Fielding cross-departmental expertise and a stellar client list, Baker McKenzie is a leading firm in the retail space. The practice is jointly led by Cristina Duch, who specialises in IP rights, unfair competition and advertising, and María Dolores Garayalde, who advises on trademark matters, license agreements, and tech transfers, and is skilled in managing the IP aspects of corporate transactions.
Industry focus: Retail in Spain
Bird & Bird
Singled out for its key focus on new technologies, the multidisciplinary team at Bird & Bird offers market-leading advice to companies from the retail sector. The team is skilled at handling a wide range of matters, including IP, M&A, real estate and distribution agreements. Lourdes Ayala, head of the corporate, M&A and venture capital department, has a strong following of companies from the fashion and luxury goods sectors. Antonio Cueto provides expert IP advice and is a key contact for global fashion brands. Diana Sendagorta draws on her extensive experience in M&A, private equity and venture capital matters to advise clients on national and international transactions.
Practice head(s):
Lourdes Ayala; Antonio Cueto
Other key lawyers:
Diana Sendagorta
Key clients
Rentals United Spain, S.L. (Guesty Group)
Renault
Aora Group
Taxdown, S.L.
Stellantis N.V.
VF Apparel España S.L.U
Dakia Umusic Hospitality, Llc
TENDAM Retail
KFC RESTAURANTS SPAIN, S.L.
Work highlights
- Advised Guesty Group, an Israeli real estate management software group, on the Spanish part of a global transaction whereby Guesty Group has acquired the Swedish company Rentals United.
- Advised Stellantis on the acquisition of 100% of the share capital of the Spanish company Cat Vehicles Management Spain.
- Advised the Aora Group on the restructuring of its corporate structure.
DLA Piper
DLA Piper provides a wide range of cross-disciplinary services to both international and domestic clients in the retail sector, covering corporate, tax, and IP law. Diego Ramos is a key contact for retailers and investors seeking assistance with commercial, technology and IP matters. Former head of real estate Orson Alcocer is no longer at the firm.
Other key lawyers:
Diego Ramos
Key clients
Amundi
Little Caesar Enterprises Inc.
Puig
Lego S.A.
THG plc
Taurus Capital
Navega capital – Kapalua Trading
Nutreco Iberia
Sonoma
Stuart Delivery
Bacardi
Zalando
Lululemon Athletica Inc
About You Se& Co
Generali Real Estate
Hines
Rituals
Adriana Abascal
Linden Capital Partners
Conair Corporation
Work highlights
- Advising Grupo Trinity on the acquisition of Beauty by Dia, a subsidiary of the listed Grupo DIA that manages the well-known Clarel business.
- Advised Linden Capital Partners on its acquisition resulting from a complex corporate reorganisation transaction through the portfolio companies of the LifeStyles Group.
Gómez-Acebo & Pombo
Gómez-Acebo & Pombo fields a cross-departmental team that is skilled at handling the full range of retail-related matters, including real estate, IP, distribution, consumer and regulatory law, among other areas. Sofía Martínez-Almeida has a wealth of experience in retail and fashion law, and often advises on IP and technology matters. Daniel Marín and Iñigo Igartua are go-to contacts for commercial and M&A mandates. Isabella Crespo possesses expertise in IP and data protection issues.
Practice head(s):
Sofía Martínez-Almeida; Iñigo Igartua
Other key lawyers:
Isabella Crespo; Daniel Marín; Bárbara Sainz de Vicuña
Key clients
Havaianas
Carrefour
Pandora
Hermes
Unibail Rodamco Westfield (URW)
Cuatrecasas
Retained by a host of domestic and international retailers, Cuatrecasas is adept at handling a variety of sector-related matters, including corporate, tax, labour, litigation and IP issues. The team is led by Esther de Félix, an expert in distribution, franchising and competition matters.
Practice head(s):
Esther de Félix
Key clients
El Corte Inglés
Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España
Miservi Supermercats
Alibaba
Iberian Sports Retail
Pepco Logistics
Clarins
Supermercados Hiber
Puig
Druni
Work highlights
- Advised El Corte Inglés on registering a commercial paper programme with MARF.
- Advised Druni on integrating its business with Arenal.
- Advised on selling the shares of Ofelia Iberia – a holding company with a portfolio of 22 supermarkets, most of them leased to the Carrefour Group – and cancelling an intra-group loan.
Garrigues
The multidisciplinary team at Garrigues advises domestic and international retailers on M&A transactions, commercial agreements, competition law, IP, real estate and financial matters, among other mandayes. Mónica Martín de Vidales Godina and Álvaro Enrique López-Jorrín Hernández jointly oversee the department. Sergio González Galán and María José Pardo are both well versed in M&A, corporate and commercial matters, while Jorge Juan García-Pellicer López focuses on real estate transactions.
Practice head(s):
Mónica Martín de Vidales Godino; Álvaro Enrique López-Jorrín Hernández
Other key lawyers:
María José Pardo; Jorge Juan García-Pellicer López
Testimonials
‘Garrigues offers us a differential value due to the integration and coordination of the team. Compared to other advisers, it is very favourable and differential. I would not consider another team of advisers due to the added value that it offers us.’
Key clients
Deoleo
Mahou
López Real Inversiones 2021
Unialco (Uvesco Group)
Austral Venture Gestión
Kadans Science Partner 3
CA Património Crescente – Fundo de Investimento Imóbiliario Aberto, gestionado por Square Asset Management
Centros Comerciales Carrefour y Carrefour Property España
Resilience Partners Debtco 2
Work highlights
- Advised Carrefour on the sale of six hypermarkets to Realty Income.
- Advised Square Asset Management, which managers the Portuguese investment fund CA Património Crescente – Fundo de Investimento Imobiliário Aberto, on the acquisition of SC Nueva Condo, S.L. (Klépierre), a medium-sized shopping centre operated by Leroy Merlin España, S.L.U. in the “Parque de Medianas Nueva Condomina” in Murcia.
- Advised Kadans Science Partner (through the company Kadans Science Partner 3, SP, S.L.U.) on its acquisition of a new building in Malaga TechPark, known as “Edificio Babel”.
Hogan Lovells Spain
Hogan Lovells Spain handles M&A, IP, regulatory, privacy and employment law issues on behalf of a variety of retailers with operations in Spain. Practice head Alex Dolmans brings expertise in M&A, joint ventures and strategic alliances, while Jon Aurrekoetxea is experienced in complex commercial and corporate disputes. Other names to note in the team include Adrián Fernández, who is highly skilled in consumer protection, retail trade and regulatory issues, and Gonzalo Ardila, a specialist in commercial litigation.
Practice head(s):
Alex Dolmans
Other key lawyers:
Gonzalo Ardila; Jon Aurrekoetxea; Adrián Fernández
Testimonials
‘Hogan Lovells Spain is an exceptional firm for us because of its collaborative, business-oriented approach and deep experience in Commercial Law’
‘The Mercantile team of Hogan Lovells are excellent, in particular Alex Dolmans and Adrian Fernández. Dolmans’ extensive experience and leadership in international transactions make him a very strong choice for multinational clients with complex needs. Fernández’s dual qualification in law and business, combined with his specialisation in finance, make him a valuable asset for clients who are looking for legal advice focused on business growth.’
Key clients
Douglas Perfumery and Spanish affiliates
Alantra
Wizink Bank, S.A.
Groupon Spain S.L.
HelloFresh
Moderna
Stellantis
Hyundai
Coometas
AmerisourceBergen
Gourmet de la Roja
Aedas
Leading U.S. e-commerce group
FCE
Vidoomy
Asahi
Work highlights
- Assisted Hyundai with the multijurisdictional restructuring of its leasing service business.
- Advised HelloFresh on its expansion strategy and the launch of its online business in Spain.
- Represented Asahi in various legal matters, including claims against its suppliers and issues related to contractual terminations.
Uría Menéndez
The team at Uría Menéndez brings together specialisms in corporate, commercial, IP, privacy, competition, environmental and regulatory law to advise on the full array of retail, fashion and luxury goods-related matters. Patricia Vidal Martínez, a specialist in competition litigation, and Borja Sainz de Aja Tirapu, whose vast expertise covers IP, distribution and advertising matters, co-lead the practice.
Practice head(s):
Patricia Vidal Martínez; Borja Sainz de Aja Tirapu
Testimonials
‘Each and every member of the Uría team is a quality professional. They understand our business and the needs of our company like no one else, and they anticipate any situation as if they were an in-house lawyer. They are always “two steps ahead” in every sense and are impeccable in all their actions and recommendations.’
‘They are able to understand our business and our needs as if they were internal employees. They are able to offer us their best recommendations and advice in a way that is 100% adapted to our operation and the characteristics of our companies and businesses.’
‘Excellence, professionalism and creativity are, I think, the adjectives that best define this team.’
‘Very friendly and up-to-date. Very good knowledge of the sector.’
‘Excellent comprehensive service, professional, agile and in line with our needs. They also provide updates and are willing to adapt to our needs.’
‘The team provides comprehensive support and considers aspects that we sometimes do not take into account, providing a reduction in risks and allowing for a global analysis of projects and requests.’
‘Very extensive knowledge of the use of technology and data in the sector. They are very interested in understanding the client’s business model and mastering its processes, and are able to provide legal recommendations tailored to the client’s needs.’
Key clients
Zara España (Zara)
Lidl Supermercados
Food Delivery Brands Group (formerly Telepizza)
Prénatal Retail Group
Tasty Bidco (KKR)
Rolls-Royce
Primark
Toyota
Air Europa
Smile2Impress
Peris Costumes
Work highlights
- Advised Globalia, Air Europa’s controlling shareholder, on Air Europa’s potential acquisition of sole control over IAG.
- Assisted Nissan with the negotiation of a distribution contract between Nissan Automotive Europe and Silence.
- Represented DAF in numerous damages-claim proceedings regarding the European trucks cartel case brought in Spain.