The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance, Araoz & Rueda is a third tier firm,

For ‘top-level service in a boutique fashion’, Araoz & Rueda is ‘a very good challenger to the larger firms’. Guillermo Yuste made partner in 2011; both he and Clifford Hendel ‘are very knowledgeable of the Spanish legal framework’, and ‘willing to put in extra effort to close a transaction’. Clients include Deutsche Bank, Svenska Handelsbanken and Landsbanski Islands.

Within Corporate and M&A, Araoz & Rueda is a second tier firm,

‘Excellent boutique’ Araoz & Rueda is ‘very strong in the private equity area’. Led by Pedro Rueda, ‘one of the best lawyers in Madrid’, the firm advised Doughty Hanson on the acquisition of Empresa Turística de Autobuses, and acted for Minicentrales on the sale of a 35% stake in RP Global to Hydrocontracting. It advised USP Hospitales on the joint venture with Hospital Arttysur Bahía for the management and ownership of a new hospital in Los Barrios, and advised El Derecho on the sale of its stake to Editorial Francis Lefebvre. Francisco Aldavero is recommended.

Within Dispute resolution , tier 4

Araoz & Rueda’s ‘performance is outstanding and is definitely worth the money’. It has a number of clients in the renewable energy sector. Key contact Iñigo Rodríguez-Sastre is ‘a very sound litigator’, who ‘provides top-notch advice’ and has ‘a well-deserved reputation for his skills in court’. Alejandro Fernández de Araoz is also ‘an excellent lawyer’, arbitrator Clifford Hendel is ‘very strong technically’, and Íñigo Rodríguez-Sastre is ‘a very sound litigator’.

Within EU and competition, tier 4

Araoz & Rueda’s team is ‘always available, with a high level of commitment’. The firm is advising Ferroatlántica on the competition aspects of investigation and development and technology transfer agreements, and advised USP Hospitales on merger control issues. Practice head Ainhoa Veiga is ‘really intelligent; she captures the essence of the problem in a second and quickly provides solutions’.

Within Employment, tier 4

Araoz & Rueda’s small but robust practice is led by Alfonso Suárez, ‘a true star’ and ‘one of the best lawyers in his field in Spain’. Recent higlights include advising USP Hospitales in proceedings following the dismissal of top-level executives, and advising Doughty Hanson on the auction sale of a transport company.

Within Intellectual property Other recommended firms

Within Projects and energy, Araoz & Rueda is a third tier firm,

Araoz & Rueda has expertise in hydrocarbons, gas and electricity, as well as in industry liberalisation and deregulation. The firm advised Longsol on the €80m acquisition of two renewable energy projects in France, and on four photovoltaic power plants in León. Francisco Solchaga is the key contact.

Within Real estate Other recommended firms

Within Restructuring and insolvency Other recommended firms

Within Tax, tier 4

At Araoz & Rueda, ‘the level of service is excellent’ and ‘responses are clear and accurate’. It advised Temporis Capital on investments and divestments in cleantech energy projects, and prepared tax structures for RHJ International to invest in Spain. Grupo Tecnipublicaciones is a regular client. New practice head Javier Prieto joined from Ramón y Cajal Abogados in 2011, replacing Alvaro de la Via, who joined Olswang.