The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance Other recommended firms

Within Capital markets, tier 4

Ignacio Echenagusia is the leading expert at Herbert Smith LLP, which established its Spanish office in 2009. It is advising the Spanish shareholders – Val, Telco and Grupo Multitel – on ONO’s €200m payment-in-kind bonds. It is also advising Barclays on the capital structure of Campofrio, including a high-yield bond issued in 2009, as part of Barclays’ takeover of Campofrio. Senior partner Álvaro Sáinz is also recommended.

Within Corporate and M&A, tier 4

Herbert Smith LLP’s ‘excellent’ corporate team advised Chevron on the disposal of its Spanish marketing, finished lubricants and aviation businesses and its lubricants blending plant in Valencia. It regularly acts as corporate counsel to Iberdrola in Bilbao. Alvaro Sainz and Nicolas Martín head the team.

Within Dispute resolution , tier 5

Senior associate Javier de Carvajal heads Herbert Smith LLP’s commercial litigation practice, which regularly represents clients before Spanish and international courts. Key team members include Ignacio Paz, who has expertise in energy, infrastructure and environmental matters.

Within EU and competition, tier 5

Herbert Smith LLP represented Antin and RREEF in merger control proceedings before the EC. Of counsel Álvaro Pascual is recommended.

Within Employment Other recommended firms

Within Environment, Herbert Smith LLP is a third tier firm,

Herbert Smith LLP team is ‘business-minded’ and ‘good value for money’. It recently advised Gas Natural on nuclear issues and assisted Berkeley Resources on a new mining project. Ignacio Paz and Miguel Riaño are recommended.

Within Projects and energy, Herbert Smith LLP is a third tier firm,

Herbert Smith LLP has been ‘doing a great job’ since arriving in Spain in 2009, earning instructions such as advising Deutsche Bank regarding project finance for a solar thermoelectric project sponsored by Ferrostaal and Solar Millenium. Senior associate and projects head Marta Sánchez-Villalta ‘demonstrates an extremely good capability for negotiation’, and Miguel Riaño is also recommended.

Within Real estate Other recommended firms

Within Restructuring and insolvency, Herbert Smith LLP is a third tier firm,

Herbert Smith LLP is advising RBS on the restructuring of Imagina’s Group debt, and Grupo Empresarial Ence in insolvency litigation. Alvaro Sainz and senior associate and litigator Javier Carvajal are recommended.

Within Tax, tier 5

‘Premium law firm’ Herbert Smith LLP has a strong tax team, which includes the ‘brilliant’ Nicolás Martín, who ‘seems to love facing challenges and resolving them’, and senior associate Marta Esteban, who is ‘excellent in financial transactions’. Clients include Chevron and Capio.