Firm Profile > Uría Menéndez > Madrid, Spain

Banking and finance Tier 1

Advising borrowers and lenders, Uría Menéndez’s experience covers the spectrum of banking and finance matters, from corporate lending, project finance and acquisition finance, to restructuring and financial regulatory issues. Practice head Ángel Pérez López focuses on corporate, acquisition and project finance. He can call on the expertise of Sebastián Sáenz de Santa María, who is known for banking, project finance, acquisition finance and restructuring, and Carlos de Cárdenas Smith, who leads the firm’s corporate and commercial practice and specialises in banking, finance, M&A and restructuring work. Also notable in the team are counsel Isabel Aguilar, who has expertise in payment industry regulation, and counsel Carolina Albuerne, who is active in the fields of banking regulation and securities law.

Capital markets: Debt Tier 1

Uría Menéndez is experienced in the issuance of debt securities, including issuances of state-of-the-art hybrid securities by financial institutions, as well as issuances in the context of acquisition finance. The firm provides a debt capital markets practice with expertise in the spectrum of products, notably equity-linked bonds, structured and project bonds, and regulatory capital instruments. Rafael Sebastián leads the practice and specialises in capital markets, M&A and corporate restructuring. His team includes Javier Redonet, who is known for company, finance and securities law, and counsel Carolina Albuerne, who focuses on company, securities and banking law.

Capital markets: Equity Tier 1

The ‘exceptional’ Uría Menéndez provides ‘knowledgeable and helpful’ advice on the spectrum of equity capital markets transactions, notably IPOs, follow-on offerings, rights issues, equity-linked instruments and public M&A. The multi-jurisdictional expertise of the firm enables the practice to act for issuers and underwriters in outbound and inbound matters. Luis de Carlos Bertrán advises on corporate governance, M&A, banking and corporate law matters. He co-leads the practice with Javier Redonet, who specialises in company, finance and securities law. Notable in their team is Gabriel Núñez, whose experience covers public offerings and IPOs, takeovers and project finance deals. The department is advising NH Hotel Group on the mandatory tender offer by Minor International Group for 100% of the company’s shares.

Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 1

Known for providing ‘a top-quality product and service’, Uría Menéndez has expertise in complex and cross-border transactions, notably in Portugal and the Latam region. The practice offers ‘unique, well-rounded solutions’ and is co-led by Manuel Echenique, who specialises in domestic and international M&A, private equity and general corporate law, and Francisco San Miguel, who is experienced in domestic and international private equity and banking M&A. Their prolific team includes Juan Francisco Falcón, who covers a range of corporate law and financing work, with particular emphasis on M&A, private equity, structured finance and securitisations; Juan Miguel Goenechea Domínguez, who focuses on public and private transactions, in Spain and internationally; Salvador Sánchez Terán, who advises on corporate transactions involving credit entities and on the development of new financial instruments; and Tomás Acosta who acts in debt restructuring and multi-jurisdictional structured finance deals, as well as equity and debt issuances.

Dispute resolution Tier 1

Uría Menéndez is known for its expertise in civil and commercial proceedings, international and domestic arbitration, administrative law, constitutional law and criminal law. The firm is increasingly active in the Latin American market and brings broad sector expertise to its disputes practice, including corporate law, financial transactions, infrastructure projects, IT and commercial contracts. Jesús Remón Peñalver leads the team and is experienced in a range of judicial and arbitration proceedings. Also notable are Álvaro López de Argumedo, who specialises in civil litigation and international arbitration; Alex Ferreres Comellas, who focuses on contractual liability and torts; and international arbitration expert Miguel Virgós. The department is representing Banco Santander in a damages claim brought against it by former shareholders of Abengoa.

Employment Tier 1

Environment Tier 1

Offering ‘strategic thinking and responsiveness to client needs’, Uría Menéndez handles transactional, regulatory and litigation matters relating to carbon trading, environmental liability, soil pollution, and waste and water management. The practice acts for clients in the energy, construction, utilities and mining sectors. Soil pollution, water and environmental liability experts Carlos de Miguel Perales and Juan Antonio Loste Madoz head the team. Noemí Blázquez, who has experience in planning law and advises on the management of hazardous substances, is noted for her ‘strategic understanding of the client’s long-term objectives’. Jesús Sedano, who has extensive experience in public procurement and contentious administrative matters, and IPPC expert Jaime Calvo Retuerto are also recommended.

EU and competition Tier 1

Uría Menéndez's team stands out for its 'excellence, professionalism, intelligence and accessibility'. The firm covers the spectrum of EU law and competition matters, from merger control and cartel investigations to abuse of dominant position and state aid. The practice also has experience in the damages field, drawing on the firm’s litigation expertise. Jaime Folguera is active in proceedings before the European Commission and the Spanish Competition Authority, as well as before the EU and Spanish courts. He co-leads the team with the ‘committed, reliable and trustworthy’ Antonio Guerra, who has 'deep knowledge of antitrust law, processes and business’ and ‘extraordinarily good communication skills'. Also notable are Patricia Vidal, who focuses on cartel cases before the Spanish and EU authorities, and senior associate Tomás Arranz, whose expertise includes real estate, construction, insurance, banking and retail distribution.

Industry focus: Food Tier 1

Uría Menéndez’s food and beverage practice group includes partners with corporate, IP, competition, litigation, criminal and regulatory experience. The team focuses on transactional work in the sector, including debt restructurings and M&A. Headed by joint venture, mergers and spin-offs expert Elena Úbeda, who frequently advises French and Belgian clients, the team also includes competition litigation and EU law specialist Patricia Vidal. Recent highlights include advising on the strategic deal and master franchise global alliance between Telepizza Group and Pizza Hut International.

Industry focus: Healthcare and life sciences Tier 1

The team at Uría Menéndez handles both transactional and regulatory matters in the healthcare and life sciences sectors, and has particular expertise in compliance issues, such as internal investigations and setting up structures and policies. Members of the team are regularly seconded to clients in the sector. Teresa Paz-Ares, whose practice focuses on commercial and M&A law, heads the team. Also notable is José Massaguer, who specialises in intellectual property and innovation in healthcare. Recent highlight matters include advising on the potential implementation of a free price policy for pharmaceutical products in Spain, as opposed to the current government-fixed prices.

Industry focus: Manufacturing Tier 1

Uría Menéndez’s manufacturing practice group is made up of partners with corporate, intellectual property, competition, litigation, environmental, criminal and regulatory expertise. EU and competition expert Patricia Vidal, intellectual property specialist José Massaguer, and Teresa Paz-Ares, who focuses on M&A and corporate governance, co-lead the team. Recent highlights include advising Grupo Ferroatlántica, which produces ferroalloys, silicon and hydroelectric power, on its sale to a vehicle controlled by TPG Sixth Street Partners.

Industry focus: Retail Tier 1

The retail team at Uría Menéndez includes partners from the firm’s corporate, intellectual property, competition, litigation and regulatory groups. The practice is led by EU law and competition specialist Patricia Vidal; Ramiro Rivera, who is head of the firm’s securitisation working group; and Borja Sainz de Aja, who focuses on intellectual property and unfair competition. Rivera recently advised Distribuidora Internacional de Alimentación on a proposed €600m share capital increase. Other highlights include representing Philip Morris Spain before the CNMC, the Spanish competition regulator.

Industry focus: TMT Tier 1

Uría Menéndez advises clients in areas such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and fintech. In addition to assisting with e-commerce matters, the practice provides transactional and M&A-related advice to clients in the media and telecoms sectors. Other key areas of work include issues related to disruptive technology and advice on investigations and litigation. Pablo González-Espejo, who focuses on commercial law and regularly acts for Latin American clients, heads the team. Intellectual property and unfair competition specialist Borja Sainz de Aja is also recommended and advises clients in the electronics, microelectronics and software sectors. E-commerce and data protection specialist Leticia López-Lapuente, who leads the firm's e-commerce and data protection groups, was recently promoted to partner.

Insurance Tier 1

Specialising in cross-border transactions, Uría Menéndez is known for bancassurance work and insurance M&A. As well as providing litigation expertise, the firm has notable experience in value-in-force monetisation transactions and the restructuring of insurance businesses in the banking industry. The ‘very smart’ Guillermo San Pedro leads the practice and focuses on advising on transactions in the insurance market and regulatory matters. He can call on the expertise of senior associate Jaime del Fraile, who advises on M&A and corporate matters in the insurance area. Alejandro Linares left to join Sunco Capital in 2019.

Intellectual property: Copyright Tier 1

Uría Menéndez provides both contentious and non-contentious advice on copyright matters, including in relation to licensing and business transactions. Practice head Agustín González is an expert in art law. Also noted is competition specialist Montiano Monteaguo.

Intellectual property: patents Tier 1

Uría Menéndez provides advice on licensing, regulatory matters and the IP aspects of business transactions, and also handles patent litigation. The ‘fast-acting and proactive’ team represents clients in the chemical, pharmaceutical, biotech, cosmetics and consumer goods sectors. Unfair competition expert José Massaguer heads the practice. Ingrid Pi i Amorós has extensive litigation experience in the life sciences area, and Montiano Monteagudo advises on contract law and competition.

Intellectual property: Trade marks Tier 1

The trade mark practice at Uría Menéndez advises clients in the food and beverages, pharmaceutical and automotive sectors. José Massaguer heads the team, which also handles litigation, licensing and the IP aspects of transactional work. Montiano Monteagudo is also recommended, and ‘one of a kind’ counsel Nuria Porxas is noted for her ‘excellent technical skills’.

Private equity Tier 1

Uría Menéndez has experience advising on formation and fundraising, as well as equity investments and debt financing. Known for public and private M&A, the firm provides expertise in distressed M&A, debt-for-equity transactions, turnarounds and restructurings, with particular strength in advising the private equity industry on Latam transactions. Francisco San Miguel focuses on domestic and international private equity and banking M&A. He co-leads the practice with Manuel Echenique Sanjurjo, who specialises in M&A, private equity and general corporate law. Also notable are Latam expert Juan Miguel Goenechea Domínguez, who acts in cross-border public and private transactions, and Christian Hoedl, whose forte is M&A and private equity matters.

Projects and energy Tier 1

The ‘honest and professional’ Uría Menéndez is experienced in advising on project finance transactions, wind projects, solar photovoltaic plants and energy infrastructure. The firm specialises in M&A, finance and regulatory matters in the energy industry. Ángel Pérez López focuses on corporate matters, acquisitions and project finance. He co-leads the practice with Juan Ignacio González Ruiz, who has expertise in banking, energy law and project finance, and maritime and transport specialist Carlos López-Quiroga. Also notable in the team is corporate and commercial expert Carlos de Cárdenas Smith. María José Descalzo left the firm.

Public law Tier 1

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.

Real estate and construction Tier 1

The ‘clear-headed, methodical, quick-thinking and solution-driven' Uría Menéndez is regarded as ‘one of the best corporate real estate teams in the legal market, because of its wide knowledge of the law and the commercial aspects of transactions'. The firm specialises in large portfolio transactions, M&A, and advising foreign funds and investors. Fernando Azofra Vegas advises domestic and foreign companies on real estate and banking matters, asset finance and M&A transactions with an underlying real estate component. He co-leads the practice with ‘best in the market’ Diego Armero Montes, who has particular experience in corporate and commercial law. Also notable are asset finance specialist Javier Ruiz-Cámara and Rafael Jiménez, who moved back to Madrid in 2019 from the firm’s office in Santiago de Chile.

Restructuring and insolvency Tier 1

Uría Menéndez has experience in the full range of restructuring and insolvency matters, including group restructuring, debt refinancing, direct lending and related litigation. The firm advises creditors and borrowers and is active in the Spanish financial market, as well as in cross-border issues. Ángel Pérez López leads the practice and focuses on corporate, acquisition and project finance. Notable in his team are Carlos de Cárdenas Smith, who is known for his expertise in banking, finance, M&A and restructuring, and counsel Javier Rubio Sanz, who advises domestic and foreign companies on insolvency proceedings, representing debtors and creditors.

Tax Tier 1

Uría Menéndez has a formidable reputation for high-quality, high-value tax work, leading on major transactions in a number of sectors. The team, headed by Rafael García Llaneza, distinguishes itself in the areas of M&A, joint ventures and private equity tax practice. David López Pombo and Víctor Viana are both recognised as 'experts in the financial sector', especially regarding business combinations and foreign investments; in a recent highlight, they assisted US-based Lone Star Funds with the tax aspects of a €3bn investment agreement with Bankia over its real estate assets. Guillermo Canalejo is also noted.

White-collar crime Tier 1

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.

Data privacy and data protection Tier 2

Uría Menéndez has multi-disciplinary expertise, advising on litigation and privacy work, primarily for large, multinational tech companies. Privacy, cyberlaw and fintech expert Leticia López-Lapuente leads the practice and specialises in technology and data protection matters for clients in the finance, tech and industry sectors. Her team is advising Microsoft on data protection and privacy issues in Spain.

Transport: Other transport Tier 2

Uría Menéndez's practice advises on shipping, aviation, rail, urban mobility and logistics matters, and is noted for its broad client list of road carriers, airlines, freight forwarders, and energy, tech and insurance companies. The team advises on leasing contracts, aviation finance and the use of digital transport platforms and apps. Practice head Carlos López-Quiroga handles M&A transactions and litigation in the transport sector, and associate Sofía Rodríguez Torres advises transport clients on regulatory and general corporate matters.

Transport: Shipping Tier 2

Latin America: International firms > Banking and finance Tier 4

Illustrious Spanish firm Uría Menéndez has deep connections to Latin America and through its association with Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría, it has a presence in Colombia, Peru and Chile. Moreover, it has its own office in Mexico and a dedicated group focused on Brazil, while it is unique in having a Cuba desk in its Madrid headquarters. Over the last decade and more, the firm has worked intensively in restructurings, refinancings and non-performing loans, particularly in relation to Spanish clients' operations in Latin America. Clients include Banco Santander, Eximbank of Russia, Agence Française de Développement (AFD), Grupo Centennial Towers and Banco BTG Pactual. The firm advised Banco BTG Pactual, CIFI and Banco Pichincha Panamá on a $50m loan for the Vial Montes de María toll road in northern Colombia, part of the nation's 4G infrastructure programme. It also advised the lenders on a short-term $60m financing for the Pasto-Rumichaca road concession in Colombia. The team is praised for its 'knowledge, quality of work, profound understanding of the client's requirements', 'capability to cover all diferent angles of one single transaction' which makes it 'outstanding' and 'undoubtedly a preferred partner'. The team is praised for its 'strong knowledge of Spanish law' and 'always pointing out the risks clearly and giving the tools to clients to take decisions'. Eduardo Rodríguez-Rovira and Ángel Pérez López are key partners in Madrid - both have a great deal of Latin America experience; the latter is commended for his 'know-how, experience, attention to detail together with devoted service and loyalty', which 'makes him the ideal lawyer to trust when you have to deal with complex transactions'.

Latin America: International firms > Corporate and M&A Tier 4

Uría Menéndez continues to reinforce its illustrious standing in Latin America. While many of its Spanish clients have considerable assets and interests in Latin America, it is increasingly active in outbound deals from the region itself. Its longstanding links to the region are complemented by its participation in Latin American entity Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uria ("PPU"), which currently has a presence in Chile, Peru and Colombia. Although it closed its Sao Paulo office in 2018, the firm and PPU remain committed to the Brazilian market, particularly in relation to outbound transactions. It also continues to operate a rep office in Mexico City (although entry into the Mexican market by PPU, long envisaged, is now regarded as imminent) and has a deep focus on the Cuban market through its Cuban desk in Madrid. One client states it has 'unparalleled expertise on Cuba and Cuban law' and that 'no other firm outside of Cuba has the same level of capability', concluding that 'the quality and responsiveness of services provided were superb on every level' and 'the commitment and quality of the team is outstanding'. Clients include BBVA, Grupo Damm, Summit Partners, Telepizza, Grupo Konecta and Ferrovial. The firm's Cuban desk recently worked alongside Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP to advise Roswell Park on the landmark US-Cuban biotech joint venture between US medical centre Roswell Park and Cuban cancer research group Center for Molecular Immunology. The firm also advised Telepizza on its master franchise global alliance with Pizza Hut International to accelerate growth across Latin America (excluding Brazil), the Caribbean, Spain (& Andorra), Portugal and Switzerland. Key partners include head of the Latin America practice group Eduardo Rodríguez-Rovira, Juan Martín Perrotto and Pablo González-Espejo in Madrid. Madrid associate Lourdes Dávalos, who heads the Cuba desk, is 'tireless, always available and brings unique expertise to the table'.

Latin America: International firms > International arbitration > International arbitration Tier 5

Uría Menéndez is regularly instructed on high-value construction disputes, and is particularly active in handling cases involving Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru. The 28-partner team is also experienced in a broad range of commercial arbitrations and investor-state disputes. Gabriel Bottini defended a Bolivian state-owned company in an arbitration proceeding relating to the development of an iron and steel complex; Jesús Remón and Miguel Virgós  handled a series of construction disputes.