Mariano Santos > Bird & Bird > Madrid, Spain > Lawyer Profile

Bird & Bird acts for a wide range of Spanish and international clients across the food and beverages industry. Offering advice on IP, competition, data protection and transactional matters, the group is regularly retained by biotech and agriscience, manufacturers, food supply chain companies, retailers and distributors. Lourdes Ayala takes the lead on corporate and M&A work, while Antonio Cueto focuses on IP issues. IP is also a key specialism for Manuel Lobato, who possesses a strong track record in patent litigation before the Spanish courts, and Mariano Santos, who handles trade mark prosecution matters.

Bird & Bird‘s global IP practice provides a strong platform for the team in Spain, which is frequently involved in high-value, cross-border matters in key industries, among them pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, apparel and chemicals. Prosecution partner Mariano Santos and patent licensing expert José Miguel Lissén lead a ‘a very solid team, with a high level of specialisation‘. Vastly experienced of counsel Manuel Lobato is highly regarded for patent litigation and strategic advice, particularly in the life sciences sector, and senior associate Maria Fernandez handles the prosecution and defence of IP rights all over the world. Associate Marta Arteaga is a key adviser to clients in the food, fashion, entertainment and electronics sectors.

Particularly well known for trade mark litigation, Bird & Bird‘s ‘versatile and flexible’ IP practice continues to act for high-profile clients, among them Monster Energy and The International Olympic Committee. Led by seasoned litigator José Miguel Lissén and trade mark prosecution specialist Mariano Santos, the team frequently handles portfolio management as well as infringement claims. Counsels Manuel Lobato and Antonio Cueto are key advisers to clients in the medical devices, pharmaceuticals, media, retail, fashion, food and sports industries. Associates Marta Arteaga and Maria Fernandez also stand out for their role in key matters. ‘Their availability and speed make them the ideal law firm for any urgent matter‘, remarks one client.

Bird & Bird‘s IP group works with teams across the firm’s international network to assist blue-chip companies in sectors as diverse as food and beverage, media, chemicals and apparel. Clients report ‘a great team, with very specialised knowledge, great quality of service, excellent responses and flexibility‘. Setting the tone are lead partners José Miguel Lissén and Mariano Santos, and counsel Antonio Cueto, who focuses predominantly on trade secrets. Counsel Manuel Lobato handles IP litigation and strategic advice, and associates Maria Fernandez and Marta Arteaga also play central roles in the firm’s most significant matters.