Event Report

Legal 500 successfully launched its first-ever Iberia Awards on 27 November 2025, marking a major milestone in recognising legal excellence across the Portuguese and Spanish markets. The inaugural ceremony brought together many of the region’s most prominent legal professionals in Madrid for an evening celebrating standout achievements across the Iberian legal community.

The event drew an exceptional turnout of senior practitioners from both jurisdictions, including partners from leading law firms, senior in-house counsel at major Iberian corporates and influential figures from across the wider legal sector. The evening provided a platform to honour law firms, private practice lawyers and in-house legal teams that have demonstrated exceptional performance throughout the year, with particular focus on technical excellence, innovation and the adaptability that continues to strengthen Iberia’s position within European legal practice.

Highlights of the inaugural ceremony included:

    • Pérez-Llorca presented with the coveted Iberia Firm of the Year award, recognised for its 33% revenue growth in 2024 and significant expansion across Portugal, Mexico and Colombia, underpinned by cross-border innovation.
    • Fernando Vives from Garrigues honoured as Lawyer of the Year for his distinguished career in corporate and M&A, advising Spanish listed companies on major transactions, and combining legal excellence with visionary leadership.
    • MASORANGE awarded In-House Team of the Year.
    • Célia Sá Miranda from SONAE named GC of the Year in recognition of her leadership in navigating complex cross-border transactions and strategic financings.
    • Vanessa Cuellas from A&O Shearman celebrated as Next Generation Partner of the Year for her expertise in market-leading project, infrastructure and energy finance transactions.
    • Inês Gouveia from Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados awarded Leading Associate of the Year for her outstanding work in competition law at national and EU levels.
    • Rēgula named Rising Firm of the Year, following its strong 2024 launch, bringing together top former Ramón y Cajal antitrust specialists and quickly establishing itself as a standout boutique in competition, regulation and litigation.
    • Faus Moliner recognised as Boutique Firm of the Year.Grounded in Legal 500’s independent research and in-depth market insight, the awards offer a credible and impartial benchmark of excellence across both the Portuguese and Spanish legal sectors.

      A huge congratulations to all shortlisted teams and individuals, and to each of this year’s winners.

      Full list of winners: https://www.legal500.com/events/iberia-awards/winners-2025/
      Event photos: https://www.legal500.com/events/iberia-awards/on-the-night-3/

      Thank you to everyone who came together in Madrid to help make the inaugural Legal 500 Iberia Awards an unforgettable success. We look forward to recognising the region’s legal excellence for many years to come.