to protect patents in the technology, life sciences, electronics and telecoms sectors. The lead partners in Madrid are Jesús Muñoz-Delgado, who specialises in biotechnology and plant variety matters, and litigator Sofía Martínez-Almeida. Associate Mercedes Corbal has significant experience in administrative proceedings before the Spanish Patents and Trade Marks Office and the European Union Intellectual Property Office. Partner Gonzalo Ulloa retired in 2023.

Spain > Intellectual property: Trade marks Tier 1

Gómez-Acebo & Pombo has a highly respected IP practice that is active in trade marks, designs, unfair competition, and advertising law, and stands out for its track record in the protection, enforcement litigation and licensing of brands. The lead partners are IP enforcement specialist Jesús Muñoz-Delgado and Sofía Martínez-Almeida, who has extensive expertise in online and digital issues. Martinez-Almeida also leads the firm’s retail and fashion group, while Muñoz-Delgado is a key adviser to clients in the food and life sciences sectors. At associate level, Anna Viladás Jené handles both contentious and non-contentious matters, notably in the entertainment and art industries, while Mercedes Corbal frequently advises on regulatory issues in the food sector. Gonzalo Ulloa retired in 2023.

Spain > Projects and energy Tier 1

Fielding a ‘team of multidisciplinary lawyers’ with solid public law, finance and M&A backgrounds, Gómez-Acebo & Pombo stands out for its ‘deep knowledge of the energy sector and the regulations that apply to it’. The group showcases notable strength in transactional matters, such as M&A involving energy assets, and in the financing and construction of projects. Department co-head Verónica Romaní is retained by a variety of leading national and international players in relation to acquisitions and asset finance deals in regulated sectors, most notably energy. Carlos Vázquez, whose focus lies heavily on administrative and regulatory issues surrounding the energy, water and waste management spaces, jointly oversees the group with Romaní. Santiago Garrido, who is active in transactional, administrative and judicial matters involving environmental law, energy and natural resources, and Borja Carvajal, a reference for project finance and implementation, are also noteworthy.

Spain > Public law Tier 1

Gómez-Acebo & Pombo is well versed in a variety of public law mandates, including regulatory issues, contentious-administrative appeals, public procurement and concessions, covering a wide range of sectors, such as energy, environment, infrastructure, and healthcare. Department head Carlos Vázquez possesses expertise in public law issues related to water, waste, energy and environmental law. A key name to note for environment, energy and pharmaceutical-related matters, Irene Fernández Puyol  is recommended for public contracting issues. Borja Carvajal has a keen focus on the energy and infrastructure sectors, while Juan Alfonso Santamaría Pastor is a reference in the market for administrative law and planning.

Spain > Restructuring and insolvency Tier 1

Lauded as ‘one of the best Spanish restructuring firms‘, Gómez-Acebo & Pombo stands out as a market leader in lender-side restructuring transactions. The team’s client roster features large banks, investment funds, hedge funds, insolvency administrators, private equity houses, and major corporates, who regularly turn to the team for assistance with refinancings, debt-equity swaps, and insolvency proceedings. The firm’s cross-border capabilities are noteworthy; the team frequently collaborates with offices in New York, Lisbon, Brussels, and London. Leadership responsibilities are split between Miguel Lamo de Espinosa, who heads up the restructuring side and ‘remains at the top of his game‘, and Rodrigo López, who oversees insolvency matters. Other key figures include Rafael Aguilera, who represents creditors in large-scale restructuring processes; the ‘exceptionally strong‘ Ferran Foix; insolvency law and commercial litigation specialist Irene Arévalo; and Paula Zarzalejos, who ‘understands the interactions between restructuring and finance, delivering fantastic advice in a user-friendly manner’.

Spain > Banking and finance Tier 2

At Gómez-Acebo & Pombo, the banking, capital markets and insurance group assists lenders – including banks and international funds – and borrowers in sophisticated financing and refinancing transactions in Spain. Advising on US private placements, project finance in the renewable energy and infrastructure sectors, and corporate lending are core areas of activity for the group, which also possesses strong credentials in real estate finance, asset deals and acquisition finance. Leading the department is Miguel Lamo de Espinosa, who marries significant experience in finance and restructurings. Verónica Romaní, who leads the firm’s energy group, specialises in financings in the energy and infrastructure sectors. Based in the firm’s London office, Ferran Foix, a dual-qualified practitioner in the US and Spain, is recommended for cross-border finance and capital markets transactions. Rafael Aguilera is a key contact for domestic financial institutions and credit funds, while Vanessa Armas focuses on the financing of infrastructure and renewable energy projects. Former vice-chair of the CNMV Ana Martinez-Pina heads up the financial services regulatory sub-group.

Spain > Capital markets: Debt Tier 2

The capital markets team at Gómez-Acebo & Pombo is well-placed to act for lead arrangers, underwriters and major issuers in a wide array of DCM transactions, most notably high-yield bonds, private placements and investment grade debt offerings. The firm, which continues to play a key role in securitisation deals in Spain, has been particularly active advising on debt offerings in the domestic market. Corporate governance specialist Guillermo Guerra has extensive experience in ECM and DCM matters, including sustainability-linked products and commercial note programmes. Ferran Foix, who heads up the firm’s London office, is proficient in complex bond restructurings and notes issuance programmes.

Spain > Capital markets: Equity Tier 2

Singled out for its ‘strong technical knowledge‘ and availability, the capital markets team at Gómez-Acebo & Pombo is well-positioned to advise on an array of domestic and cross-border ECM transactions, with a particular emphasis on the telecoms sector. Typical instructions include IPOs on BME Growth, public offerings, capital increases. and takeovers of listed companies. Splitting his time between Madrid and London, Ferran Foix is best known for his restructuring and refinancing expertise; he jointly heads up the capital markets practice with Madrid-based Guillermo Guerra, a key contact for IBEX-35 companies in relation to corporate governance issues. Jacobo Palanca stands out at associate level for his involvement in ECM deals, including IPOs and capital increases, and corporate governance.

Spain > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 2

Home to ‘a very professional, competent and stable team of lawyers‘, Gómez-Acebo & Pombo possesses ‘extensive experience in M&A transactions‘ in key economic sectors, including TMT, banking and energy. Leading the department, Álvaro Mateo shines on private equity deals and M&A involving the technology segment. Managing partner Iñigo Erláiz marries in-depth knowledge of corporate and commercial law with significant experience in M&A, PE and insolvency mandates. Guillermo Guerra Martín is the name to note for corporate governance matters, which is also an area of expertise for Estibaliz Aranburu. Pablo Fernández Cortijo takes the lead on energy-related deals. The practice was recently reinforced by the May 2023 addition of Alexander Kolb, a seasoned M&A and PE practitioner who joined from Linklaters, and by the arrival of counsel Jorge Martín from Clifford Chance in September 2023.  Martín is especially active in the PE, infrastructure, TMT and energy sectors.

Spain > Dispute resolution Tier 2

Lauded as ‘one of the best Spanish procedural and arbitration law firms’, Gómez-Acebo & Pombo covers a myriad of litigation matters, encompassing corporate, commercial, competition, financial, and insolvency disputes. The practice also frequently handles arbitration proceedings under the rules of all major arbitral institutions, including ICC, ICSID, and the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce, catering to companies from a range of industries including construction, industrial, energy, and finance. Leadership responsibilities are shared between civil and commercial litigation specialist Inés Vázquez; Rodrigo López and Irene Arévalo, both of whom focus their practice on contentious insolvency and restructuring matters. Associate Luis López Alonso is also active in both national and international commercial disputes.

Spain > EU and competition Tier 2

The competition group at Gómez-Acebo & Pombo is highlighted for its ‘very good technical knowledge’ and ‘open and accessible professionals’ who readily assist with state aid, merger control, damages claims and litigation. The firm attracts instructions from a multitude of major domestic and international companies, standing out for its presence in the transport, pharmaceuticals, energy and telecoms sectors. 'Magnificent professional' Íñigo Igartua, whose ‘extraordinary knowledge of competition law’ is rated by clients, stands at the helm of the department. The Barcelona-based practice head is supported by a team of competition law specialists: Miguel Troncoso, who focuses on state aid and litigation at the EU level; and Eduardo Gómez De La Cruz, who regularly handles commercial agreements and M&A. The team has been bolstered by the arrival Andrew Ward, a seasoned and highly regarded practitioner with a wealth of experience in merger control and antitrust investigations, who joined from Cuatrecasas in September 2023.

Spain > Intellectual property: Copyright Tier 2

Gómez-Acebo & Pombo is known for its ‘attention to detail and client-oriented  service'. The lead partners are Jesús Muñoz-Delgado, who handles the protection and enforcement of copyright, as well as technology transfer matters, and experienced litigator Sofía Martínez-Almeida. They oversee a broad range of copyright, digital business and technology work including advisory, contractual, regulatory, transactional and contentious matters for a diverse range of clients, among them international gaming and technology companies, food and beverage giants, fashion houses, and media businesses. The firm is also growing demand for its niche advice on artificial intelligence, blockchain, virtual and augmented reality, deepfakes, the metaverse, and NFTs. Senior associate Bárbara Sainz De Vicuña is active in copyright enforcement.  

Spain > Transport: Other transport Tier 2

The department at Gómez-Acebo & Pombo is recommended for its ability to advise on aviation, automotive, mobility, transport and logistics-related matters. Jointly chaired by Fernando Herrero, Ainara Rentería, and Miguel Ángel García Otero, the team is praised for its ‘great professionalism and commitment‘. Herrero is noted for his experience in asset finance; Rentería takes the lead on automotive and sustainable mobility mandates; and Otero excels on regulatory issues in the transport and logistics spaces. José Canalejas provides additional support in shipping and aviation finance transactions, while Marina Carreño is a key contact for matters relating to the Cape Town Convention.

Spain > White-collar crime Tier 2

Gómez-Acebo & Pombo fields 'a team of highly specialised lawyers with a deep understanding of the legal complexities surrounding the criminal and compliance sector'. The group is adept at handling high-profile cases for major companies, financial institutions and high-net-worth individuals in instances of tax offences, money laundering, asset tracing, fraud and corruption; its broad service offering also extends to environmental and labour issues. Carlos Sáiz is recommended for marrying ‘humility, humanity and availability’ with deep expertise in criminal proceedings. He jointly heads up the team with Vanessa Fernández , whose experience in compliance matters and litigation before the national courts is noteworthy.

Spain > Employment Tier 3

Gómez-Acebo & Pombo handles a variety of employment law mandates, including M&A transactions, social security and contractual issues, workplace incidents, benefit structures and court proceedings. Ignacio Del Fraile, a specialist in health and safety-related matters, is regularly engaged in workforce restructurings, remuneration schemes and pension issues. The firm was reinforced by the addition of Carlos de la Torre from Baker McKenzie in November 2022; he brings a wealth of experience in social security matters. Lourdes Escassi has a keen focus on collective negotiations, individual terminations and litigation.

Spain > Industry focus: Healthcare and life sciences Tier 3

Primarily based in Madrid, the robust team at Gómez-Acebo & Pombo maintains its focus on innovation within the sector, primarily concentrating on R&D and commercialisation issues. Regulatory expert Irene Fernández Puyol leads the team, advising on the full range of issues relating to medicinal products, promotional materials, and medical devices. Jesús Muñoz Delgado has ample expertise in IP and unfair competition mandates, particularly within the biotech space. Dual qualified in California and Spain, Rick Silberstein handles corporate governance mandates from the Barcelona office, while Alex Carbonell is known for his deep knowledge of M&A and tech transactions.

Spain > Insurance Tier 3

The trusted adviser to some of the main players in the Spanish insurance market, Gómez-Acebo & Pombo is regularly called upon to assist with policy drafting, corporate governance, regulatory matters and transactional work. Ana Martinez-Pina, the main point of contact for pension funds, investment firms and credit institutions seeking advice on regulatory issues, leads the practice alongside Iñigo Erláiz, who has deep expertise in M&A and bancassurance agreements.

Spain > Private equity Tier 3

At Gómez-Acebo & Pombo, the ‘dynamic‘ private equity and venture capital practice is adept at advising all types of funds and their managers on the entire spectrum of related matters, including fund formation, financings, investments and special situations. Recently appointed co-head Álvaro Mateo is skilled in domestic and cross-border M&A, VC and PE deals; he jointly oversees the practice with managing partner Iñigo Erláiz, who has a wealth of experience acting for sponsors and target companies in high-end transactions. Noted for his ‘excellent knowledge‘ of the PE market, Pablo Fernández Cortijo is often engaged by sponsors and international players in multijurisdictional matters. The practice was reinforced in September 2023 by the addition of Jorge Martín, a reference for financial investors and listed companies; he joined from Clifford Chance as of counsel.

Spain > Real estate and construction Tier 3

With offices in Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia, the real estate and planning team at Gómez-Acebo & Pombo assists clients in a variety of matters, from joint ventures and developments, to project finance and disposals. Enrique Isla adeptly handles a spread of corporate real estate mandates, while Jaime Díaz de Bustamante’s specialty lies in the financing, construction and acquisition of real estate assets. Natalia Callejo and Marta González-Llera are no longer at the firm.

Spain > Tax Tier 3

The tax team at Gómez-Acebo & Pombo is praised for its orientation to ‘seek practical solutions in complex matters that guarantee obtaining the desired results‘ across a range of tax issues, including M&A, financing, and refinancing-related matters. It counts IBEX-35 and multinational corporates, investment funds, financial institutions, and private individuals among its clients. Enrique Ortega leads the team and has particular knowledge of Spanish corporate tax, handling both non-contentious and litigation matters. Javier Vinuesa, who specialises in corporate taxation, tax controversies, and wealth planning, is also of note, while Eduardo Martínez-Matosas has expertise in tax structuring and cross-border M&A and reorganisations. Mariana Díaz-Moro is also noted for transactional tax mandates; clients note that she is always ‘one step ahead in the advice she provides’.

Spain > Data privacy and data protection Tier 4

Gómez-Acebo & Pombo has a ‘well-trained, very friendly team‘ whose work encompasses legal opinions on the protection of personal data, advice on the implementation of data protection protocols and policies, data protection audits, international data transfers, privacy and cookie policies, and broader cybersecurity matters. Senior associate Isabela Crespo leads the practice, with clients praising her ‘knowledge, sympathy and proactivity’. Crespo, who focuses on data protection and privacy, cybersecurity, and digital law, works closely with fellow senior associate Bárbara Sainz De Vicuña, who handles IT and IP matters.

Spain > Transport: Shipping Tier 4

With particular strength in ship financing matters, Gómez-Acebo & Pombo acts for major Spanish banks, shipping and charter companies, as well as international financial institutions. The practice, which often collaborates with the firm's banking and finance specialists, has a strong presence in Vigo, a key location for shipbuilding clients. Asset and infrastructure financing expert Carlos Rueda and Miguel Lamo de Espinosa jointly oversee the team that also includes Fernando Herrero, who focuses on asset finance, María García De La Concha Álvarez, a reference for shipbuilders, and José Canalejas.

Portugal > Real estate and construction Tier 4