The Legal 500 > Europe, Middle East & Africa > Spain > Banking and finance

Primarily acting for domestic and international commercial lenders, Clifford Chance also has experience representing borrowers, project sponsors and international financial organisations. The firm is particularly known for its expertise in the Latam market, as well as its specialities in banking regulation, market infrastructure, derivatives, asset management and private banking. José Guardo has expertise in structured finance, energy and infrastructure projects. He leads a team that includes senior associates Eugenio Fernández-Rico, who specialises in general lending, project finance, asset finance, acquisition finance and refinancing; Felipe Font, who focuses on restructuring, corporate, acquisition and project finance; and María Sabau, whose expertise includes general lending and restructuring. Carlos Hernández-Canut and Stuart Percival retired from the firm in 2019.

Specialising in the financing and refinancing of large corporate groups, Garrigues particularly acts on overseas operations and composite security packages. The firm’s experience includes distress, rescue and non-performing loan (NPL) financing; acquisition finance; direct lending by private debt funds; and property, real estate and asset finance. In addition, the practice is known for its expertise in financial regulation. Rafael González-Gallarza advises financial institutions, private equity firms, industry groups and public authorities. He co-leads the team with Luis de la Peña, who is known for cross-border work. Also notable are principal associate Xabier Urtiaga Valle, who advises on corporate acquisitions and restructurings, and associate Jon Goirigolzarri, who focuses on financing transactions, particularly project finance.

Advising borrowers and lenders, Uría Menéndez’s experience covers the spectrum of banking and finance matters, from corporate lending, project finance and acquisition finance, to restructuring and financial regulatory issues. Practice head Ángel Pérez López focuses on corporate, acquisition and project finance. He can call on the expertise of Sebastián Sáenz de Santa María, who is known for banking, project finance, acquisition finance and restructuring, and Carlos de Cárdenas Smith, who leads the firm’s corporate and commercial practice and specialises in banking, finance, M&A and restructuring work. Also notable in the team are counsel Isabel Aguilar, who has expertise in payment industry regulation, and counsel Carolina Albuerne, who is active in the fields of banking regulation and securities law.

The ‘extraordinary’ DLA Piper is known for lending, particularly in transactions involving banks lending to corporates. Acting for major Spanish banks, the ‘detail-oriented, reliable and technically knowledgeable’ firm provides cross-border and regulatory expertise, in addition to a UK-qualified desk. Practice head Jesús Zapata is known for financial and banking matters, as well as corporate and acquisition financing transactions. Also notable is César Herrero, who focuses on domestic and cross-border bank finance deals in areas including leveraged finance, project finance, and corporate and structured finance.

The ‘perfectly skilled’ Gómez-Acebo & Pombo specialises in advising hedge funds, as well as acting in restructuring and litigation matters. Practice head Miguel Lamo de Espinosa’s experience includes restructuring and distressed situations, acquisition finance and corporate finance matters. Notable in his team are Rafael Aguilera, who has expertise in a range of financing issues, as well as general consultancy services to financial institutions, and Fernando Herrero, who focuses on asset financing operations, banking work and debt capital markets.

Specialising in cross-border work, Baker McKenzie’s experience includes acquisition finance, project finance, financial services regulation and real estate finance. Rossanna D’Onza is known for her expertise in a range of financing issues, as well as cross-border lending. She leads the ‘flexible and available’ team.

Particularly known for acquisition finance and debt refinancing, CMS Albiñana y Suárez de Lezo also has experience in real estate and project finance. The ‘very skilled’ practice has the ‘highest level of expertise in international cases’. Abraham Nájera leads the team and specialises in structured financing, restructuring and debt portfolio transactions, acting for financial institutions and debtors.

Specialising in aviation finance transactions, Dentons’ work ranges from asset and export financing to restructuring and regulatory advice. The firm is also experienced in the area of fintech. Jesús Mardomingo acts for financial institutions on corporate issues and public authorities on commercial and regulatory issues. He co-leads the practice with Jabier Badiola, who has expertise in the origination and restructuring of national and international syndicated lending transactions, and Jesús Varela, who focuses on real estate financing and debt portfolio trades. Also notable is senior associate Luis Máiz, who specialises in cross-border syndicated financing transactions.

Latham & Watkins LLP is experienced in advising financial institutions and corporations in a range of business lending transactions, including asset-based and acquisition financings. The firm is known for its expertise in complex financings and multi-jurisdictional matters. Fernando Colomina leads the practice, which advised The Carlyle Group on financing issues related to its acquisition of a minority shareholding in Compañía Española de Petróleos, based on an enterprise value of $12bn.

Pérez-Llorca has experience in the spectrum of banking and finance matters, from acquisition and leveraged finance to private banking and restructurings. The firm also has notable expertise in corporate, real estate, asset and project finance. Ander Valverde leads the practice and has expertise in a range of finance issues. Marcel Enrich was a new arrival in 2020.

Ramón y Cajal Abogados specialises in financial transactions, including syndicated bank finance, project finance and derivatives finance. Particularly experienced in acting for Spanish banks, the firm also provides expertise in the financial markets regulation. The practice is co-led by Javier Menchén, who advises on syndicated lending and restructuring of bank debt; Amado Giménez Bono, who is known for structured corporate finance operations and acquisitions; regulatory expert Cristina Vidal; and Alfonso Fernández-Miranda, who acts in a range of banking, finance and regulatory matters.

Araoz & Rueda advises on a range of finance matters, debt restructuring, leasing, and the acquisition and sale of distressed debt. The firm is also active in litigation against credit institutions, investment services companies and collective investment schemes. Rafael Bazán leads the practice and has particular expertise in transactions involving the acquisition and sale of NPLs and asset portfolios, representing sellers and buyers in major NPL transactions.

Hogan Lovells International LLP is known for cross-border expertise, advising Spanish and international banks on matters including corporate finance, asset finance, project finance, real estate finance and restructurings. Notable for the firm in this area are Alfredo Barona and José Luis Vázquez.

ONTIER is experienced in finance, syndicated loans and M&A transactions, as well as due diligence. The firm is particularly focused on the local market but also advises on cross-border matters. Ramón Ruiz de la Torre Esporrín specialises in capital markets, finance and corporate law matters. He co-leads the team with Óscar Murillo Sanz, whose expertise covers corporate and commercial law, M&A, financing and the renewable energy sector.

Cross-border specialist White & Case LLP has experience in lender, borrower and sponsor-side transactions. Practice head Fernando Navarro joined from Ashurst LLP in 2019 and focuses on financing transactions through both syndicated and bilateral loans, as well as derivatives, structured products, securitisation and debt capital markets. Notable in his team is Yoko Takagi, who represented Morgan Stanley & Co International, Barclays Bank, Goldman Sachs International, Société Générale and BNP Paribas in a liability management exercise with respect to a bond issuance by MásMóvil.

Jones Day’s experienced banking and finance team covers the spectrum of work in the area. Notable team members are project and acquisition finance expert Javier López Antón and Fernando Lillo, who is known for advising on lending and structured finance, as well as public-private partnerships, private finance initiatives and project finance.

Specialising in transactional and regulatory work, Roca Junyent is particularly experienced in acting for German banks in the Spanish market. The firm also has notable expertise in blockchain and fintech. The 'simply superb' Pablo Rodríguez leads the practice in Madrid and is known for advising credit entities, funds and companies in connection with financing transactions. In Barcelona, Xavier Foz Giralt leads the team and focuses on banking and regulatory issues, as well as dealing with private equity and venture capital.

Simmons & Simmons has experience advising Spanish and international financial institutions, funds and banks, with a particular focus on refinancing, debt restructuring, acquisition finance, real estate finance and distressed debt trading. On the regulatory side, the firm specialises in acting for international financial institutions interested in providing regulated services in Spain, notably the hedge fund industry. The practice is co-led by Alfredo de Lorenzo, who specialises in capital markets, corporate and banking; Álvaro Muñoz, who has experience in banking, financial regulatory, corporate finance and real estate finance transactions; and financial regulatory expert María Tomillo.

Bird & Bird has a particular focus on sophisticated regulatory compliance, structured finance and distressed portfolio sales, as well as sport and aviation finance. The firm is also experienced in the evolving area of fintech and its regulatory implications. José Luis Lorente Howell leads the practice and advises on financing matters and regulation for national and international banks.

The ‘well-coordinated team’ at Deloitte Legal provides ‘significant expertise’ that covers a range of financing and banking issues, from banking and asset transactional matters to digital banking and fintech mandates. The ‘brilliant and professional’ Francisco Ramírez Arbués leads the team and specialises in digital and retail banking, as well as in the implementation in projects of new regulations.

KPMG Abogados’ expertise ranges from compliance and corporate governance to investor protection and transparency. The firm also has notable experience in blockchain and fintech. Francisco Uría Fernández specialises in financial regulation, particularly in banking, capital markets and insurance. He co-leads the practice with Alfonso González-Espejo, who focuses on financial regulation, specifically related to the banking and securities market, capital markets, collective investment schemes, and commercial and real estate law.

Acting for local and international clients, Ventura Garcés & López-Ibor is experienced in borrower, banking and finance litigation work. The firm also acts in matters related to M&A and aviation. Alfonso López Ibor specialises in corporate law, finance and banking, particularly related to the air transport sector. He co-leads the practice with Tomás Garcés, who is based in Barcelona. Since publication, the firm has split with the Madrid and Valencia offices now operating as López-Ibor Abogados and the Barcelona office as Ventura Garcés.

Andersen acts in corporate finance operations, acquisitions, project finance and structured finance. The firm is also experienced in cross-border transactions, representing international companies and bank entities in Spain. Guillermo Yuste has expertise in a range of financing matters, as well as debt restructuring and insolvency. He co-leads the practice with Carlos Salinas, who specialises in structured finance.

Experienced in funds and acting primarily on the lender side, Cases&Lacambra is a 'true boutique of banking and finance law' and is known for advice on real estate financing. The firm is particularly adept in multi-jurisdictional issues, advising foreign investors in a range of financing transactions. Managing partner Miguel Cases specialises in representing credit institutions and investment services firms, as well as in regulation related to the field. He co-leads the team with Toni Barios, who focuses on financing and debt restructuring.

Eversheds Sutherland Nicea specialises in acting for international clients in asset-based lending and real estate finance. The firm also provides notable regulatory expertise, advising banks and other financial institutions on matters including MiFID II, distribution of banking products, bancassurance and derivatives. Juan E. Díaz is known for M&A and financial law expertise, acting for banks, public entities and private companies. He co-leads the practice with Teresa Villarroya, who has particular experience in project and asset financing.