Gómez-Acebo & Pombo is known for its 'fantastic teamwork' and a combination of ‘expertise and a creative deal-making attitude'. The multi-disciplinary practice provides ‘availability and timely responses’ and covers a range of public law-related work, with particular skill in regulatory issues. Public law expert Carlos Vázquez leads the team and his experience includes water, energy, environment, administrative HR and tax law. Also notable are Juan Alfonso Santamaría Pastor, who focuses on administrative and public finance law, and counsel Irene Fernández Puyol, who advises on public procurement, infrastructure and water, as well as urban development law and government procurement. In a recent highlight, the department advised the leading private shareholder in Aena, TCI, on litigation against the Spanish competition authority (CNMC) in relation to Aena’s tariffs.

The ‘pragmatic and result-oriented’ Garrigues focuses on administrative law, planning and environmental law, and has experience acting for various local authorities thanks to its presence across multiple jurisdictions. In addition, the practice is experienced in advising public and private entities across the various fields of public law, including public procurement, consumption, gambling, energy and infrastructure. Administrative law specialist Alfredo Fernández Rancaño leads the team and can call on the expertise of Javier Fernández Rivaya, who is experienced in regulatory and contractual matters.

Pérez-Llorca specialises in regulatory, litigation and public contracts work, particularly in relation to the infrastructure sector. José Ramón de Hoces advises on administrative and regulatory matters in public law, with expertise in public procurement, public sector restructuring and privatisation processes. He co-leads the practice with Juan Manuel Rodríguez Cárcamo, who is known for public procurement, litigation, infrastructure, transport and project finance. Also notable in the team are Elena Veleiro, who was promoted to partner in 2019 and has experience in public procurement, specifically in PPPs; counsel Ana Cremades, who joined from the Ministry of Energy, Tourism and Digital Agenda in 2019; and Alberto Ibort, who was promoted to partner in 2020 and has expertise in town planning and environment.

The ‘magnificent professionals’ at Uría Menéndez cover a range of public law issues, including finance, energy and infrastructure, transportation, telecoms, water and health, with particular expertise in the mining sector. The ‘professional and available’ firm also combines strong regulatory and litigation practices, with notable experience in public procurement and contracting. ‘Fantastic litigator’ Mariano Magide leads the practice and is known for his ‘understanding of Spanish and European law as well as industry and the market knowledge’. Notable in his team are José Miguel Fatás, who advises on all aspects of administrative law, especially in the pharma and financial sectors, and Jesús Remón, who focuses on national and international arbitration and litigation.

The ‘very responsive, extremely professional and skilled’ Baker McKenzie is experienced in advising on public law matters and arbitrations in international, national and regional courts. The firm has regulatory and administrative law expertise, with a focus on the application of administrative legislation and the regulated sectors. The practice is also known for advising on foreign investments, methods of entry, bidding and M&A activity of Spanish infrastructure groups outside Spain. Antonio Morales joined from Latham & Watkins LLP in 2019 and specialises in energy and natural resources, with experience in arbitration. He co-leads the team with Barcelona-based Xavier Junquera, who combines a ‘deep knowledge base and extensive experience in urban law’, with ‘exceptional response times and availability’; his expertise lies in public law and regulatory issues.

CMS Albiñana y Suárez de Lezo is known for advising the Spanish public sector on matters of administrative law, public procurement and regulatory law. The firm has particular expertise in public procurement processes, as well as disputes in the area. Former state attorney and public law expert Ignacio Grangel joined in 2019 from the private sector to head the firm’s public law and regulated sectors department. Co-leading the team with him are César Albiñana, Javier Torre de Silva and Juan José Zabala.

The ‘excellent, goal-oriented and 100% focused’ Hogan Lovells International LLP specialises in cross-border work and advises on the full spectrum of issues, from judicial proceedings against local or national public entities to bidding processes and waste management matters. Santiago Garrido is an expert in environmental law, climate change, public procurement and the energy and natural resources sectors. He co-leads the practice with Lucas Osorio, who focuses on infrastructure and PPP-related advice.

Linklaters specialises in the regulated sectors, notably energy, infrastructure and telecoms, providing standalone advice as well as supporting the transactional practice. The firm advises Ibex-35 index and large non-listed companies on public law issues. On the transactional side, the practice works with the corporate, banking and dispute resolution departments on various matters. José Giménez leads the team and has broad advisory and contentious experience, particularly in sectors with a regulatory component. 

Best known for advising on government contracts, Ramón y Cajal Abogados has particular expertise in concessions and PPP schemes, as well as providing regulatory advice. The department acts for clients across the energy, water, waste, transport, pharmaceuticals, health and social services, and telecoms sectors. The firm also has experience in defending clients before the contentious administrative courts in sectors including energy, water, waste, transport, pharmaceuticals and health. Pablo Silván leads the team and focuses on advising clients in the infrastructure, public services and energy sectors.

The ‘talented, hardworking and dedicated’ Allen & Overy advises on a range of administrative and regulatory issues, focusing on key sectors including infrastructure, public procurement, transport, energy and TMT. Practice head Pablo Mayor has ‘immense knowledge of public administration and the courts of justice’, as well as experience in advising on administration and private entities. Recent highlights include advising Disney Channel on all regulatory and administrative matters in Spain.

Specialising in regulation, DLA Piper has particular experience in project finance for infrastructure, as well as public administration and procedures. The firm's focus includes public procurement procedures and the public infrastructure, energy, industrial, chemical, healthcare and military sectors. José Ignacio Monedero advises on renewable energies, infrastructure, the pharmaceutical industry, public procurement, environment and public administration. He co-leads the practice with business public law expert José Manuel Sala.

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP’s public law practice has an industry focus, primarily in the energy and natural resources, environment and infrastructure sectors. Regulation and litigation are also key strengths for the firm. The team is co-led by Iria Calviño, who has experience advising major corporations, global investment banks, equity sponsors and public entities in domestic and cross-border transactions; Ignacio Paz, who is an infrastructure, energy and natural resources specialist; and Miguel Riaño, who is focused on energy, environment, infrastructure, natural resources and public law matters.

EY Abogados specialises in regulatory matters, providing advice and representation before the courts and regulatory authorities. The firm has experience acting in disputes related to administrative concessions and construction contracts, particularly cross-border issues in the construction, aviation and telecoms sectors. Félix Plasencia Sanchez focuses on regulation and public law. He co-leads the practice with Pilar Fernández Bozal, whose expertise includes public contracts, concessions, sanctioning procedures and environmental law.

Andersen advises private companies and public authorities on a range of contentious and non-contentious public law issues. The firm has experience in advising on public contracts and the implementation of private initiative participation models in public infrastructure development projects. José Vicente Morote leads the team and focuses on public and regulatory law, public procurement and regulated sectors, particularly infrastructure, construction and urbanism. Also notable is former state attorney Miguel Nieto, who joined in 2019 from Administrador de Infraestructuras Ferroviarias and specialises in infrastructure.

Ashurst LLP has experience in public regulation, public procurement, public infrastructure contracts, energy regulation and public sanctioning procedures. Practice head Pablo Garcia-Manzano joined the firm in 2018 from the Spanish Ministry of Energy, Tourism and Digital Agenda, where he was Deputy Secretary of State. He brings broad expertise in public law, particularly in relation to the infrastructure and energy sectors.

The 'quick, efficient and experienced' MA Abogados provides a range of public law advice related to the maritime and ports, social and healthcare, and inland transport sectors. The firm has experience in contentious administrative proceedings, public authority liability and procurement procedures, as well as the execution of public contracts. Public law specialist Sofía Acuña Dorado co-leads the practice with Salvador Bueno Miguel, who focuses on public economic law and advice to local and regional public administrative bodies.

ONTIER provides 'great knowledge of the subject matter’, as well as ‘experts with a focus on understanding customer needs and providing clear insights on the legal implications and recommended courses of action'. The firm’s specialities include constitutional law, litigation and advising on competition mandates within the scope of administrative proceedings, notably anti-competitive practices, state aid and disputes. Pedro Rubio Escobar is an expert in procedural, administrative and arbitration law. He co-leads the practice with the ‘approachable, available, diligent and trustworthy’ Jorge Álvarez, who focuses on administrative matters.