White-collar crime in Spain

Garrigues specialises in criminal compliance, internal investigations and corporate defence. The firm has a national and global reach, with feet on the ground across Europe, particularly in Spain and Portugal, as well as in Latin America. The team is co-led by Gabriel Castro, who focuses on prosecution and defence in criminal proceedings, as well as in extradition and international mutual assistance procedures; internal investigation specialist Helena Prieto, who has experience in corporate investigations into transnational criminal conduct at multinational companies; and Eduardo Torres-Dulce, who is an expert litigator, including in cross-border matters.

Specialising in multi-jurisdictional cases, Uría Menéndez has a depth of expertise, covering corporate criminal liability, bribery and internal investigations. The firm also handles the prosecution of employees from the company side, as well as providing particular experience in tax fraud matters, including defending individuals and corporates in accounting fraud cases. The team is co-led by emeritus partner Carlos Bueren, who is known for representing clients in fraud, forgery, concealment of assets, tax fraud and misappropriation matters; criminal law specialist Óscar Morales; Ismael Clemente, who focuses on white-collar cases; and Jaime Alonso, who is active in the corporate criminal defence sector. Also notable is principal associate Alberto Gómez Fraga, who is an expert in financial criminal law.

CMS Albiñana y Suárez de Lezo advises on corporate criminal law, providing the traditional services of legal prosecution and defence, as well as expertise in preventive criminal law and corporate compliance. The firm is particularly active in financial criminal law and crime prevention compliance. Practice head Carlos Aguilar is well regarded for criminal, civil, corporate and constitutional law, with a notable focus on financial criminal law.

Focusing on advising financial entities, Gómez-Acebo & Pombo specialises in cross-border criminal investigations involving tax fraud, money laundering and asset tracing. The firm also has experience in compliance and criminal liability issues, as well as corruption-related matters. Carlos Sáiz Díaz has litigation and disputes expertise in matters before the Spanish courts and regulatory authorities; he co-leads the practice with Vanessa Fernández Lledó, who focuses on criminal law, white-collar crime and corporate compliance issues.

Known for handling multi-jurisdictional criminal cases, Pérez-Llorca also has experience in Spanish criminal litigation and providing advice on crisis management and internal investigations. Practice head Adriana De Buerba is an expert in criminal litigation and represents clients as defence and private prosecution. Notable in her team is Juan Palomino, who was promoted to partner in 2019 and has a particular focus on matters related to new technologies, including criminal IP infringements, cyber-fraud and offences related to cryptocurrencies.

Clifford Chance covers corporate criminal litigation and advice, particularly in relation to corporate crimes, intellectual property crimes, bribery, money laundering, environmental crimes and tax crimes. The practice also has a wealth of expertise in cross-border criminal litigation. Carlos Zabala leads the team and focuses on cross-border investigations, compliance and due diligence procedures, as well as being an expert in cyber security.

Jones Day advises companies and individuals on preventive measures and defends clients in a range of financial crime cases, including in relation to corruption, securities fraud, market offences, money laundering and environmental offences. The firm also has experience in internal investigations and regulatory proceedings. Practice head José Bonilla represents individuals and companies in white-collar criminal proceedings, with a particular focus on financial and securities matters, notably tax fraud and money laundering matters.

Business and economic crime boutique Oliva-Ayala Abogados acts for corporate and private clients in a range of matters. Managing partner Ignacio Ayala Gómez is particularly experienced in the business sector, acting for clients in court and in cases outside court.