Pérez-Llorca > Madrid, Spain > Firm Profile

Pérez-Llorca > The Legal 500 Rankings

Spain > Dispute resolution Tier 1

Pérez-Llorca maintains a strong position in the Spanish dispute resolution market, where it is well versed in both litigation and arbitration. The department has seen an uptick in cases involving the construction, engineering and infrastructure sectors, particularly with regards to projects in Latin America. Also of note is the firm’s expertise in antitrust litigation; it remains involved in some of the largest follow-on damages cases in Spain, many of which involve large numbers of proceedings. This includes matters before the European Court of Justice (ECJ), where the firm has a notable track record. Outside of the antitrust space, highlights include Juan Manuel Rodríguez Cárcamo‘s advice to Banco Santander on the preliminary reference being analysed by the ECJ in connection with the resolution of Banco Popular, in addition to multiple domestic proceedings. In line with the firm’s consistent growth, it has further expanded its disputes department, most recently with the 2022 hires of Fernando de la Mata and counsel María Domingo, who joined the firm’s growing Barcelona team. Félix Montero draws on over 20 years of experience to lead the firm’s dispute resolution practice, which includes standout practitioners Guillermina Ester; Beatriz García, who has been leading on complex antitrust cases; and Laura Ruiz, a partner since 2021 who has developed a notable practice in commercial, construction, insolvency and banking litigation. Jordi Gras is another key contact in Barcelona.

Spain > EU and competition Tier 1

Pérez-Llorca has a broad competition practice with significant expertise in cartel investigations conducted by the Spanish and EU competition authorities, major domestic and cross-border merger control cases, and follow-on damages claims. In addition, the team stands out for its strength in EU law, frequently handling high-profile litigation before the European Court of Justice; this practice was further bolstered in September 2022 with the launch of the firm's Brussels office, led by Sonsoles Centeno. Juan Jiménez-Laiglesia leads the competition practice, while Juan Rodríguez Cárcamo heads the EU law litigation practice. Jaime De Blas, Pablo Figueroa, who has additional foreign direct investment expertise, and senior associate Ana María Rodríguez are also key contacts in the sizeable team.

Spain > Industry focus: Manufacturing Tier 1

Pérez-Llorca‘s strength in advising clients in the manufacturing sector is particularly notable in relation to the corporate, dispute resolution and employment spheres, as it handles a range of M&A operations, litigation proceedings and collective bargaining agreements. Apart from these three pillars, the practice has also been active on the restructuring and insolvency front. Beatriz García leads the practice, recognised for her knowledge of public procurement and litigation with a regulatory element.

Spain > Insurance Tier 1

Pérez-Llorca has established a market-leading practice in the insurance sector. It possesses extensive expertise in the design of new contingency insurance products, and the team is also well equipped to assist insurance clients in litigation and regulatory and commercial matters. The department is overseen by Joaquín Ruiz Echauri, a highly reputed practitioner with over 30 years’ of experience, who is particularly active in disputes pertaining to the insurance sector. Associate Jesús Almarcha is seasoned in the development of regulatory projects. Rafael Fernández, who has experience in corporate, regulatory and contentious matters, is another key contact.

Spain > Public law Tier 1

The highly acclaimed public law team at Pérez-Llorca offers its strong knowledge of regulatory, litigation and public enterprise transactions, covering disputes before courts at both an EU and national level, public procurement and infrastructure matters, and deals involving regulated assets. Leading the practice is Juan Manuel Rodríguez Cárcamo, who is active in a range of matters, with a recent highlight including the successful representation of Banco Santander in a preliminary ruling referred to the Court of Justice of the European Union. Other notable figures include public procurement expert Elena Veleiro and Natalia Olmos, who was promoted to partner in January 2021.

Spain > Real estate and construction Tier 1

Pérez-Llorca continues to be a popular choice for Spanish and international clients in both domestic and cross-border real estate matters. The sizeable team is well equipped to assist clients on the full array of real estate matters, covering the complete real estate production cycle. Jesús Varela is often engaged in asset and share deals, real estate financings and NPL portfolio trades. Fausto Romero-Miura advises international investors, developers and funds on the full spectrum of transactions in this sector, while Alejandro Osma advises clients on real estate M&A, joint ventures, real estate private equity deals, and sale and leaseback transactions. Alberto Ibort Franch‘s practice focuses on land planning, with expertise covering refurbishment of historical buildings, legal and administrative proceedings and day-to-day legal management of planning matters. Corporate and M&A and real estate expert Florence Legeay was promoted to partner in January 2023.

Spain > Banking and finance Tier 2

Pérez-Llorca is well known for its strong direct lending and private debt practice, with extensive experience advising funds and investment managers, in addition to acting for major Spanish and international banks. The team handles acquisition finance, corporate finance, project finance and restructurings, and has recently been particularly active in major real estate finance matters in the Spanish market - particularly in the logistics and hospitality sectors - and in high-end, cross-border transactions. The firm also has a strong financial services and fund formation practice, led by Josefina García Pedroviejo. London-based practice head Ander Valverde is particularly experienced in direct lending and Ildefonso Arenas is also noted for his expertise in the private debt field. Other key names include Mónica de San Román, who has expertise in the financing of energy and infrastructure projects, and counsel Isabel Villa, who joined the team from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer in April 2022.

Spain > Capital markets: Debt Tier 2

Pérez-Llorca stands out for the strength of its securitisation practice, advising Spanish banks and financial institutions, foreign SPVs and domestic funds on highly complex transactions, including cross-border matters. On the debt capital markets side, the team handles all types of debt issuances, including advising on EMTN and ECP programmes, commercial paper programmes and regulatory capital instruments. Carlos Pérez Dávila, who has extensive experience in fixed income, securitisation and structured finance transactions, leads the practice, which also draws on the support of the firm’s New York office for international transactions. Associate Santiago Bertola is also a name to note. Counsel Gabriel Salarich and Yolanda Azanza joined from Clifford Chance in January and June 2023, respectively.

Spain > Capital markets: Equity Tier 2

Pérez-Llorca stands out for its advice to major investors and shareholders on equity capital markets transactions, although the team also assists issuers, with broad experience which spans IPOs and secondary offerings on the main stock exchange and BME Growth segment, share capital increases, public takeover bids and regulatory issues involving listed companies. Carlos Pérez Dávila leads the practice. Other key contacts in the team include Julio Lujambio, who is highly experienced in IPOs, block trades and public M&A, New York-based Javier Gómez, Pablo González Mosqueira and Pedro Fernández, an expert in rights issues and equity-linked transactions. The team was bolstered with the arrival of Teresa Méndez, who has expertise in takeover bids, IPOs and capital increases, from Allen & Overy in January 2023, and of Yolanda Azanza from Clifford Chance in June 2023.

Spain > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 2

Pérez-Llorca leverages a presence in Madrid and Barcelona, in addition to overseas sites in New York, London and Brussels, to support on a broad array of leading domestic and cross-border transactions. Javier Carvajal  serves as practice head, brining over 20 years’ worth of experience in energy, financial services, industrial and infrastructure deals to the table; he is supported by Pedro Pérez-Llorca  who has overseen some of the market’s landmark M&A, public takeover, privatisation and multi-jurisdictional transactions, as well as Iván Delgado , previously of the New York office, who notable heads the LatAm desk and international practice. Recent developments in the team include the arrival of Teresa Méndez from Allen & Overy and Javier Bau from KPMG, in January 2023, and the promotions of Florence Legeay and Pablo Hontoria to partner.

Spain > Employment Tier 2

The employment team at Pérez-Llorca offers proactive advice across the full spectrum of matters, including senior executive dismissals, collective procedures and temporary workforce restructuring plans, with further expertise in carrying out internal investigations relating to whistleblowing claims. The team, led by Luis Enrique Fernández Pallarés, attracts the likes of Just Eat Spain, El Corte Inglés and Grupo Cofely, among other leading corporations in the financial, insurance, energy and retail sectors. Other notable practitioners include Daniel Cifuentes and Laura Pérez, key contacts for litigation and pre-litigation advice, with experience standing before all levels of labour courts and national authorities. Isabel Moya is another standout, focused on remuneration policies and M&A transactions, a wide offering strengthened by the arrival of counsels Marta Iranzo and Yolanda Valdeolivas in early 2022.

Spain > Environment Tier 2

Situated within the firm’s public and regulatory law team, the environment and climate change practice at Pérez-Llorca is well placed to offer comprehensive environmental law advice, covering environmental risks, audits, liability and compliance analysis. The highly experienced team acts for a varied client base, which includes market-leading companies operating in the banking, energy and consumer electronics industries. Head of practice Alberto Ibort Franch is particularly noted for his work on soil contamination and land environmental matters. He is assisted by senior associate and environmental public sector specialist José Del Saz-Orozco. Senior associates Clara Carazo, Beatriz Álvarez and Marta Velasco are other key individuals.

Spain > Industry focus: Healthcare and life sciences Tier 2

As part of the firm’s public law offering, the life sciences group at Pérez-Llorca exhibits strength in patent litigation and IP matters, with supplementary expertise in regulatory, M&A and competition law issues. Leading the team are IP expert Eduardo Castillo, who joined the firm in September 2021, and Juan Manuel Rodríguez Cárcamo, a key contact for public law issues. Rais Amills, an arrival in January 2022, reinforces the team’s capabilities with regard to IP matters, while the addition of counsel Álvaro de Castro in September 2021 contributed towards the practice’s IP and unfair competition efforts.

Spain > Private equity Tier 2

Pedro Pérez-Llorca is present in both Barcelona and Madrid, along with international offices in London, New York and Brussels. The practice, which is naturally coveted by national and international clients, excels in all-manner of private equity transactions, from LBOs, MBOs and MBIs through to divestments, public-to-private deals and competitive tender processes. The practice also carries out an abundance of fund investment and fund raising work, particularly in the context of hedge funds and distressed transactions, and is led by Pablo González Mosqueira  whose workload spans public and private M&A, special situations and restructuring processes. Francisco Iso  is well-placed to support on deals with a US component, whereas Pedro Marques da Gama  serves as a distressed acquisition and special situation specialist. Beyond the partnership,  José Luis Romeu is an associate who is able to provide an international outlook, having previously practised at the London office.

Spain > Projects and energy Tier 2

Pérez-Llorca‘s project finance and energy offering, which sits within the firm’s public law and corporate teams, regularly provides high-quality advice in the context of regulatory, litigation, transactional and project finance matters. Licensing and permits, infrastructure projects and the establishment of SPVs are part of this package. Leadership of the team is divided between project finance expert Mónica de San Román, regulatory specialist Ana Cremades and Javier Carvajal, noted for corporate issues. Associate Belén Wert is also recommended.

Spain > Restructuring and insolvency Tier 2

Pérez-Llorca's team is highly regarded for advising major Spanish banking institutions, investment funds, and national and international companies on the creditor and debtor side of major restructurings and insolvency proceedings. Debt refinancing, company liquidations and transactions involving distressed assets are also key drivers of work for the group. Juan Oñate takes the lead on complex restructuring matters, while Javier García Marrero is sought after by financial entities for advising on complex insolvency proceedings and the insolvency aspects of M&A transactions. Cosme Colmenero and Laura Ruiz are key practitioners to note.

Spain > Tax Tier 2

Pérez-Llorca‘s tax offering is particularly strong in the structuring of high-value M&A and real estate transactions, as well as tax litigation and audits. The firm is building its wealth management practice, advising high-net-worth clients on tax planning and the restructuring of investments, and developing its strength in the insurance tax space. The client base includes major financial institutions, private equity funds and private banks. Clara Jiménez, who is highly regarded for her expertise in tax litigation, heads the team. Barcelona-based Norma Peña i Bagés focuses on the tax aspects of M&A and financial transactions. Other key names include José Ramón Vizcaíno, José Azqueta, an expert in tax issues in the real estate and renewable energy sectors, and José Suárez, who leads on wealth management matters. Since publication, Felipe Alonso Fernández, Javier Povo and Antonio Ruiz joined the firm.

Spain > White-collar crime Tier 2

Pérez-Llorca‘s white-collar crime practice offers expertise in the full spectrum of corporate internal investigations, with a transnational approach designed to provide comprehensive advice on corporate crime, tax fraud, money laundering and corruption. As a criminal litigation specialist, Adriana De Buerba spearheads the firm’s internal investigations and crisis management offering, with a client portfolio that extends to the telecoms, infrastructure, security and banking sectors. Also working out of the Madrid office are Juan Palomino, an expert in corporate internal investigations with a focus on IP infringements and cyber-fraud, and associate Jorge Walser, noted for fraud and intellectual property rights offences. Counsel Mayte Requejo is a new addition, joining the firm in 2021 to bolster the team’s investigations expertise.

Spain > Industry focus: TMT Tier 3

Under the leadership of counsel Andy Ramos Gil De La Haza, a technology and intangible asset expert, Pérez-Llorca is noted for its comprehensive advice on IT and data protection matters. Supplementing this is the firm’s TechLaw initiative, combining M&A, employment, tax, litigation and antitrust experts to tackle a wide variety of technological projects. Also noted is associate Andrea Sánchez, who focuses on privacy and data protection. Raúl Rubio, an experienced figure in the field joined the firm from Deloitte Legal in January 2023.

Spain > Intellectual property: Copyright Tier 3

The intellectual property and technology department at Pérez-Llorca demonstrates its capabilities in copyright matters by offering a multidisciplinary approach covering trade secrets, distribution agreements, regulatory compliance, software development agreements and image rights. Led by technology and intangible assets expert Andy Ramos Gil De La Haza, who was promoted to the partnership in January 2022, the team’s client portfolio features multinational technology, pharmaceutical, entertainment, luxury goods and software companies. Backing these efforts is associate Andrea Sánchez, who is focused on new technologies and privacy issues. In September 2021, IP litigation specialist Eduardo Castillo joined the firm, followed by the arrival of Rais Amils in January 2022; the firm also hired Raúl Rubio from Deloitte Legal in January 2023.

Spain > Intellectual property: patents Tier 3

The intellectual property and technology practice at Pérez-Llorca combines expertise in patent litigation and transactional matters, defending the rights of clients with regard to a range of intangible assets. Such matters include patents and trade secrets, advertising, trade marks and software infrastructures. With 2021 arrival Eduardo Castillo at the helm, the team represents multinational technology, pharmaceutical, life sciences and entertainment clients. Further changes to the team included the arrival of infringement specialist counsel Álvaro de Castro in September 2021, and litigation expert Rais Amils in 2022. Raúl Rubio constitutes another significant addition to the team, joining in January 2023 from Deloitte Legal.

Spain > Transport: Other transport Tier 3

Pérez-Llorca‘s combined expertise in the aviation, transport, mobility and automotive industries makes its transport practice a popular choice for airlines and mobility, infrastructure, logistics and service companies. Key areas of work for the firm include corporate and M&A, public law and dispute resolution. Julio Lujambio leads the team, spearheading the practice’s corporate offering, while Beatriz García, a public law expert, is active in public procurement and litigation with regard to regulatory matters at a national and supranational level.

Spain > Data privacy and data protection Tier 4

Pérez-Llorca‘s IP and IT practice possesses expertise in software and technology law, covering the media, healthcare and telecoms sectors. Its key offering centres around international data transfers, the implementation of enabling mechanisms, the representation of clients before the Spanish Data Protection Agency and the management of security breaches. Counsel Andy Ramos Gil De La Haza leads the Madrid-based practice, with a practice focused on the identification, protection, transfer and acquisition of intangible assets. Associate Andrea Sánchez is another name to note, regarded for her assessment of compatibility of technologies with regulatory requirements. In January 2023, the firm hired Raúl Rubio from Deloitte Legal.

Spain > Intellectual property: Trade marks

Spain > Industry focus: Food

Spain > Industry focus: Retail