KPMG Abogados, Spain > BARCELONA, Spain > Firm Profile
KPMG Abogados, Spain Offices
Torre Realia
Placa Europa, 41 - 43 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat
BARCELONA
Spain
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KPMG Abogados, Spain > The Legal 500 Rankings
Spain > Tax: The Big Four Tier 1
Alberto Estrelles heads the Spanish tax department at KPMG Abogados, Spain, which is particularly known for its dexterity handling tax audits, litigation and controversy projects. Víctor Mendoza, who heads the financial services tax practice in Spain, and skilled tax litigator Julio Cesar García, who has a solid track record acting in tax disputes before EU and national courts, are other names to note. Recent work highlights include representing the Spanish Banking Association in an appeal submitted against the Autonomous Community of Catalonia’s Tax on Empty Dwellings.Practice head(s):
Alberto Estrelles
Other key lawyers:
Víctor Mendoza; Julio César García
Key clients
Asociación Española de Banca
Macquarie Funds
Imperial Brands PLC
Globalvia Group
Blue Yonder
Amitra Capital
Iberostar Group
EUROLOG CANOLA SOCIMI, S.A. (Patrizia)
Aleatica
Work highlights
- Acting on behalf of the Spanish Banking Association in Supreme Court proceedings challenging a judgment issued on 17 December 2019 rejecting the appeal submitted against the Autonomous Community of Catalonia’s Tax on Empty Dwellings.
- Advised Macquaire on the tax and accounting issues associated with the purchase of a 40% stake in Spanish utility company Viesgo from Wren House (Kuwait SWF).
- Advised Imperial Brands on tax issues arising from the $1.12bn sale of Premium Cigar RoW to Allied Cigar Corporation.
Spain > Employment Tier 4
KPMG Abogados, Spain's employment group has acted in a number of collective redundancies since the pandemic hit, and assists clients with all related labour and human resources issues, as well as restructurings and M&A. Francisco Fernández Díez and Francisco Javier Hervas Martinez co-lead the team, while Beatriz Ruiz Vela and Eduardo Martinez Perez are experienced figures in the court room on labour matters.Practice head(s):
Francisco Javier Hervas Martínez; Francisco Fernández Díez
Other key lawyers:
Beatriz Ruiz Vela; Eduardo Martinez Perez; Ramón Mouriño Avendaño; Cristina Jurado
Testimonials
‘Trust and reliability.’
‘Knowledge, availability and results – Beatriz Ruiz Vela, Cristina Jurado.’
‘The KPMG team we work with is highly qualified and is involved from the beginning in the process.’
‘Empathy, knowledge of the case and collaboration It is worth highlighting Eduardo Martinez and Cristina Jurado.’
‘Good professionals, empathic, know how to manage the different actors in the process. Knowledge of the subject. Productivity, go the extra mile.’
‘Human quality of the team. Knowing how to be in the different forums. Management of the different actors, speed of response. Francisco Fernández and Ramón Mouriño.’
Key clients
Ferrovial Servicios
Coca-Cola European Partners Iberia (CCEP Iberia)
Acerinox
ICCS – Integrated Call Centre Services
Econocom Group
Vocento
Telefonica de España
Segurcaixa Adeslas y Adeslas Salud
Grupo Gonzalez-Byass
Santander
Work highlights
- Advised Acerinox on trade union negotiations for the implementation of a large-scale collective redundancy involving the dismissal of more than 200 employees.
- Assisting Coca-Cola European Partners Iberia with the design of a strategy to respond to the pandemic, and the definition of a strategic model of labour relationships.
- Assisting Ferrovial on the full range of employment law matters arising from M&A transactions.
Spain > Insurance Tier 4
KPMG Abogados, Spain has a multi-disciplinary insurance practice, which allows it to handle a range of tax, regulatory, corporate and commercial matters. With traditional strength in financial services regulation, the firm counts major financial institutions among its clients. Financial regulation expert Pilar Galán Gavilá has taken a leading role on many of the department’s recent mandates; Francisco Uría Fernández and Víctor Mendoza-Aguado are also key contacts.Practice head(s):
Francisco Uría Fernández; Beatriz Rúa; Víctor Mendoza-Aguado; Javier Bau Cabestany
Other key lawyers:
Pilar Galán Gavilá; Irene Cao Ruiz; Bartolomé Martín; Pablo Alonso Montes; Anna Bayarri Ruiz; Manuel Rodríguez Ortega
Testimonials
‘I’d highlight its knowledge of the client and subject, and transversality with other areas of law’
‘KPMG provides specific knowledge of the insurance sector.’
‘They are very flexible teams that adapt very well to needs and understand them very well. I would highlight Irene Cao Ruiz and Víctor Mendoza.’
Key clients
SANTANDER MEDIACIÓN OPERADOR DE BANCA-SEGUROS VINCULADO, S.A
ASISTÈNCIA SANITÀRIA COLEGIAL, SA DE SEGUROS
SANTANDER CONSUMER MEDIACIÓN OPERADOR DE BANCA SEGUROS VINCULADO, S.L.
Work highlights
- Advised Santander Mediación on all regulatory and legal issues arising from its activity, including the implementation of the Insurance Distribution Directive and other relevant regulations.
- Assisting health insurance company Asisténcia Sanitária with the implementation of the EU’s Insurance Distribution Directive following its transposition into Spanish law.
- Advising Santander Consumer on the implementation of the EU’s Insurance Distribution Directive.
Spain > Public law Tier 4
KPMG Abogados, Spain covers public procurement as well as administrative and contentious-administrative proceedings. The department has good expertise in the infrastructure, energy, transport and telecoms sectors. However, in a significant development in December 2021, key lawyers Borja Carvajal and Pedro Soto left the firm.Testimonials
‘In depth knowledge of Spanish public law issues facing corporates. Great knowledge of concessions and regulations. Great response time to client requests.’
‘KPMG’s global team is highly functional both internally and in its organic relationship with the client.’
Key clients
PRESTIGE & LIMOUSINE
CABIFY (MAXI MOBILITY SAPIN)
MOVO
REAL MADRID CLUB DE FÚTBOL
TEATROS LUCHANA
ALANTRA
ASOCIACIÓN DE CLUBES DE BALONCESTO (ACB)
XUNTA DE GALICIA
VIVENIO RESIDENCIAL SOCIMI
Spain > Restructuring and insolvency Tier 4
KPMG Abogados, Spain has a ‘technically brilliant' restructuring and insolvency team, which is regarded as ‘very proactive and with continuous innovative solutions to complex situations'. The real estate, industrial, retail and financial sectors are where the team is most experienced, and its practitioners are regularly appointed by the court as insolvency counsel in major domestic cases. Insolvency expert Beatriz Rua heads the practice.Practice head(s):
Beatriz Rúa
Other key lawyers:
Javier Zuloaga; Cruz Amado; Vicente Giner; Pedro Suarez
Testimonials
‘Very balanced team with great technical solvency, very proactive and with continuous innovative solutions to complex situations. Additionally, a lot of client service with continuous feedback on the various situations of the processes.’
‘For us Vicente Giner is the one who makes the difference in this technically brilliant team, with an outstanding command of the law, very multidisciplinary and with a great deal of ingenuity to find solutions that are not obvious for complex situations such as those that are we have commissioned in recent years. The rest of the team, led by member Beatriz Rua, complements the practice very well and they are frankly good as a team.’
‘Deep knowledge of the subject. Empathy and closeness.’
Key clients
Kast International Spain
Bimeda Holdings
Eurona Wireless Telecom
Copisa Constructora Pirenaica
Sacyr Fluor
Sacyr Industrial
Concesiones Hércules
Sociedad Alavesa de Inversiones
Martinsa-Fadesa
Hanjin Spain
Santander Investment
Grupo MRF Cartuja
Niza Cars
Aditel
Urbem
Fundición y Siderurgia
Promotora Vascoasturiana do Para
Work highlights
- Acting as court appointed insolvency trustee of Eurona Wireless Telecom.
- Assisting clothing retailer Kast International with insolvency proceedings.
- Advising construction and infrastructure company Copisa on bankruptcy proceedings filed in Romania for its subsidiary Copisa Constructii.
Spain > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 5
Often active in cross-border deals, KPMG Abogados, Spain supports its clients through an array of disposals, acquisitions, joint ventures, corporate governance matters and share capital increase transactions. Eneko Belausteguigoitia Mateache leads the team, which possesses a notable track record in several different industries, such as media, retail, industrial and infrastructure.Practice head(s):
Eneko Belausteguigoitia Mateache
Other key lawyers:
Rafael Aguilar; Luis Gómez; Javier Bau
Testimonials
‘Flexibility and dedication.’
‘Javier Bau. Dedication, perseverance, service and knowledge’
‘Great team, very solid and reliable, with extensive knowledge of the subject and relevant experience that allows us to offer clients solutions to the different challenges that arise.’
‘Rafael Aguilar, always ready to serve the client at any time and situation offering comfort and imaginative solutions.’
Key clients
COMSA Corporación de Infraestructuras, S.L.
Luarmia, S.L.
Healthcare Activos Yield Growth, S.L.U.
Telefónica Cybersecurity Tech, S.L.
Wasserman Group
Kuwait Petroleum Spain, S.L.
Repsol Nuevas Energías, S.A,
Mabena & Business, S.L.
Terrats Group, S.L.
Hitachi High-Tech Corporation
Work highlights
- Assisted leading infrastructure firm COMSA Corporación de Infraestructuras with the sale of 100% of its subsidiary ADASA Sistemas to German investment fund SKion.
- Acted on behalf of Luarmia, a leader in IVF services with 40 clinics across Europe and Latin America, on the €430m sale of a majority stake Eugin Group, of which Luarmia is part.
- Acted as the sole legal advisor of Healthcare Activos Yield Growth in its acquisition of the entire share capital of Maquavit Inmuebles and, indirectly, a 50% stake in Maquavit’s subsidiary Provitae Servicios Asistenciales.
Spain > Banking and finance Tier 6
KPMG Abogados, Spain is praised for its ‘magnificent knowledge of regulation', one of the specialist areas for its banking and finance practice, along with asset finance in the shipping and aviation sectors. Practice head Francisco Uría Fernández is a regulatory expert in banking, capital markets and insurance, while Pilar Galán Gavilá and Alfonso González Espejo are also key names for financial regulation. Luis Fernández Santos is the team’s foremost specialist in structured asset and infrastructure finance.Practice head(s):
Francisco Uría Fernández
Other key lawyers:
Pilar Galán Gavilá; Alfonso González Espejo; Luis Fernández Santos
Testimonials
‘Great knowledge of the sector.’
‘In my opinion, Francisco Uría stands out, for his global knowledge, Pilar Galán, for her technical rigor and knowledge, but above all, for her listening skills and respectful and prudent attitude (in the sense of pointing out all the possible pros and cons of what analyzed, not saying what she thinks the client wants to hear or the fixed idea that the firm may have); with Pilar, her entire team, who have a similar attitude.’
‘It is a well-coordinated team that, in general, knows how to listen. When doubts arise that may be the domain of other partners, they are quickly transferred and they offer answers or coordinate meetings.’
‘Knowledge of regulation in financial and banking matters and also the practical sense for its application.’
‘In my opinion Francisco Uría has the best legal knowledge of the financial sector as a whole.’
‘Ease of access to them, practical sense of their analysis and deep knowledge of the subject. In our case we work with Alfonso González Espejo and Francisco Uría.’
‘It is an office that is always up to date with regard to the latest regulations in banking and financial matters and we use them to set criteria, with respect to internal opinion, in the projects for the implementation of regulations in our organization.’
‘Magnificent knowledge of regulation and a practical vision for its application in organizations as large as ours can be.’
Key clients
Santander Consumer Finance
Banco Santander
FCE Bank
Lloyd’s Insurance Company
Cecabank
Equifax Ibérica
CaixaBank
Credit Suisse
Banco Cooperativo Español
United Europhil, Entidad de Pagos
Patrizia Eurolog
Work highlights
- Acting for Santander Consumer Finance in the renegotiation and repapering of the derivative agreements and collaterals of the entity and subsidiaries.
- Advised investment manager Patrizia Eurolog on a syndicated loan of €402.6m financing its acquisition of a portfolio of real estate assets in Spain and other jurisdictions.
- Assisting CaixaBank and other financial entities with group restructurings necessary due to Brexit and providing assessments of the latter’s regulatory implications.
Spain > Real estate and construction
Spain > Transport: Shipping
Lawyer Profiles
| Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Carlos Heredia Tapia | Partner in charge of the Corporate Tax and International Tax Services of… | View Profile |
|
| Elisenda Monforte | Partner | View Profile |
Interviews
Francisco Uria, Global Head of Banking & Capital Markets at KPMG
KPMG abogados is on the threshold of a new era in which our professionals will form part of multidisciplinary teams offering our clients solutions to complex problems, sharing tools and platforms with them in order to make our communications easier and more secure. Being multidisciplinary, global and IT-evolved is our key strategy.What do you see as the main points that differentiate kpmg abogados from your competitors?
“KPMG-abogados” is different from other law firms as we are part of a global, multidisciplinary services firm such as KPMG. This gives us the possibility to work with many other advisory and audit professionals who contribute relevant expertise in different fields, and the capability to use the most advanced technology.
As a legal firm within the “Big Four” we have brought on board many highly-ranked professionals from the different and most prestigious lawyers´ rankings (Chambers, Legal500, Best Lawyers, IFRL1000, etc.). This combination of quality, multidisciplinary approach and being highly IT-based is quite unique.
Which practices do you see growing in the next 12 months? What are the drivers behind that?
The Spanish economy is recovering quite rapidly from the last crisis, with growth and employment showing a very positive trend in recent years. This has attracted additional interest in our economy from global investors. Areas related to M&A and transactions (including real estate) are the beneficiaries of this drive. I would also add that legal activity concerning regulatory implementation, especially in the financial sector (MIFID II, GDPR, PSD2 or PRIIPS), remains strong.
The activity surrounding Brexit has also been growing in recent months, with UK-based companies seeking different location alternatives, and Spanish companies established or with relevant activity in the UK wanting to gain a better understanding of the potential situations they are going to face in the coming years.
What’s the main change you’ve made in the firm that will benefit clients?
One of the effects of the last crisis has been clients’ sensitivity to costs. This is something that it is not going to change (at least dramatically) in the near future, so we have to adapt to a situation in which prices are going to be low compared with traditional standards.
We need to be more efficient in order to be able to provide high quality legal services at a moderate cost while also protecting our profitability and ensuring proper remuneration for our professionals. There is no doubt that technology is the only way to make this happen.
Is technology changing the way you interact with your clients, and the services you can provide them?
The change is already here. We are working to offer our clients shared tools and platforms in order to make our combined work more efficient and more secure. We are investing heavily in making this a reality for our clients.
Can you give us a practical example of how you have helped a client to add value to their business?
We prefer not to talk about individual clients or proposals but, generally speaking, I think that in the main regulatory implementation projects in which we have being participating over the last two years (MIFID II, GDPR, PSD2, PRIIPS or IDD) we have been able to help our clients in their strategic reflection, providing legal advice on the interpretation of new rules and helping them to effectively change their internal governance, systems and processes using a multidisciplinary team of lawyers and advisors.
I think those projects are a good illustration of the kind of complex projects we are equipped to deal with.
Are clients looking for stability and strategic direction from their law firms – where do you see the firm in three years’ time?
In nearly all kinds of legal work there is a prior need for strategic reflection on the new regulatory aspects that are going to affect your business model, your profitability, the way in which clients will perceive you, the position you will occupy in the marketplace and your ability to compete with new entities (i.e. fintech or bigtech).
Data & analytics will be crucial to being in a position to provide sophisticated analysis and predictability to our clients, both in terms of customer behavior or future judicial decisions. I see KPMG as a multidisciplinary, global firm able to provide solutions to our clients by combining different perspectives, including tax and legal, and supported by technological capabilities we are only beginning to know.
- Tax: The Big Four
Top Tier Firm Rankings
- Employment
- Insurance
- Public law
- Restructuring and insolvency