Employment in Spain

Garrigues's client base is made up of national and international companies, including many listed on the Ibex 35. Key areas of expertise include restructuring and incentivised termination programmes, collective bargaining, the labour aspects of corporate transactions, and employment litigation, as well as advising companies on equality plans and diversity policies. The 'very knowledgeable' Rosa Zarza 'efficiently' leads the sizeable team, which is based across the firm's 18 offices in Spain. Other noted names are Rafael Ortiz, whose recent highlights include advising on Nissan's restructuring process, and counsel Eva Diez-Ordás, who has experience advising on changes of corporate ownership.

Employment specialist Sagardoy Abogados, member of Ius Laboris handles the full gamut of matters from its six offices throughout Spain. The team has particular expertise in advising foreign companies with operations in Spain, as well as in handling employment litigation and restructuring and collective bargaining procedures. Iñigo Sagardoy, who focuses mainly on international matters, José Manuel Martín and Martín Godino, who is described as 'without a doubt one of the best labour lawyers in Spain', head the team. Román Gil and associate Ana Goerlich are also names to note, while David Isaac Tobia and Jorge Caballero joined from Deloitte Legal and J&A Garrigues SLP, respectively.

Uría Menéndez's employment practice provides national coverage, with offices in Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao and Valencia. The team focuses on high-level matters such as collective dismissals and collective bargaining procedures, and complex mass litigation. Mario Barros, who is noted for his 'resilience, empathy, work capacity and assertiveness', advises on employment contracts, remuneration systems and the employment aspects of M&A and corporate restructurings, while 'impeccable' associate Álvaro Navarro has experience in a range of matters, including redundancy procedures, employment disputes and immigration issues. Ignacio García Perrote left the firm.

Noted for its 'great insights into the Spanish market' and 'very good knowledge of Spanish employment law', DLA Piper's team is frequently instructed by clients from the hospitality sector, as well as technology, financial services, life sciences, retail, energy and real estate companies. The team specialises in collective dismissals, restructurings and litigation, often with a cross-border element, and advises multinationals on expanding their operations. Practice head Pilar Menor has considerable experience in negotiating collective bargaining agreements and senior management employment contracts and their termination.

The hire of new practice head Silvia Bauzá from Hogan Lovells International LLP in September 2018, along with two other lawyers, significantly strengthened Allen & Overy's employment offering. The fast-growing team specialises in advising multinationals and handling employment litigation, collective dismissals and negotiations, as well as significant cross-border work for international companies such as Volvo. Senior associate Javier Alonso de Armiño moved to Sagardoy Abogados, member of Ius Laboris in September 2019.

Praised as the 'place to go for specific labour issues', the employment team at Clifford Chance benefits from the firm's international reach and reputation. The team acts on a range of matters, including collective negotiations and renumeration schemes, as well as employment disputes. It also assists the firm's other departments with employment issues, for instance in mergers and restructurings. Practice head and counsel Juan Calvente 'has an impressive knowledge of the market'.

The employment team at Deloitte Legal handles a wide range of matters, including collective bargaining processes, senior management hiring and dismissals, labour audits and due diligence projects, pensions matters and employment litigation, as well as providing acquisition and restructuring-related advice. Fernando Bazán, who has expertise in restructuring and collective bargaining, leads the team, which acts for leading domestic and multinational clients from the banking, pharmaceutical, tourism and hospitality sectors.

Gómez-Acebo & Pombo's employment team is recommended for its 'high level of technical knowledge, expertise, approachability and professionalism'. In addition to advising on both individual and collective employment matters, the team has regulatory expertise and is known for its due diligence work in relation to M&A transactions, as well as for assisting with hiring procedures and employment contract issues. Collective negotiation specialist Ignacio Campos leads the practice.

Pérez-Llorca has notable expertise in remuneration plans and collective agreements. Under the leadership of Luis Enrique Fernández Pallarés, the team also advises on employment issues relating to the gig economy and on the removal of senior executives and board members of blue-chip companies. The practice also supports the firm's M&A and capital markets teams in transactions. Laura Pérez, who has experience in labour litigation, was promoted to partner in July 2019.

The employment team at Andersen is described as 'highly skilled' and 'super focused on the customer'. Advising Spanish and multinational companies in cross-border scenarios, the team handles employment litigation and advises on restrictive covenants, executive appointments and terminations, and collective matters relating trade unions and works councils. Alfredo Aspra leads the practice. Pablo Santos joined the firm as a partner in November 2018 from Deloitte Legal.

The employment practice at Araoz & Rueda covers a wide range of work, including the hiring and dismissal of workers, the implementation of workforce restructuring plans, negotiating collective bargaining agreements and strikes, and contentious labour matters. The team has experience advising on the employment aspects of corporate transactions; recent highlights include advising Avanza on the acquisition of Basque coach company Transportes Pesa. The 'highly experienced' Alfonso Suárez leads the practice.

The employment team at CMS Albiñana y Suárez de Lezo is made up of 'practical' professionals with multi-jurisdictional expertise across a range of areas, including litigation, collective bargaining and M&A. The practice is jointly led by the 'outstanding' César Navarro and the 'reliable' Elena Esparza. Work highlights include advising on claims filed by a group of employees against two different Iberdrola subsidiaries as a result of a share deal.

The team at Eversheds Sutherland Nicea is led by Jacobo Martínez Pérez de Espinosa, who is described as having a 'deep knowledge of labour law', with expertise in complex remuneration schemes, the employment aspects of corporate transactions, restructurings, collective negotiations and employment litigation. Recent highlights include advising on the implementation of a working time registry among the different firms and corporations of Johnson Controls.

The employment team at EY Abogados has expertise in international social security and labour law, with a client base that includes a number of multinationals. The practice, which is 'technically very good' and 'always up to date with the latest knowledge possible', also has strength in advising on restructurings, and draws on the firm's experience in tax and M&A matters. Practice head Raúl García has experience in employment litigation and collective negotiations.

KPMG Abogados' practice is jointly led by Francisco Javier Hervas Martinez, Francisco Fernández Díez and Miguel Cuenca Valdivia. The team specialises in collective negotiation agreements, particularly between employers and unions. The practice acts for clients from a wide range of sectors, including energy, manufacturing, hospitality, technology, advertising, food and drink, and automotive. Recent highlights include advising Coca-Cola European Partners Iberia on several collective negotiation proceedings with unions.

Barcelona-based Àlex Santacana Folgueroles leads the employment team at Roca Junyent, which is known for advising on collective bargaining agreements, the employment aspects of M&A transactions, labour inspections, industrial action mediations and litigation. 'Top practitioner' Rosa Rodríguez, who leads the Madrid practice, was promoted to partner. Highlights included advising Maxion Wheels on negotiating a collective bargaining agreement. Luis Enrique de la Villa retired from the firm.