Mr José Miguel Fatás > Uría Menéndez > Madrid, Spain > Lawyer Profile

Uría Menéndez continues to represent a multitude of European clients, especially those based in the Iberian Peninsula, in investment treaty cases against Latin American states; many of its matters are connected to Spain’s bilateral investment treaties with states such as Peru and Colombia. The firm is also a key player in commercial arbitration and in public international law cases. The Madrid headquarters houses a sizeable cohort of international arbitration specialists, many of whom have extensive experience of Latin America disputes. The Barcelona and Lisbon offices provide further senior experience and resources, all of which can be further combined with the local expertise provided by associated firm Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uría from its offices in Chile, Colombia and Peru. Gabriel Bottini has a prolific record in Latin America international arbitration, frequently acting as counsel or as arbitrator in major cases. Another prominent figure in Latin America disputes, José Miguel Fatás is now head of the international arbitration practice. Álvaro López de Argumedo is an experienced arbitral specialist with a lengthy track record in Latin America matters; while younger partner Heidi López Castro continues to build his practice having being promoted to partner in January 2024. All named individuals are based in Madrid.

Offering assistance with litigation, international arbitration, and civil and commercial proceedings, the dispute resolution team at Uría Menéndez is capable of handling high-value, multijurisdictional, and complex matters. The group’s expertise has amassed an impressive client roster which continues to expand, and consists of government entities, financial institutions, and construction companies, among others. National and international arbitration specialist José Miguel Fatás co-heads the practice alongside litigation, judicial, and arbitration proceeding expert Agustín Capilla Casco, and investment arbitration authority Gabriel Bottini. Other notable names in the team include Heidi López Castro – who is adept in leading on energy, construction, and corporate arbitrations – and Javier Yáñez Evangelista – who concentrates on civil litigation with a particular focus on corporate and insolvency disputes.

The public law department at Uría Menéndez has a breadth of expertise which covers banking regulations, energy, infrastructure, transport, telecoms, healthcare and consumer protection regulations, among others. The team excels in administrative and judicial proceedings before Spanish and European courts, and also stands out for its wealth of experience in public procurement and contracting matters. Leading the practice is Mariano Magide, who specialises in public contracts, public infrastructure, and administrative litigation. Manuel Vélez stands out for his deep knowledge of regulated sectors, public procurement and public authority liability. Other notable practitioners include Miguel Martínez Gimeno, who draws on his former role as General Director of the Legal Service of the Spanish Securities and Exchange Commission; and administrative law experts José Alberto Navarro, José Miguel Fatás and Xavier Codina García-Andrade.