Araoz & Rueda > Madrid, Spain > Firm Profile
Araoz & Rueda Offices

PASEO DE LA CASTELLANA 164
28046 MADRID
Spain
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Araoz & Rueda > The Legal 500 Rankings
Spain > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 4
Araoz & Rueda manages a diverse range of transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, spin-offs, joint ventures, and private equity and venture capital deals, primarily within the mid-market, for clients across various sectors, from manufacturing to entertainment. Pedro Rueda is skilled at advising both sellers and buyers on M&A transactions. He jointly leads the practice with corporate law specialist Alejandro Fernández de Araoz. In February 2024, the firm enhanced its offering with the addition of Pilar París from Deloitte, who brings extensive experience in venture capital investments.Practice head(s):
Pedro Rueda; Alejandro Fernández de Araoz
Other key lawyers:
Pilar París; Laura Vintanel
Testimonials
‘Focus linked to the company’s objectives, direct and decisive treatment not only of partners but of team members. Productivity when it comes to being able to focus on cases with the savings that this entails.’
‘Experts in the sector and, above all, in the type of company that we are, which is why they adapt very well to our situations and needs.’
‘Excellent attention and response time. This helps us tremendously to carry out ongoing transactions with agility.’
‘Great human and technical quality makes it a very valuable support for us.’
‘Our relationship with Araoz & Rueda has been very good in all the matters we have dealt with them.’
‘We value very positively the personal and professional skills of the people we have worked with at the firm.’
Key clients
Boa Cultura (formerly Altafonte)
Ikos Group
Impronta Soluciones
Cognizant
Data Point Capital
Kinetic Solutions
Kore Wireless
Workplace Options
All4
VivaTicket
Julián Castro (selling shareholders)
Work highlights
- Advised Boa Cultura on the sale of 100% of Altafonte Network to Sony Music Entertainment Spain.
- Advised Charme Capital Partners on the acquisition of a minority stake in the share capital of Universae.
- Advised the shareholders owning 50% of the bus company Julián Castro on the sale of their stake in the group to Avanza.
Spain > Dispute resolution Tier 5
Offering litigation and arbitration services related to civil, corporate, and commercial disputes both domestically and internationally, Araoz & Rueda's dispute resolution practice has particular expertise in the energy sector. Eduardo de León and Ángel Freire co-lead the team and bring a wealth of experience to the group. De León specialises in domestic arbitrations arising from administrative disputes, while Freire concentrates on cross-border disputes and is adept at arbitrating before various authorities including the ICC, CCIP, and CIMA. On the corporate litigation front, Alejandro Fernández de Araoz is the main contact in the department.Practice head(s):
Eduardo de León; Ángel Freire
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The team is excellent in all its facets.’
‘They are very professional but approachable.’
‘They make the subject their own and see it through to the end.’
‘Technically excellent, very precise, and personally committed.’
‘Pedro Rueda and Eduardo De León stand out in particular.’
‘The Team is very strong.’
‘The team stands out for its ability to communicate and lower anxiety and stress levels.’
‘They produce confidence in the client that the work is of extreme high quality’
Spain > Employment Tier 5
Araoz & Rueda‘s employment practice has a robust offering which covers senior management contracts, collective and individual dismissals, as well as restructuring, disputes, and collective bargaining agreements. The team is capable of handling both domestic and cross-border employment matters and continues to attract new clients from the luxury and fashion, infrastructure, and private equity sectors. Lead partner Clara Mañoso stands out for her expertise in employment issues arising from M&A transactions, collective procedures, and representation before the labour courts.Practice head(s):
Clara Mañoso
Other key lawyers:
María Cano
Testimonials
‘They advise us on labour issues, hiring, and any other problem that may arise with employees. They are very friendly and always willing to help and advise from a very practical point of view.’
‘Clara Mañoso is great professionally and personally. A wonderful person.’
Key clients
Samyl
Sensient Essential Oils
Rimon Group
Teamwork
Mutares
Axway
Kore Wireless, Inc
Boa Cultura
Premier Research
Moneycorp
Work highlights
- Advising Rimon Group on the labour aspects arising from the acquisition of Europea de Hincas Teledirigidas, as well as certain assets of the group.
- Advising Teamwork on restructuring.
- Represented Samyl in proceedings before the Social Courts arising from a collective dismissal procedure.
Spain > Projects and energy Tier 5
The energy team at Araoz & Rueda offers deep expertise across solar and storage transactions. Regularly acting for energy distributors and operators on M&A mandates, Francisco Solchaga brings ‘real knowledge of both technical and energy sector matters and their implications in real estate, regulatory and administrative matters’. Corporate expert Laura Vintanel advises clients on transaction documents, construction and operation contracts, and regulatory issues concerning renewables projects.Practice head(s):
Francisco Solchaga; Laura Vintanel
Testimonials
‘Boutique with extensive experience in energy – lots of flexibility for partners and associates at all meetings.’
‘This is a very versatile team that is able to adapt quickly to changes, offering a good knowledge of the market and practice.’
‘The team is highly qualified and has extensive experience in advising on all types of contracts in energy projects (both M&A, technical and real estate) with a great capacity for work and rapid response.’
‘It is clear that they know the sector, relationships and legal practice well.’
‘Laura Vintanel and Maria Nieto are professionals who try to provide a global and updated view of the client’s specific situations, which helps a lot in decision making.’
‘Francisco Solchaga’s team brings great availability; real knowledge of both technical and energy sector matters and their implications in real estate, regulatory and administrative matters; and an ability to seek practical solutions to the problems that inevitably arise during the development process.’
‘Francisco Solchaga is flexible and knows how to practically apply his proposals, owing to his vast experience. Francisco is always available to adapt to the changing needs of our business and propose practical and simple solutions to resolve unforeseen events in an agile manner, with a very good, pro-deal mentality.’
Key clients
ENI Plenitude
Everwood Capital
Aurinka
Alantra Solar
Visalia/Gashogar
Mars Renewables
Circle Energy
Aurea Capital/Dosa
Taaleri Energia
Plenium Partners
Work highlights
- Advice to Eni Plenitude on the acquisition of nine PV projects with an aggregate power of 450 MW.
- Advice to Grupo Visalia on the acquisition of Grupo Serosense from Grupo Remolins.
- Advice to Alantra Desarrollo Solar on the sale of five PV projects with an aggregate capacity of 250 MW.
Spain > Real estate and construction Tier 5
Noted for its 'personalised approach and deep knowledge of the Spanish market', the real estate practice at Araoz & Rueda is well versed in sale and leaseback transactions, leasing matters, and development projects, with a special emphasis on the hospitality, retail and residential segments. Jesús Conde leads the group, specialising in restructuring, planning, and auction sales, with a focus on student accommodation and senior living.Practice head(s):
Jesús Conde
Testimonials
‘Araoz & Rueda’s real estate practice is distinguished by its personalised approach and deep knowledge of the Spanish market.’
‘What makes them unique in this area of practice is their ability to adapt to complex projects, maintaining a high level of agility and efficiency in each operation.’
‘They have the perfect combination of solid technical experience and negotiation skills. They also anticipate problems and propose innovative solutions.’
‘Compared to other firms, Araoz & Rueda stands out for its pragmatic, efficient and results-oriented approach.’
‘Direct and close collaboration with the partner of the area is one of their main assets, surpassing in this aspect other firms in which contact with the partner of the department is substantially less.’
‘His in-depth knowledge of real estate law, speed in resolving problems and personal approach are the aspects that differentiate Jesús Conde.’
‘Araoz y Rueda is synonymous with total availability and attention to the client’s needs. The dedication and effort that its professionals put in is outstanding. The partners are personally involved in the matters and know the details of each operation and each problem.’
‘The experience of the partners in the matters they advise on is exceptional, you have the confidence that you are with the best legal team possible. Professional excellence is combined with great human quality and closeness in the treatment.’
Key clients
Wing
TOCA Football
Indotek
Hesperia
Altafonte
Embassy of the United States
Michael Kors
Foundation de France
Amundi
Ralph Lauren
Gestor Spain
Castelus
Foundation Ariane De Rothschild
Spotify
Equilis
Work highlights
- Assisted Indotek with the acquisition of a hotel in Lloret de Mar.
- Assisted Ralph Lauren with the re-structuring of their leases in La Roca.
- Assisted a group of international investors with the acquisition of a residential development close to Illescas (Toledo).
Spain > Tax Tier 5
Praised for its ' mastery of the tax area', Araoz & Rueda offers 'solid and clear answers' to domestic and international companies, family offices and private clients across a wide range of tax matters, with a particular emphasis on proceedings before tax authorities and wealth management. Practice head Javier Prieto handles transactional, planning and contentious tax work. Andrés Máiz, who focuses on the investment fund and real estate sectors, and Elly Wang, who is active in non-contentious and contentious tax mandates, are also part of the core team.Practice head(s):
Javier Prieto
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Overall, we like their practical approach to tax issues, beyond technical analysis.’
‘They are very available and thorough in their questions and answers. They ensure that everyone understands each other and that each step is validated by each actor. I find them particularly well-organised and rigorous, as well as serious and available.’
‘ARAOZ & RUEDA has been pivotal in ensuring security regarding deadlines, declarations, and traceability.’
‘The difference is that they take a position and clearly state what they would do, equipping us with tools to make the best decisions.’
‘Extraordinary professionals who, with their mastery of the tax area, provide solid and clear answers. Their approachable and agile service empathises with and addresses the client’s needs.’
‘Javier Prieto demonstrates deep expertise and extensive experience. His direct and immediate contact with clients instils confidence in this complex and evolving field. He is hands-on with case studies and provides well-founded, practical answers. Andrés Maiz complements him perfectly, offering detailed, reliable, and concise advice on all tax matters.’
‘Wonderful communicators and experts in their field.’
‘Highly responsive and available. They adopt a practical and technical approach, delivering high-quality, easy-to-understand documents and memos.’
Work highlights
- Advised an insurance company on all the tax aspects derived from the disposal of a real estate assets portfolio.
- Advised an ultra-high-net-worth family in order to confirm the feasibility and applicability of the exemption for family-owned companies on wealth tax and the temporary solidarity tax on the ultra-high-net-worth individuals.
- Advised two real estate entities regarding the tax proceedings initiated by the Spanish tax authorities declaring their secondary liability for debts previous allocated to another individual.
Spain > Banking and finance Tier 6
Araoz & Rueda’s banking and finance team delivers strong capabilities across asset-backed lending, debt restructuring, and corporate and acquisition finance, with a particular focus on NPLs, REOs, and asset portfolio transactions. Department head Rafael Bazán is a key adviser to a diverse client base, including lenders, borrowers, creditors, and debtors. Beyond its transactional expertise, the team is also well positioned to advise on financial regulatory issues.Practice head(s):
Rafael Bazán
Key clients
Portik Group
Ashland Inc
Argent Foods Limited
Aleph Capital
Banque Cantonale de Genève (BCGE)
Banque De Commerce et de Placements SA (BCP)
Newcastle Building Society
BNP Paribas, S.A
Axis Bank Limited
Charme Capital Partners
Work highlights
- Advised Ashland Group on the Spanish law aspects of a European securitisation programme of credit rights initially underwritten by Bank of America and other banks.
- Advised Portik Group on the negotiation and execution of the financing agreement with Kartesia.
- Advised Capza on the novation of the financing agreement for the acquisition of Goiko Grill for an amount of €39m.
Araoz & Rueda > Firm Profile
ARAOZ & RUEDA is a leading Spanish independent firm with a broad-based corporate and commercial practice and particular expertise and market recognition in M&A and private equity. Formed in 1994, the firm was recognised early on by the specialised magazines and legal guides as an ‘M&A boutique’. Having grown in size and expanded its scope of services over time, the firm has participated in many of the most significant national and international transactions with blue-chip clients and other leading law firms and involving both listed and non-listed companies. The firm has a strong and growing international orientation with a significant base of international clients and most of its lawyers having international experience and/or education. The firm also provides legal advice in a wide range of practice areas, including:
Private equity and venture capital: The firm has broad experience in advising private equity investors and venture capital entities in a variety of sectors and for all forms of investments (shares, senior, mezzanine and participative loans, etc) and divestments.
M&A/corporate: The firm has wide experience advising in:
- Mergers and acquisitions of companies, takeover bids and purchase of assets, including the performance of these transactions in bankruptcy and pre-bankruptcy scenarios.
- Incorporation of companies and joint-venture structuring.
- Demerger, liquidation and dissolution of companies.
- MBOs, MBIs, LBO´s, BIMBO´s, etc.
Energy: The firm has a highly specialized and multidisciplinary team of lawyers with a sound understanding knowledge of the energy sector, particularly in relation to renewable energy projects where they provide clients with a comprehensive legal advice, providing practical solutions in all legal issues arising from an energy project at any stage and combining the regulatory, contractual, real estate, corporate and finance aspects.
Tax: The firm’s tax practice covers all aspects of corporate taxation and tax structuring.
Employment: The firm’s advice includes collective and individual dismissals, union-related matters, plant closings and work transfers and involves an extensive litigation practice.
Banking and finance: The firm advises financial entities as well as borrowers in a broad range of sectors and transactions, including corporate financing, structured finance, acquisition finance, project finance and real estate finance.
Litigation: In the litigation area the firm acts in all sorts of judicial proceedings in corporate and commercial matters, representing clients before courts of all levels.
Real estate: The firm has broad experience in sale and purchase agreements, transfer, lease agreements and management and administration of all kinds of real estate assets and real estate companies and advises on the financing of real estate projects and carries out related due diligence.
Regulatory and compliance: The firm helps clients manage the myriad of national, regional and local regulations affecting their industries. It also represents clients in proceedings before regulatory authorities such as the Spanish Energy Commission, the Spanish Telecommunications Commission as well as the Spanish Securities Commission.
Capital markets and securities regulation: The firm has advised various listed Spanish companies in a variety of transactions involving the securities markets.
Insolvency and restructuring: The firm has a specialisation in insolvency law and restructuring, having provided advice both in the preparation of the petition for voluntary insolvency proceedings and defence of the client’s interests during the whole processes and to the administrators appointed by the Commercial Courts. The firm also regularly advises creditors in insolvency proceedings.
Administrative: The firm advises numerous clients in a wide range of sectors (outdoor advertising, street furniture, motorways, defence, etc), evaluating the proposals of potential bidders in tenders with the Public Administration and advising on the necessary legal requirements.
Competition (antitrust): The firm advises on all aspects of competition law, including merger notifications, antitrust compliance programmes, transactional matters and co-operative agreements.
Unfair competition: The firm has made successful court claims against acts of unfair competition injurious to the interests of its clients.
Intellectual property: The firm is particularly involved in licensing, contractual and commercial exploitation of intellectual property.
National and international contracting: The firm advises in national as well as international commercial contracting in a wide range of manufacturing, distribution, purchasing, sale, licensing, installation, outsourcing, marketing, telecommunications, sponsorship, etc.
National and international arbitration: As a natural offshoot of its corporate and commercial orientation, the firm advises clients in arbitral proceedings, under the rules of both international and domestic institutions. Furthermore, partners of the firm are frequently designated as arbitrators in international arbitrations administered by the aforementioned arbitral institutions.
Clients: The firm represents foreign clients in a variety of industries, including the food and beverage, pharmaceutical, chemicals, engineering, telecommunications, media and technology, automotive, healthcare, transport and logistics and leisure industries.
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Banking and finance | Rafael Bazán | [email protected] | +34 91 566 63 53 |
Capital markets and securities regulation | Alejandro Fernández de Araoz | [email protected] | + 34 91 566 63 06 |
Competition/Unfair Competition | Ainhoa Veiga | [email protected] | + 34 91 566 63 02 |
M&A/Corporate | Pilar París | [email protected] | + 34 91 566 63 52 |
Energy | Francisco Solchaga | [email protected] | + 34 91 566 63 10 |
Insolvency/restructuring | Eduardo De León | [email protected] | + 34 91 566 63 49 |
Energy | Laura Vintanel | [email protected] | + 34 91 566 63 48 |
Litigation and arbitration | Eduardo De León | [email protected] | + 34 91 566 63 49 |
M&A/Corporate Law | Alejandro Fernández de Araoz | [email protected] | + 34 91 566 63 06 |
M&A/Corporate Law | Pedro Rueda | [email protected] | + 34 91 566 63 18 |
Employment | Clara Mañoso | [email protected] | + 34 91 566 63 31 |
Private equity/venture capital | Pedro Rueda | [email protected] | + 34 91 566 63 18 |
Real estate | Jesús Conde | [email protected] | + 34 91 566 63 38 |
Tax | Javier Prieto | [email protected] | + 34 91 566 63 03 |
IP/IT | Ainhoa Veiga | [email protected] | + 34 91 566 63 02 |
Lawyer Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
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Mr Rafael Bazán KC | Partner in the Banking & Finance Department at Araoz & Rueda since… | View Profile |
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Mr Jesús Conde KC | Partner in the Real Estate Department at Araoz & Rueda since 2016. | View Profile |
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Mrs Clara Mañoso KC | Partner in the Employment Department at Araoz & Rueda since 2021. | View Profile |
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Mr Javier Prieto KC | Javier Prieto, partner of the Tax Department at Araoz & Rueda since… | View Profile |
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Mr Francisco Solchaga KC | Partner in the Energy Department at Araoz & Rueda since 2007. | View Profile |
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Mrs Ainhoa Veiga KC | Partner in the EU/Competition Law Department at Araoz & Rueda since 2005. | View Profile |
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Mrs Laura Vintanel KC | Partner in the Energy Department at Araoz & Rueda, since 2020, she… | View Profile |
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Mr Eduardo de León KC | Partner in the Dispute Resolution and Administrative Law Department at Araoz &… | View Profile |