The 'well-balanced team of very skilled professionals' at Allen & Overy specialises in international disputes and arbitration. In addition to these two key areas, the firm is known for commercial litigation, financial litigation and special situations, including insolvencies and enforcement of securities. Javier Castresana focuses on financial litigation, notably restructuring and insolvency litigation. He co-leads the practice with Javier Mendieta, who advises on civil, contractual and corporate disputes, as well as real estate and construction issues and liability claims related to investments in the financial sector, and Antonio Vázquez-Guillén, who has expertise in the commercial, banking and finance fields, specifically matters relating to breaches of contract, enforcement of guarantees, insolvencies and claims for damages. Also notable are senior associate José Luis Terron, who advises financial institutions in mis-selling cases, and counsel Emma Morales, who joined from Linklaters in 2019 and brings expertise in commercial and civil litigation.

Garrigues has particular expertise in the field of civil, contractual and commercial litigation and arbitration. The firm specialises in multi-jurisdictional disputes arising from the construction, energy, banking, insurance and finance sectors. In addition, the practice is known for acting in distribution and joint venture disputes. Carlos de los Santos has experience acting in court and arbitration proceedings related to contractual and corporate matters. He co-leads the team with arbitration and alternative dispute resolution expert Joe Tirado, who is based in London. Also notable are Alberto Pimenta, who focuses on banking, insurance and corporate disputes, and Eduardo Santamaría Moral, who is known for acting in the industrial sectors. In a recent highlight, the group represented NH Hotel Group in a challenge by its main shareholder, HNA Group, to the resolutions adopted at the general shareholders' meeting that declared the existence of a conflict of interest between the two.

Pérez-Llorca is particularly strong in cross-border litigation and arbitration matters, specialising in advising clients before the European Court of Justice. The firm’s expertise covers construction and energy disputes, banking and insurance litigation, unfair competition and asset-recovery issues. Félix J. Montero leads the practice and advises on civil and commercial litigation and domestic and international arbitration. His team includes Juan Manuel Rodríguez Cárcamo, who specialises in the regulated sectors, notably energy, telecoms, media, banking and pharmaceuticals, and García Marrero, who was promoted to partner in 2020. The department was further strengthened in 2018 by the arrival of litigation, arbitration and insolvency expert Javier Izquierdo, who joined from Gómez-Acebo & Pombo.

Uría Menéndez is known for its expertise in civil and commercial proceedings, international and domestic arbitration, administrative law, constitutional law and criminal law. The firm is increasingly active in the Latin American market and brings broad sector expertise to its disputes practice, including corporate law, financial transactions, infrastructure projects, IT and commercial contracts. Jesús Remón Peñalver leads the team and is experienced in a range of judicial and arbitration proceedings. Also notable are Álvaro López de Argumedo, who specialises in civil litigation and international arbitration; Alex Ferreres Comellas, who focuses on contractual liability and torts; and international arbitration expert Miguel Virgós. The department is representing Banco Santander in a damages claim brought against it by former shareholders of Abengoa.

Active in domestic and international arbitration, Baker McKenzie also provides expertise in civil, commercial, financial and insolvency litigation. The firm has pareticular experience acting in the automotive, infrastructure and technology sectors. José Ramón Casado specialises in commercial and civil litigation, as well as national and international arbitration proceedings. He co-leads the practice with Victor Mercedes, who focuses on civil, commercial and economic crime litigation. Recent highlights include representing Barcelona Football Club in various civil proceedings filed by more than 500 members of the club who were fined for ticket forgery.

Gómez-Acebo & Pombo is known for commercial litigation, investment litigation, competition infringements and arbitration. The firm particularly specialises in disputes arising from the energy sector. Gonzalo Ardila leads the practice and has significant experience before the domestic courts and arbitration tribunals. His team includes counsel Irene Arévalo, who arrived in 2018 from White & Case LLP and combines expertise in restructuring, insolvency and commercial litigation. In a recent highlight, the department represented WiZink Bank in a dispute regarding revolving credits and the regulation of unfair terms in commercial legislation. Borja de Obeso left to join DLA Piper in 2018.

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP provides an international capacity and cross-border expertise, with a particular focus on Latin America, the US, the Middle East, Australia and Africa. Eduardo Soler-Tappa leads the practice and specialises in energy litigation and arbitration, as well as public law and regulation. His team includes counsel Manuel Rivero, who is former Deputy Director General of the litigation department at the Spanish General State Attorney's Office. The department was further strengthened by the arrivals from Arias SLP in 2019 of the ‘outstanding’ David Arias, who is known for his  arbitration expertise, and counsel Luis Capiel, who focuses on commercial and construction disputes.

Cross-border specialist Linklaters is 'absolutely top-notch' and has experience in a range of disputes issues, including pre-litigation advice, civil and criminal litigation, and arbitration. As well as being active in international and domestic arbitration, the firm has notable expertise in the areas of banking, real estate, civil liability, industrial conflicts and insolvency. The 'outstanding' Francisco Málaga advises corporates and financial institutions on litigation matters. He co-leads the practice with Borja Fernandez de Troconiz, who focuses on bank litigation, commercial disputes and insolvencies.

Known for its 'technical knowledge and availability’, Ashurst LLP has particular experience advising financial institutions and insurance companies in disputes arising from distressed assets transactions, investments in special situations, insolvency and real estate matters. José Antonio Rodríguez leads the practice and specialises in civil, commercial and administrative litigation, as well as arbitration and insolvency. Also notable in the team are María José Menéndez, who focuses on arbitration related to M&A, joint venture and insurance matters, and Pablo García Manzano, who joined from the Spanish Ministry of Energy, Tourism and Digital Agenda in 2018 and has expertise in the public law and administrative aspects of the regulated sectors.

CMS Albiñana y Suárez de Lezo specialises in advising financial institutions on litigation and arbitration proceedings, particularly in relation to breaches of SPAs and director liability, as well as acting in corporate disputes and matters arising from distribution and agency contracts. Notable in the area are Luis Javier Vidal, who has experience in the areas of civil litigation, corporate, banking law and insolvency, as well as domestic and international arbitration, and Juan Ignacio Fernández Aguado, who specialises in civil and commercial litigation, insolvency, financial crime and contentious administrative issues.

The 'excellent' DLA Piper team has experience in national and international arbitration, as well as notable expertise in financial sector disputes and insolvency litigation. Practice head Borja de Obeso joined from Gómez-Acebo & Pombo in 2018 and specialises in litigation, arbitration and insolvency, particularly in relation to the construction, energy and infrastructure sectors. Álvaro Lobato retired in 2019 and Óscar Franco left to join Latham & Watkins LLP, also in 2019.

Hogan Lovells International LLP is experienced in corporate disputes arising from shareholders' agreements, SPAs and M&A, as well as civil liability actions against corporate directors. The firm has particular specialisms in the areas of financial services litigation, private enforcement actions derived from antitrust violations, and arbitration before national and international institutions. Luis Alfonso Fernández is known for acting in a range of matters, from insurance and reinsurance disputes to matters related to finance and cyber risks. He co-leads the practice with José Luis Huerta, who focuses on commercial litigation, arbitration and corporate disputes. Also notable in the team is counsel Jon Aurrecoechea, who ‘has strong technical skills and whose strategical steer of the litigation process is top of the market'. 

Known for its global reach and expertise, Jones Day’s disputes practice works closely with the firm’s antitrust, government regulation, M&A, energy, environment, banking and finance teams. The department has a strong international commercial arbitration practice, as well as particular experience in the construction, infrastructure, real estate and energy sectors. Mercedes Fernández, a specialist in civil law procedure, leads the group and focuses on disputes relating to construction and energy projects, as well as large-scale distribution, investment arbitration and M&A transactions.

Specialising in civil and commercial disputes, Ramón y Cajal Abogados has particular experience advising on disputes in the telecoms, banking, infrastructure, energy and real estate sectors. Ramón Fernández-Aceytuno is active in litigation, arbitration and insolvency matters. He co-leads the practice with Barcelona-based Luis Briones, who has expertise in civil and commercial law disputes. In a recent highlight, the team acted for Redexis Gas before the Civil Court of Palma de Mallorca, in a matter arising from the carrying out of supply network construction work.

Andersen has 'an excellent team’ known for being ‘extremely responsive and efficient in complex cases with very high stakes'. The firm covers a broad range of disputes, including matters related to commercial law, real estate, finance, commercial contracts and extra-contractual civil liability, as well as providing an experienced international arbitration practice. The practice also has a criminal law offering that advises companies and individuals. The team is co-led by Íñigo Rodríguez-Sastre, who specialises in civil and corporate law as well as domestic and international litigation and arbitration; Benjamin Prieto, who is an expert in civil and criminal procedural law; Barcelona office litigation head José María Rebollo; and director Carlos Soto, who is responsible for the litigation department in Seville.

Traditionally known as an M&A boutique, Araoz & Rueda has particular experience in the energy sector, as well as in post-acquisition disputes and shareholder or joint venture conflicts. In addition, the firm acts in a range of corporate and commercial litigation, as well as international arbitration. Eduardo de León advises in disputes before the Spanish courts and in domestic arbitrations, specialising in matters involving administrative law.

Specialist arbitration practice B. Cremades & Asociados is known for its expertise in international commercial and investment arbitration. In addition to acting as arbitrators and counsel, the firm advises third-party funders in relation to potential investments in international arbitrations, as well as representing clients in judicial and administrative tax and tax fraud proceedings. Founding partner Bernardo M. Cremades leads the team and focuses on commercial law, construction and infrastructure, energy, finance and investment arbitration.

Known for its cross-border and multi-disciplinary expertise, Bird & Bird is also active in domestic and international arbitrations. In addition, the practice is increasingly experienced in Latam-related disputes. The team provides broad sector specialisms and is co-led by Antonio Cueto, Coral Yáñez, Hermenegildo Altozano, Manuel Lobato and counsel Pablo Berenguer. Raquel Ballesteros, Raúl Bercovitz and Alexander Benalal left the firm in 2020.

Dentons focuses on advising multinational corporations, notably international companies, banks and investment funds. The firm has a niche specialisation in litigation arising from distressed investment situations and related to the workout of large debt portfolios. The department also provides broad sector expertise, working particularly closely with the tax and real estate teams. José María Buxeda has expertise in dispute resolution, corporate and commercial law, and M&A. He co-leads the practice with Juan Ignacio Alonso, who is known for disputes related to the automotive, retail, real estate financing, TMT and e-commerce sectors, and Julio Parrilla, whose experience covers litigation, arbitration and insolvency proceedings.

Specialising in TMT, ECIJA acts for national and international clients in a range of sectors, including retail, media, tourism, public sector, professional services and the arts. Notable in the team is litigation expert Javier López, who has experience representing clients in breach of contract, employment, unfair competition and real estate-related disputes, as well as business tort and white-collar crime cases. The practice was strengthened by the arrivals of Arturo del Burgo, who joined from Cremades & Calvo-Sotelo Abogados in 2018; José María Abella, who joined from Jiménez de Parga in 2019; and Alfredo Solana, who arrived from Colon de Carvajal Abogados, also in 2019.

The 'great, dedicated and available' ONTIER focuses on commercial disputes, including matters related to transactions, contracts, services and financial agreements. Pedro Rodero Rodríguez is an expert in litigation, national and international arbitration, and commercial law. He co-leads the practice with Cristina Camarero Espinosa, who works on a range of litigation and arbitration matters and is known as ‘very capable, client oriented and efficient’.

Active in litigation and arbitration matters, Roca Junyent has experience in financial disputes, breaches of SPAs and directors' liability, as well as litigation arising from distribution and agency contracts. The firm is particularly strong in finance-related claims, representing national and international investors. Gonzalo Serrano Fenollosa is known for his civil and corporate law expertise, with a focus on disputes concerning unfair competition and economic matters. He co-leads the practice with international arbitration specialist Marlen Estévez, who acts in disputes across a range of sectors.

Simmons & Simmons has expertise in acting for domestic and international banks, notably in litigation matters related to European law. Andrés Mochales is active in the financial institutions sector, with a particular focus on financial litigation. He co-leads the practice with the ‘rigorous and prudent’ Fernando Aizpún, who has experience in civil and criminal procedures and specialises in arbitration law related to business issues.