The Legal 500

Spain

Banking and finance

Banking and finance - ranked: tier 1

J&A Garrigues SLP

In addition to financings, J&A Garrigues SLP handles regulatory work, with particular expertise in fintech matters. Other work included advising Fluidra on the refinancing of debt in connection with its merger with the Zodiac group, which included the granting of a revolving credit facility and an asset-based loan. The group also assisted Farmafactoring España with the granting of a European Investment Bank (EIB) guarantee line to cover the credit risk in a supply chain finance programme to facilitate financings granted to Spanish SMEs. The eight-partner team includes Luis de la Peña, Gonzalo Rivera, José Miguel Pinillos and Gaspar Atienza. Senior associates Jon Goirigolzarri and Xabier Valle are standout lawyers of the next generation.

Next Generation Partners

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Capital markets: Debt

Capital markets: Debt - ranked: tier 1

J&A Garrigues SLP

J&A Garrigues SLP is highly rated for handling high-yield operations and securitisation transactions. For example, it advised Grupo Cortefiel on the first high-yield issuance of €600m. Another highlight was assisting BBVA with the sale of $1bn preferred tier 1 securities in the US market, as well as with other issues and sales of securities. Gonzálo García-Fuertes is recommended along with team co-leaders Álvaro López-Jorrín and Mónica Martín.

Leading individuals

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Capital markets: Equity

Capital markets: Equity - ranked: tier 1

J&A Garrigues SLP

J&A Garrigues SLP advised clients such as Galil Capital, Greenalia and Kingbook Inversiones on their IPOs on the MAB. It also handled several voluntary tender offers, for example advising CriteriaCaixa as main shareholder of Abertis on two tender offers over the latter's shares, and assisting Saeta Yield with the tender offer launched by Terraform. Álvaro López-Jorrín and Mónica Martín co-lead the team, which also includes managing partner Fernando Vives, José Luis Palao and Gonzálo García-Fuertes.

Leading individuals

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Commercial, corporate and M&A

Commercial, corporate and M&A - ranked: tier 1

J&A Garrigues SLP

'Combining technical knowledge with a practical approach', the 'experienced' team at J&A Garrigues SLP includes leading lawyers Mónica Martín (who is 'always available'), Álvaro López-Jorrín and managing partner Fernando Vives ('proactive and practical'). On the seller side, it advised Telefónica on the sale of a 40% stake in its telecom masts subsidiary Telxius to private equity firm KKR, and acted for Samsung on the sale of its printers and operations business to HP. A recent merger highlight was assisting Iberdrola Energía on the combination of Elektro Holding (which is controlled by the client) and Neoenergia.

Leading individuals

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Dispute resolution

Dispute resolution - ranked: tier 1

J&A Garrigues SLP

J&A Garrigues SLP specialises in civil, contractual and commercial litigation, as well as multi-jurisdictional disputes. Joseph Tirando leads the team with Carlos de los Santos, who is particularly experienced in cross-border litigation and arbitration and has a focus on Latin America. Also notable is Eduardo Santamaría Moral, who specialises in litigation related to professional sports. Key clients include BBVA, Carrefour, Kia Motors, Iberia and Aegon.

Leading individuals

Next Generation Partners

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EU and competition

EU and competition - ranked: tier 1

J&A Garrigues SLP

Marcos Araujo leads the 'extremely responsive, practical-minded and technically knowledgeable' team at J&A Garrigues SLP. The practice specialises in complex national and multi-jurisdictional merger filings and is particularly active in litigation before the EU Courts. The team includes the experienced Luis Ortiz Blanco, who is an expert in infringement proceedings and litigation, and specialist in complex merger proceedings Susana Cabrera. The firm is representing hotel group Meliá Hotels in an investigation regarding hotel accommodation agreements concluded between Meliá and European tour operators, as well as assisting Google and its parent company Alphabet with issues relating to the European Commission's decision regarding the licensing of its mobile operating system.

Leading individuals

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Employment

Employment - ranked: tier 1

J&A Garrigues SLP

Rosa Zarza leads the department at J&A Garrigues SLP, which can call on the experienced Vicente Calle, Rafael Ortiz and counsel Eva Diez-Ordás; Diez-Ordás' expertise includes collective bargaining agreements and employment litigation. The team has particular experience in complex restructuring transactions and advising on the design and implementation of voluntary termination plans for clients that include Banco de Santander, BMW, El Corte Inglés and JP Morgan. The firm has also worked in innovative areas to do with robotisation and artificial intelligence, as well as handling collective bargaining agreements for Generali.

Leading individuals

Next Generation Partners

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Environment

Environment - ranked: tier 2

J&A Garrigues SLP

The multi-disciplinary team at J&A Garrigues SLP 'has extensive knowledge of environmental matters and proceedings', specialising in cross-border matters that combine the areas of engineering, science and economy. Public law expert Alfredo Fernández Rancaño leads the team with counsel Luis González García, who has particular experience in energy efficiency and renewable energy. Javier Fernández Rivaya, whose focus is on administrative and planning aspects related to the environmental sector, was recently promoted to partner. The practice is advising Reciclados Ribera del Xuquer on obtaining the integrated environmental authorisation for an inert minerals deposit and the implementation of a waste landfill. In another recent highlight, it is assisting Alfanar with the purchase and administrative authorisations of several wind farm projects. Other key clients include Mercadona, Solaria Energía y Medio Ambiente and Villar Mir Energía.

Leading individuals

Next Generation Partners

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Industry focus: Food

Industry focus: Food - ranked: tier 1

J&A Garrigues SLP

J&A Garrigues SLP has 'deep technical and negotiation skills, as well as very good knowledge of the industry'. The practice is led by Mónica Martín de Vidales and Àlvaro López-Jorrín, who provide 'quick and accurate responses'. The team specialises in M&A work related to the food industry and, in a recent highlight, advised Scandia Food, a Romania-based company that markets meat products, on the acquisition of Spanish company Thenaisie Provote. The firm also assisted Royal De Heus, an animal nutrition company, with acquiring Piensos Unzué.

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Industry focus: Healthcare and life sciences

Industry focus: Healthcare and life sciences - ranked: tier 2

J&A Garrigues SLP

The ‘excellent and proactive’ team at J&A Garrigues SLP stands out for its ‘technical skills and great knowledge of the pharmaceutical sector’, particularly in multi-disciplinary matters. The practice is known for its ‘teamwork, ambition and high standards’, and is led by regulatory and M&A expert José Fernández-Rañada and Carolina Pina, who focuses on intellectual property issues. In recent highlights, the department is advising Casta Salud on the acquisition of Sando Gestión Social, and representing the Talladium Group in a patent infringement lawsuit brought by Universal Ball Head.

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Industry focus: Manufacturing

Industry focus: Manufacturing - ranked: tier 1

J&A Garrigues SLP

The multi-disciplinary team at J&A Garrigues SLP is led by corporate and commercial specialists Mónica Martín de Vidales and Àlvaro López-Jorrín. Also notable is M&A expert Ramón Girbau. The firm advised the Würth group on the acquisition of a Spanish logistics and distribution group of companies, and assisted KIA with a joint collaboration agreement with Repsol, relating to the development of car-sharing activities in Madrid. Other key clients include L’Oréal and Fluidra.

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Industry focus: Retail

Industry focus: Retail - ranked: tier 1

J&A Garrigues SLP

The multi-disciplinary team at J&A Garrigues SLP has notable strength handling a variety of issues arising from the retail sector. Corporate specialist Àlvaro López-Jorrín jointly leads the practice with corporate and commercial expert Mónica Martín de Vidales, who focuses on commercial contracts and has experience in retail-related M&A deals.

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Industry focus: TMT

Industry focus: TMT - ranked: tier 1

J&A Garrigues SLP

The ‘very international team’ at J&A Garrigues SLP has ‘in-depth knowledge of the market and all relevant legal issues’, in the telecoms and media sector. The firm also has experience in the areas of data protection and privacy, as well as start-ups and open innovation. Its strength in open innovation was further bolstered by the arrival of counsel Alejandro Sánchez del Campo from Telefonica in 2018. The practice of ‘top-notch experts’ is jointly led by ‘internationally-minded’ technology specialist José Ramón Morales; Carolina Pina Sanchez, who has ‘unparalleled experience in complex copyright and media litigation’; Javier Marzo, who focuses on telecoms and media; and counsel Alejandro Padín, who is particularly experienced in data protection matters. The department assisted Tencent Games with local regulatory issues relating to mobile gaming, and advised Across The Pond Media on the sale of the audiovisual rights for Across The Pond TV. Other clients include Google, Ericsson and Enel X. Manel Bueno left to become director of business and legal affairs at Netflix.

Leading individuals

Next Generation Partners

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Insurance

Insurance - ranked: tier 1

J&A Garrigues SLP

J&A Garrigues SLP covers the spectrum of work in the insurance sector, particularly specialising in bancassurance joint ventures. The practice is led by corporate expert Àlvaro López-Jorrín and Mónica Martín de Vidales, who has particular experience in M&A-related matters. Also notable are experienced principal associate Félix Ferreño and senior associate Luis Covarrubias. The team is advising Asnef on the legislative process of the insurance distribution directive in Spain. Other key clients include Allianz, Generali, Zurich and Barclays.

Leading individuals

Next Generation Partners

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Intellectual property: Copyright

Intellectual property: Copyright - ranked: tier 1

Garrigues

At Garrigues, João Miranda de Sousa and Carolina Pina lead the team. The team acts for clients in the technology and media sectors, as well as multi-national financial services companies.Antonio Muñoz and Cristina Mesa are also recommended.

Leading individuals

Next Generation Partners

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Intellectual property: Trade marks

Intellectual property: Trade marks - ranked: tier 2

Garrigues

Garrigues manages the trade mark portfolios for a variety of well-known international and domestic clients. Recent work includes handling trade mark infringement and unfair competition cases, as well as anti-counterfeiting matters and assisting clients with IP protection and enforcement strategy at an international level. Carolina Pina and João Miranda de Sousa jointly head the practice. Isabel Pascual de Quinto and Cristina Mesa have been promoted to principal associate.

Leading individuals

Next Generation Partners

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Intellectual property: patents

Intellectual property: patents - ranked: tier 1

Garrigues

Garrigues is currently representing the Talladium Group, a dental products manufacturer, in a dispute pertaining to a complex patent infringement brought by its competitor Universal Ball Head; senior associate Cintia Bernhardt is leading the advice. Carolina Pina and João Miranda de Sousa jointly head the team. Enrique Grande and Mónica Arizti are also noted. Isabel Pascual de Quinto has been promoted to principal associate.

Leading individuals

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Private equity

Private equity - ranked: tier 1

J&A Garrigues SLP

J&A Garrigues SLP handles venture capital and private equity deals as well as fund formation matters. Recent deals include assisting The Carlyle Group with the sale of data centre Itconic and its subsidiary CloudMas Iberica to Equinix, and advising ProA Capital on the sale of a majority stake in Suanfarma to Intermediate Capital Group. José María Gil-Robles and José Manuel Martín co-lead the team, which also includes Álvaro López-Jorrín, Fernando Vives, María Fernández-Picazo, Victor Chiquero and principal associate Félix Ferreño.

Leading individuals

Next Generation Partners

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Projects and energy

Projects and energy - ranked: tier 1

J&A Garrigues SLP

J&A Garrigues SLP specialises in project finance, particularly in cross-border matters. In the energy sector, the firm is experienced in arbitration proceedings and providing innovative advice on renewables. Mónica Martín de Vidales and Àlvaro López-Jorrín lead the practice, which includes Marcos Botella, who focuses on corporate, commercial and financial law. Also notable in the multi-disciplinary team is senior associate Marta Clemente, and principal associates Jon Goirigolzarri and Xabier Urtiaga. The department advised Aucom on the refinancing of a project granted to Autoestrada Costa da Morte Sociedade Concesionaria da Xunta de Galicia, the company responsible for the construction and operation of the Costa da Morte toll road in Galicia. In another recent highlight, the team assisted Jenner Renewables with the acquisition of a majority interest in a Chilean company that owns a number of photovoltaic projects. Other key clients include Vela Energy, Enagas and Enel Green Power.

Leading individuals

Next Generation Partners

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Public law

Public law - ranked: tier 1

J&A Garrigues SLP

Under the leadership of Alfredo Rancaño, J&A Garrigues SLP 'efficiently' provides the full range of public law advice. Highlights included assisting the European Union Intellectual Property Office with the construction of new buildings, and representing Iberdrola Generación in administrative proceedings concerning nuclear energy production. It also handles work abroad; the team advised Financiera de Desarrollo Nacional on the first metro line of the city of Bogotá, Colombia. Miguel Del Río, Javier De Armas, David Guedón and recently made-up partner Javier Fernández Rivaya are recommended.

Leading individuals

Next Generation Partners

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Real estate and construction

Real estate and construction - ranked: tier 1

Garrigues

Jointly led by Felipe Yannone and Oscar de Santiago, Garrigues' practice handles premium real estate deals in Spain. de Santiago and Juan Jose Berdullas are advising Blackstone on its €30bn acquisition of real estate assets from Banco Popular. Héctor Muñoz, Jorge García-Pellicer and senior associate  Estefanía Iceta are also noted.

Leading individuals

Next Generation Partners

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Restructuring and insolvency

Restructuring and insolvency - ranked: tier 1

J&A Garrigues SLP

J&A Garrigues SLP provides 'rapid responses to complex questions'. Traditionally acting on the debtor side, it assisted Aeropistas with its insolvency and advised Marme Inversiones 2007 on its liquidation procedure within the formal insolvency proceedings. Lender-side clients include BBVA, Santander and several funds. Adrián Thery, Juan Verdugo García and Borja García-Alamán co-lead the practice and principal associate Juan Jiménez is recommended.

Leading individuals

Next Generation Partners

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Tax

Tax - ranked: tier 1

J&A Garrigues SLP

Working primarily for multinationals, J&A Garrigues SLP specialises in transactional tax issues. Practice head Eduardo Abad has expertise in the taxation and regulation of financial entities, as well as accounting law. His team includes restructuring and litigation expert Ricardo Gómez. The firm is advising Blackstone on tax matters arising from its joint venture with Banco Santander for the acquisition of the real estate business of Banco Popular. The department is also assisting CaixaBank with its deal to transfer 80% of its real estate business to Lone Star. Other key clients include Zurich Insurance, Carrefour and Vodafone.

Leading individuals

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Transport: Shipping

Transport: Shipping - ranked: tier 3

J&A Garrigues SLP

J&A Garrigues SLP acts for clients such as Iberconsa and Freiremar. Las Palmas-based Manuel Betancor advised another key client, Naviera Armas, on the collision of the Volcán de Tamasite vessel with the seawall of the port. Madrid-based counsel Jesus Barbadillo is another name to note.

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White-collar crime

White-collar crime - ranked: tier 2

J&A Garrigues SLP

J&A Garrigues SLP has expanded its practice in recent years and now includes two partners and one of counsel, some of whom are former public prosecutors. Gabriel Castro handles criminal litigation, Helena Prieto regularly conducts internal investigations, and of counsel Eduardo Torres-Dulce covers both areas as well as compliance. Recent work includes representing the auditor Francisco Celma of Deloitte, who had approved the accounts, in separate investigative proceedings regarding Banco de Valencia's and Bankia's bankruptcies.

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