Herbert Smith Freehills LLP > Madrid, Spain > Firm Profile

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Spain > Dispute resolution Tier 1

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP strategically focuses on global disputes, handling arbitration and litigation matters across Latin America, the US, the Middle East, and the Asia Pacific regions, with a particular emphasis on the energy, infrastructure, construction, financial services, industrial, and real estate sectors. Its client roster features major Spanish and international corporations and sovereign states, who also turn to the team for its capabilities in alternative conflict resolution and mediation. Presiding over the practice is Eduardo Soler Tappa, who frequently appears before Spanish courts at all levels and international venues, including ICSID, UNCITRAL, and ICC Paris. Other key members include: dual-qualified Paulino Fajardo (Spain and England), who focuses on infrastructure, energy, aviation, and corporate disputes; Javier De Carvajal, who specialises in civil, company, and criminal law matters; and Jaime de San Román, who focuses on banking litigation and insolvency issues. Also recommended are Alejandra Galdos, a key point of contact for claims involving construction and engineering companies, Risteard de Paor, who has experience in defending clients from the construction, energy, environment, and transport sectors, and Miguel García-Casas, a name to note for both civil and criminal matters,

Spain > Projects and energy Tier 1

Praised for its ‘360º vision of issues‘, the team at Herbert Smith Freehills LLP is singled out for its impressive track record in M&A, dispute resolution, regulatory matters, and project finance and development within the energy sector at the national and international level. Miguel Riaño routinely advises on high-value transactions in the natural resources, energy and infrastructure spaces, while Iria Calviño is trusted by major corporations, global investment banks and equity sponsors in cross-border deals and regulatory matters involving the renewable segment. With extensive expertise in energy transition issues, Miguel Fraga is noted for his proficiency in M&A and project development, while Esther Lumbreras focuses on public law contentious matters. Ignacio Paz and Beatriz Plaza are no longer at the firm. Sergio Cires, who focuses on project and corporate finance, joined from Jones Day in January 2024.

Spain > Environment Tier 2

Showcasing particular strength in high-stakes projects and transactions within the infrastructure, mining, and energy sectors, Herbert Smith Freehills LLP advises on the entire spectrum of environmental matters. Major companies, funds and public entities also turn to the team for assistance with environmental permits, licensing issues and litigation. Iria Calviño leads the group’s ESG initiative, advising on decarbonisation and climate change issues. Former State Attorney General at the Secretariat of State for Energy José Ramón Mourenza is another name to note for decarbonisation, climate change regulation and environmental impact assessments. Esther Lumbreras adeptly handles a spread of environmental matters, from M&A transactions, to litigation proceedings.

Spain > Insurance Tier 2

The ‘brilliant team' at Herbert Smith Freehills LLP attracts instructions from insurers, reinsurers, financial institutions and companies from the infrastructure and construction sectors. Noted for its strong capabilities in arbitration proceedings, the practice is especially well placed to handle complex contentious matters with international components, drawing on the firm's global footprint. Paulino Fajardo is a key contact for corporate policyholders seeking assistance with complex insurance and reinsurance litigation, often of a multijurisdictional nature. Recently promoted partner Alejandra Galdos is recommended for her work in the energy and construction spheres, advising clients on contentious and advisory matters.

Spain > Banking and finance Tier 3

Standing out for its multijurisdictional capabilities, Herbert Smith Freehills LLP is home to a ‘very responsive and proactive‘ finance team, which has recently been especially active in acquisition finance, refinancings, debt restructuring, and infrastructure and energy-related deals. With the ability to advise on both Spanish and English law, the group is routinely instructed by domestic and international banks, debt funds, corporates, investment funds and private equity funds, who also rely on the firm for advice on financial services regulatory matters. ‘Synonymous with quality and professionalism‘, Armando García-Mendoza oversees the Spanish finance practice. Noted for her extensive experience in distressed matters, recently promoted partner Beatriz del Rey is a name to note for loan portfolio transactions. Carmen Jara focuses on acquisition finance, restructuring, real estate and project finance, while dual-qualified Leonie Timmers leads the English law finance group in Madrid, regularly cooperating with the firm’s London office. Sergio Cires, who focuses on project and corporate finance, joined from Jones Day in January 2024.

Spain > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 3

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP fields an ‘exemplary‘ corporate and M&A group that is skilled in the gamut of transactional, commercial and corporate governance matters. Clients operating in a range of industries, such as TMT, energy, pharmaceuticals, real estate, and consumer goods, routinely seek the team’s advice on public and private M&A, corporate restructuring and joint ventures. Following the departure of former practice head Pablo García-Nieto in May 2023, the department is now led by Alberto Frasquet, a name to note for investment banks, private equity firms, and Spanish and international corporations. Senior partner Nicolás Martín is devoted to M&A, tax and PE matters.

Spain > EU and competition Tier 3

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP is regularly called upon to assist with merger control, cartel and antitrust investigations, as well as compliance issues. Benefitting from strong links to several of the firm's European offices, the team is adept in multijurisdictional cases, including litigation and appellate work. Henar González Durántez concentrates on dawn raids, cartels and antitrust investigations, often acting for clients operating in key regulated industries, including telecoms and digital markets. Pilar Carrasco has extensive experience assisting with investigations of abusive practices within the retail, transport and energy spaces.

Spain > Industry focus: Healthcare and life sciences Tier 3

Spain > Private equity Tier 3

Investors, sponsors, sellers, financiers and managers regularly turn to Herbert Smith Freehills LLP for assistance with private equity transactions, including distressed deals. Bringing together PE, finance, infrastructure, energy and real estate practitioners, the team is a popular choice for funds investing in the TMT, healthcare, education, retail, energy and manufacturing sectors in Spain. Alberto Frasquet is at the helm of the practice, where PE and tax specialist Nicolás Martín and structured finance expert Armando García-Mendoza are other names to note for international and domestic PE houses.

Spain > Public law Tier 3

The public law practice at Herbert Smith Freehills LLP offers advice on the full spectrum of public law matters, including public procurement, administrative proceedings, subsidies, and litigation, demonstrating particular strength in the energy, natural resources, environment, and infrastructure sectors. Department head Iria Calviño advises major corporations, international investment banks, equity sponsors, and public entities in domestic and cross-border transactions within regulated sectors. Miguel Riaño‘s expertise covers acquisitions, public tenders, project finance, and privatisations. Energy sector specialist José Ramón Mourenza also offers key support in public law mandates.

Spain > Real estate and construction Tier 3

Offering advice on a variety of real estate matters, including acquisitions, joint ventures, disposals, financings, construction contracts and project development, Herbert Smith Freehills LLP stands out for its ‘dedication’, ‘commercial approach’ and ‘great knowledge of the subject’. Tomás Díaz Mielenhausen has extensive experience handling corporate real estate transactions. Álvaro Gross and Alejandra Romero are sought out by domestic and international clients for their extensive experience in real estate portfolio deals involving shopping centres, offices, logistic warehouses and hotels.

Spain > Restructuring and insolvency Tier 3

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP fields an ‘outstanding and highly technical‘ restructuring and insolvency team that advises on a range of issues, including corporate and debt restructuring, acquisition of distressed debt, disposals, dispute resolution, and insolvency proceedings. The client roster comprises international corporates, financial institutions, and financial investors looking to expand into the Spanish market. The team is co-led by the ‘exceptional‘ Javier De Carvajal, who is ‘very technical' but possesses 'a great commercial vision’; Nicolás Martín, an expert in bankruptcy law; and Armando García-Mendoza, who focuses on debt refinancing and corporate restructuring. Associate Marta Rey is also noted for her experience in restructuring and insolvency matters ‘from both a commercial and legal point of view‘.

Spain > Tax Tier 5

With strong levels of expertise in tax issues relating to corporate matters, the tax practice at Herbert Smith Freehills LLP is well placed to assist with domestic and international tax planning, and the tax aspects of M&A deals and corporate restructurings. Counsel Marta Esteban leads the practice and offers an array of clients, including major names from the private equity, real estate and financial services sectors, particular expertise in the tax structuring of investments and financial transactions. Nicolás Martín is another key name within the practice, with significant experience in corporate deals, private equity and restructurings.