The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance, Garrigues is a second tier firm,

Garrigues advised YPF on financing investments, and acted for a syndicate of lenders in granting a revolving credit facility to Campofrio. The corporate restructuring team also experienced a surge in activity. Rafael González-Gallarza heads the practice, which also includes José Guardo, Pablo San Gil and Lluis Esquerra.

Within Capital markets, Garrigues is a first tier firm,

Garrigues has a wealth of experience in hybrid and subordination transactions and securities law, meaning it is ‘at the top of the market for Spanish law advice’. With regards to debt capital markets, it has been involved in numerous transactions executed by prime issuers including Caja Madrid, Bancaja, Cajamar, Criteria and BBVA. It advised Campofrío Issuance on a €500m fixed notes issuance. Javier Ybañez heads the practice, and senior associate Gonzalo Garcia-Fuertes is recommended for his ‘reliability, ideas, and very deep industry expertise’.

Within Corporate and M&A, Garrigues is a first tier firm,

Garrigues has been acting on the proposed merger between Iberia and British Airways; advised Liberty shareholders on acquiring a 57% stake in Prisa for €900m; and advised on Ebro Puleva’s €630m sale of its dairy business to Lactalis Group. It is also advising on the merger of Dutch company Atento Emea with its Spanish subsidiary Atento Teleservicios, a transaction that was among the first cross-border mergers to test new Spanish merger laws. Javier Ybáñez heads the group, which includes the ‘extraordinary’ Ramon Girbau.

Within Dispute resolution , Garrigues is a first tier firm,

Garrigues’ ‘hugely respected’ dispute resolution practice is headed by Carlos de los Santos. Recent mandates include acting for OHL in ICC arbitration with a subcontractor on a major project, and advising a large Peruvian insurer on international arbitration. On the civil litigation side, the group acted on a request for the fulfilment or termination of a contract governing the audio-visual rights of the Spanish football league.

Within EU and competition, Garrigues is a second tier firm,

Headed by Marcos Araujo, the team at Garrigues ‘provides an excellent level of service and possesses an in-depth knowledge of the industry’. Its clients include ASOBAL (Spanish National Handball Association), Plastic Omnium and La Caixa. In 2010, it lodged an appeal for MAPFRE against a fine for restrictive practices in the building insurance sector. The group also advised W&H on CNC cartel proceedings relating to alleged anticompetitive practices in the wine industry.

Within Employment, Garrigues is a first tier firm,

‘One of the best law firms for employment matters,’ Garrigues’ practice is spread across its Spanish offices, with Juan José Yago heading the Madrid team, and Rafael Ortiz and Juan Vaz leading in Barcelona and Valencia, respectively. Recent highlights include advising Ercros on restructuring at seven production plants nationwide, and advising Iberia on creating a new company. Other clients include Teletech, General Electric Bank, General Electric Wind and Caja Sol.

Within Environment, Garrigues is a first tier firm,

Garrigues’ 18 lawyers have ‘an unmatched knowledge of the market’. Renowned practitioner Santiago Garrido de las Heras heads the practice, and his expertise includes renewable energy as well as administrative and legal environmental advice. The team advises public authorities, private companies and associations on EU climate change provisions, has particular experience in drawing up Emission Reduction Purchase Agreements and supervises and advises on Kyoto Protocol project-based mechanisms.

Within Insurance, Garrigues is a first tier firm,

Garrigues represents major European insurers such as Allianz España, Zurich, AEGON and Groupama. It advised Shopnet Brokers on drafting and negotiating a co-operation agreement rendering auxiliary services to the bancassurance operator of Banco Santander. The practice also advises on insurance contract issues, such as a recent instruction from Euler Hermes to prepare its Spanish contractual documentation. Fernando Vives heads the department.

Within Intellectual property, Garrigues is a second tier firm,

Garrigues’ ‘large and respected’ practice recently represented Grupo Pascual against one of its main competitors on a trade mark infringement. It is also advising Mono Films and BBVA on producing a reality football show. Josa Miranda de Sousa is recommended for trade marks, while Carolina Pina and Dulce Miranda handle copyright and patents, respectively.

Within Legal market overview,

Spain is dominated by the historical ‘Big Three’ domestic firms – Cuatrecasas, Gonçalves Pereira, Garrigues and Uría Menéndez. The UK firms of Clifford Chance, Linklaters SL and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer follow closely, particularly when competing for top-end transactions, and newcomer Herbert Smith LLP has made a good first impression in the market.

Within Projects and energy, Garrigues is a first tier firm,

Garrigues has a strong presence on projects across Spain and Latin America. The team recently advised the banks on the €250m project for the construction, maintenance and operation of the international airport in Murcia. The group also advised on the construction, maintenance and operation of a €370m thermosolar project in Torre de Miguel Sesmero. Rafael González-Gallarza, José Guardo and Lluis Esquerra are recommended.

Within Real estate, Garrigues is a first tier firm,

Garrigues has ‘a high level of expertise’ and excellent knowledge of the local markets due to fielding more than 80 lawyers across 29 offices. Recent work includes advising Urconsa on selling La Alcaidesa Development; Zurich on the sale and leaseback of its headquarters in Barcelona; and AXA France on purchasing an office building. Practice head Felipe Yannone, Lorenzo Clemente and Héctor Muñoz are recommended.

Within Restructuring and insolvency, Garrigues is a second tier firm,

Garrigues acted for Urbalia to freeze foreclosure proceedings against three of its companies and advised a major player in the Spanish tourism industry following a compulsory insolvency order. The group also represented three Bestin Group companies to negotiate a €70m debt restructuring with primary creditors. Antonio Fernandez heads the practice.

Within TMT, Garrigues is a third tier firm,

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.

Within Tax, Garrigues is a first tier firm,

Garrigues has ‘strength-in-depth in its massive tax team’, which is led by Ernesto Jiménez. It recently advised Iberia on aspects of its planned merger with British Airways and represented Ebro Puleva on the €526m sale of its sugar business branch to British Sugar. Ongoing clients include Zurich, Galp Energia, Orangina Group and BBVA.

Within Transport, Garrigues is a second tier firm,

Garrigues advises shipowners, freight forwarders, tug and salvage companies, insurers and P&I clubs, as well as Spanish importers and manufacturers. Manuel Torres heads the practice, which also includes Ignacio Cantillana and Manuel Betancor.