Bird & Bird > Madrid, Spain > Firm Profile

Bird & Bird > The Legal 500 Rankings

Spain > Industry focus: Retail Tier 1

Bird & Bird is best known for its ability to handle a spread of matters related to IP, M&A, real estate and cybersecurity matters for an array of clients operating in the retail sector. The team possesses strong credentials in transactional work, with a particular focus on the automotive, food, fashion, luxury goods and life sciences spaces. Co-head Lourdes Ayala handles M&A, private equity and venture capital deals for institutional and industrial investors. Practice leader Antonio Cueto, who specialises in IP, is a key point of contact for European fashion brands. Senior consultant Diana Sendagorta is well versed in advising technology, food and beverages companies on cross-border private equity and venture capital mandates.

Spain > Intellectual property: patents Tier 1

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.

Spain > Intellectual property: Trade marks Tier 1

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.

Spain > Data privacy and data protection Tier 2

Bird & Bird‘s privacy and data protection practice has a strong position in cross-border matters, drawing on its extensive office network across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia Pacific and North America. Clients praise the ‘flexible and business-oriented‘ practice for its ‘extensive experience in solving the most complex issues‘. Lead partner Joaquin Muñoz is a key adviser to international corporations on regulatory and compliance matters, working with major data platform companies on business-critical aspects of GDPR rules. Associate Paula Garralón stands out for her in-depth knowledge of cross-border personal data transfers and the management of data breaches.

Spain > Industry focus: Food Tier 2

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.

Spain > Industry focus: Healthcare and life sciences Tier 2

Spain > Intellectual property: Copyright Tier 2

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.

Spain > Insurance Tier 3

Fielding ‘a strong, very specialised and consolidated' insurance practice, Bird & Bird is regularly sought out by several insurers, reinsurers and brokers for its wide sectoral expertise covering aviation, medical malpractice, cybersecurity and finance. Singled out for its 'extensive experience in litigation', most notably reinsurance coverage disputes, the group is led by Luis Alfonso Fernández, who manages contentious matters in this space. Virginia Martínez offers key support in mandates involving contract negotiations, professional liability claims and industrial risks.

Spain > Dispute resolution Tier 4

The ‘excellent’ team at Bird & Bird has a balanced litigation and arbitration practice, particularly excelling in disputes related to contractual breaches, insolvency proceedings, unfair competition, illegal advertising, and banking matters. The team acts for clients from an array of sectors, encompassing IT, energy, aviation, biotechnology, real estate, and construction. Leading the practice is Pablo Berenguer, who has ‘an outstanding performance in the courts’, and ‘is able to conduct the case with high-level legal arguments while combining technical aspects specific to the area in controversy’ . Also of note are commercial disputes expert Alfonso Carillo Cano; Ana Lois, noted for her capabilities in all types of judicial and arbitration proceedings; and the ‘always available’ Sofia Manzanares, who is skilled in commercial and insolvency cases.

Spain > Industry focus: TMT Tier 4

Bird & Bird has a strong track record in the technology sector, where it handles commercial agreements, M&A, litigation, and regulatory matters. Led by commercial law expert Pablo Berenguer, the practice is also well versed in privacy and data protection matters, as well as public law-related mandates. Other key contacts include emerging technology specialist Joaquin Muñoz, whose expertise in digital law sees him act as a key adviser to telecoms and media clients,  and senior associate Celia Bouzas.

Spain > Projects and energy Tier 4

Spain > Public law Tier 4

Clients praise Bird & Bird for its ‘deep knowledge of the sector’s legal and regulatory framework’, its particular strength in public procurement, along with its sustained ‘relations with public administrations’. Department leader Coral Yáñez, who has over two decades' experience in regulatory and administrative law, attracts instructions from an impressive client roster operating in the energy, life sciences and pharmaceuticals spaces whom she regularly assists with sanctioning proceedings. Enrique Rivas has deep expertise advising on public procurement.

Spain > Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 5

Demonstrating particular strength in the technology space, Bird & Bird is well versed in M&A, spin-offs, joint ventures and corporate restructurings. The firm attracts engagements from a variety of multinationals, institutional investors, emerging growth companies and entrepreneurs, and is a popular choice for venture capital, life sciences and healthcare-related matters. Lourdes Ayala, who heads up the corporate, M&A and venture capital department in Madrid, advises on domestic and cross-border deals. M&A and VC specialist Alberto Rodriguez is especially active in the tech, gaming, e-sports and life sciences sectors.

Spain > Employment Tier 5

A variety of domestic and multinational clients, from aviation to financial services players, turn to Bird & Bird for advice on contentious and non-contentious employment matters. Miguel Pastur leads the team from Madrid, and is particularly knowledgeable of redundancy programmes and employee transfers. He is supported by Isabel Rodríguez León, who advises on employment contracts and internal policies, and Jorge Sanz who has substantial experience in social security issues and collective matters.

Spain > Real estate and construction Tier 5

Spain > Banking and finance Tier 6

At Bird & Bird, the ‘very competent, responsive and solution-oriented‘ finance and financial regulation practice has a solid reputation in the market for real estate-related deals and venture debt financings. In addition, the team also has noteworthy strength in payment services and fintech matters, standing out for its substantial experience in the setting up of neobanks in Spain. With extensive expertise in banking, fintech and insurance regulations, José Luis Lorente Howell handles regulatory and transactional matters, ranging from acquisition, project and asset finance to distressed debt deals.