Industry focus: Retail Tier 1

The retail and consumer practice group at Bird & Bird centres around three sub-sectors: food and beverage; luxury, fashion and retail; and hotels and leisure. The team covers the full spectrum of work affecting its clients, with particular strength in data protection, trade mark prosecution and enforcement, and M&A. Lourdes Ayala has broad experience in domestic and cross-border M&A and restructuring, often involving a significant real estate component. IP expert Antonio Cueto counts well-known fashion brands among his clients.

Intellectual property: patents Tier 1

Bird & Bird further strengthened its Madrid office's patent expertise with the hire of litigation and licensing specialist Jose Miguel Lissen in mid-2020. He joins an established team with a strong litigation focus and an impressive international client base in pharmaceuticals, communications and technology, which also benefits from the firm's in-house patent valuation and analysis system, Pattern. Manuel Lobato is an experienced patents and trade secrets practitioner in the life sciences and technology sectors, and Antonio Cueto is an expert litigator. Mariano Santos specialises in internet and IT issues, and Teresa Mercadal is a name to note at the senior associate level.

Insurance

Industry focus: Food Tier 2

Intellectual property: Copyright Tier 2

Bird & Bird has a focus on dispute resolution, with good litigation capabilities across all areas of IP. In copyright, the firm's specialisms include publishing copyrights and the retail sector, alongside technology and energy, with clients including major domestic and multinational companies. The team was strengthened in mid-2020 by the arrival of co-head Jose Miguel Lissen, who focuses on technology and life sciences work. Other leaders in the team include technology-focused partner Manuel Lobato, trade secrets litigator Antonio Cueto and Mariano Santos, who works on IT and online issues.

Intellectual property: Trade marks Tier 2

Bird & Bird covers the full range of trade mark matters from its Madrid office, with a focus on litigation and a growing profile in prosecution work. The team acts for heavyweight domestic and international clients in a broad range of sectors, including retail and consumer goods, technology and manufacturing. The department was strengthened further by the arrival of Jose Miguel Lissen in 2020, bringing expertise in technology, communications and life sciences. Manuel Lobato is a highly respected practitioner with capabilities in litigation and transactional support, while Antonio Cueto is an experienced litigator. Mariano Santos is praised for his expertise in prosecution and defence proceedings.

Industry focus: Healthcare and life sciences Tier 3

Bird & Bird covers the full spectrum of healthcare and life sciences, counting pharmaceutical, biotech, digital health and agribusiness companies among its clients. Individual partners bring expertise in various fields of law: Coral Yáñez stands out for her public law and regulatory practice; Manuel Lobato is an expert in IP, particularly in patent litigation involving large pharmaceutical companies; and corporate partner Lourdes Ayala often advises life sciences clients on M&A and commercial matters.

Projects and energy Tier 3

The multi-disciplinary energy and utilities team at Bird & Bird combines M&A, regulatory and public law expertise, allowing it to advise clients across the full life-cycle of projects, including in disputes. The firm stands out for its sector-focused approach and has notable experience in renewables projects. Public law and litigation expert Coral Yáñez leads the team alongside Hermenegildo Altozano, who specialises in energy projects and investments in Spain and Latin America.

Capital markets: Equity Tier 4

Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 4

Dispute resolution Tier 4

Experienced in representing clients before civil and commercial courts, Bird & Bird is active in multi-disciplinary and cross-border arbitration, mediation and litigation. The firm has notable strength in key sectors including life sciences, technology, financial services and energy, and is particularly active in commercial and IP matters. The practice also has a proven track record in litigation arising from regulatory and administrative law issues. The team is co-led by regulatory specialist Coral Yáñez; Antonio Cueto, who is known for patent, trade mark and design litigation expertise; counsel Pablo Berenguer, who is head of the commercial dispute resolution group; and Alfonso Carillo Cano, who joined the team in 2020, bringing experience in a range of commercial disputes, particularly banking, real estate, construction and insolvency matters.

Real estate and construction Tier 4

EU and competition Tier 5

Banking and finance Tier 6

Bird & Bird has ‘experience of dealing with regulatory, enforcement and corporate governance issues', particularly in the fintech area. The firm focuses on compliance, regulatory work, structured finance, receivables and distressed portfolio sales, as well as sport and aviation finance. José Luis Lorente Howell leads the team and has broad expertise in domestic and international financing.