Firm Profile > Baker McKenzie > Madrid, Spain

Data privacy and data protection Tier 1

Baker McKenzie advises on data use, evaluating risk, compliance and preventative measures. The firm has significant experience in cybersecurity and data breach matters, as well as assisting tech companies with data issues related to the launching of new projects. In addition, the practice is known for its expertise in the developing areas of AI, machine learning and digital banking. Raúl Rubio leads the team and focuses on technology, telecoms, advertising, media and privacy. He also specialises in electronic signature and information security matters.

Industry focus: Manufacturing Tier 1

Baker McKenzie acts for clients in the automotive, aerospace, chemical, steel, electronics and logistics sectors. Key areas of work include financing, transactional and real estate matters. M&A specialist Maite Diaz, Jorge Adell, who advises on strategic alliances and M&A and private equity transactions, and Xavier Junquera, who assists clients in the sector with procurement and planning issues, head the team.

Industry focus: Retail Tier 1

Baker McKenzie regularly advises clients on e-commerce, regulatory compliance with EU legislation, and selective distribution, franchising and vertical restraints. Intellectual property specialists María Dolores Garayalde, who advises clients in the retail sector on licence agreements, technology transfer and software, and Cristina Duch, who also has a particular focus on competition and advertising matters, head the practice. The team also includes M&A specialist Luis Casals, tax planning and post-reorganisation integration expert Esteban Raventós and Raúl Rubio, who leads the firm’s IT and telecom practices and has experience in electronic signature and information security and online administration matters.

Industry focus: TMT Tier 1

The team at Baker McKenzie provides ‘practical, commercial advice’ across the information technology, media and telecoms sectors, in areas such as financing, regulatory issues, e-commerce, and data privacy and protection. The group handles matters such as the structured financing of film and television productions, machine-to-machine agreements and telecoms regulation, including the granting of radio spectrum licences and the provision of voice and data services. José María Méndez, who focuses on media matters including production, financing and distribution of content and the management of corporate deals, leads the practice with IT and telecoms specialist Raúl Rubio, who is experienced in information security, electronic arbitration and mediation, and online administration.

Intellectual property: Copyright Tier 1

The team at Baker McKenzie handles copyright issues in the media, entertainment, publicity and digital media sectors. The practice advises on existing copyright protection, maximising the use of copyrighted material, and the enforcement and defence of copyright. José María Méndez, who specialises in media law, heads the team in Madrid. IP litigator Carles Prat leads the Barcelona group. María Dolores Garayalde, who has significant experience advising on the IP facets of corporate transactions, is also noted.

Tax Tier 1

Baker McKenzie distinguishes itself as the international firm with the longest-standing dedicated tax team in Spain. Jointly headed by the 'solution-driven' and 'pragmatic' Rodrigo Ogea and Bruno Domínguez, who is described as 'a star in the Spanish market', the practice is known for its high-value work, and specialises in transfer pricing, litigation, taxation of the digital economy and transactional tax work. Thanks to its multi-jurisdictional expertise and access to the firm's global network, the team attracts major multinational clients such as luxury group LVMH, which received tax advice on its €2.7bn acquisition of Belmond Hotels.

Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 2

The multi-disciplinary team at Baker McKenzie specialises in matters related to the real estate, hospitality and tourism sectors. The firm is also increasingly active in advising private equity funds as investors in M&A transactions. Enrique Carretero leads the Madrid office's corporate and M&A practice, with a particular focus on public M&A and takeovers, as well as capital markets law. Co-leading the practice from Barcelona is Javier Menor, who is experienced in advising international and domestic clients on strategic alliances, private equity and competition law.

Dispute resolution Tier 2

Active in domestic and international arbitration, Baker McKenzie also provides expertise in civil, commercial, financial and insolvency litigation. The firm has pareticular experience acting in the automotive, infrastructure and technology sectors. José Ramón Casado specialises in commercial and civil litigation, as well as national and international arbitration proceedings. He co-leads the practice with Victor Mercedes, who focuses on civil, commercial and economic crime litigation. Recent highlights include representing Barcelona Football Club in various civil proceedings filed by more than 500 members of the club who were fined for ticket forgery.

Employment Tier 2

Baker McKenzie's employment team handles multi-jurisdictional HR projects, including restructurings, the employment aspects of M&A transactions, and compliance investigations, as well as policy and contract reviews. In the contentious arena, the practice acts on complex labour disputes and negotiations. The team also assists Spanish multinationals in their efforts to expand into other jurisdictions. Madrid-based David Diaz, who has a particular focus on union-related negotiations, and Barcelona-based Mireia Sabaté lead the practice. Fermín Guardiola has extensive expertise in collective bargaining agreements, equality plans and executive terminations.

Industry focus: Food Tier 2

Baker McKenzie’s food practice handles M&A transactions in the sector and regularly advises the shareholders of food retailers and restaurants. The group's experience in transactional matters also includes takeovers and joint ventures. The team is headed by Enrique Carretero, who is currently advising Telepizza Group on a public takeover bid by a subsidiary of KKR, and intellectual property specialist Christina Duch, who has experience in competition law and advertising. Highlights included advising Celler Mas Doix, a wine cellar, on a proposed joint venture with Cliff Lede Vineyards to expand into North America.

Industry focus: Healthcare and life sciences Tier 2

Baker McKenzie’s multi-disciplinary healthcare practice is noted for its ‘worldwide scope’. Particular strengths include advising on pricing and reimbursement issues and multi-jurisdictional best practice. The team can draw on support from the firm’s tax, competition, employment and IP litigation practices. Regulatory expert Montserrat Llopart and commercial contracting and restructuring specialist Cecilia Pastor head the practice. Ester Navas is also noted for her ‘flexibility’ and ‘expertise’. The firm is representing Chiesi, Isdin and Celgene before the Spanish Supreme Court in a matter relating to price referencing.

Intellectual property: Trade marks Tier 2

Baker McKenzie advises on trade mark prosecution, enforcement, litigation, anti-counterfeiting and parallel trade in the fashion and consumer goods, food and beverage, and publicity sectors. José María Méndez, who advises on IP protection, and litigator Carles Prat head the practice. María Dolores Garayalde, who has extensive experience in the IP aspects of corporate transactions, is also recommended.

Private equity Tier 2

‘Top firm’ Baker McKenzie is known for its expertise in multi-jurisdictional matters and M&A transactions, as well as for providing a dedicated funds task force. The firm also has particular experience in the real estate sector. Javier Menor advises international and domestic clients on private equity, M&A, strategic alliances and competition. He co-leads the practice with Luis Casals, who focuses on leveraged buyouts, acquisitions and disposals for private equity funds, infrastructure funds and corporations.

Public law Tier 2

The ‘very responsive, extremely professional and skilled’ Baker McKenzie is experienced in advising on public law matters and arbitrations in international, national and regional courts. The firm has regulatory and administrative law expertise, with a focus on the application of administrative legislation and the regulated sectors. The practice is also known for advising on foreign investments, methods of entry, bidding and M&A activity of Spanish infrastructure groups outside Spain. Antonio Morales joined from Latham & Watkins LLP in 2019 and specialises in energy and natural resources, with experience in arbitration. He co-leads the team with Barcelona-based Xavier Junquera, who combines a ‘deep knowledge base and extensive experience in urban law’, with ‘exceptional response times and availability’; his expertise lies in public law and regulatory issues.

White-collar crime Tier 2

Baker McKenzie’s expertise ranges from internal investigations and compliance to public prosecutor investigations and international cases. The firm's litigation experience includes defending companies, directors, representatives and employees. Victor Mercedes is known as a litigator in economic crime matters. He co-leads the practice with Jesus Santos, who advises companies and individuals on preventive criminal law, pre-litigation situations and criminal proceedings. Also notable is María Massó, who focuses on advising companies and individuals on criminal and compliance issues.

Banking and finance Tier 3

Specialising in cross-border work, Baker McKenzie’s experience includes acquisition finance, project finance, financial services regulation and real estate finance. Rossanna D’Onza is known for her expertise in a range of financing issues, as well as cross-border lending. She leads the ‘flexible and available’ team.

Capital markets: Debt Tier 3

Baker McKenzie has experience in representing issuers, managers and financial entities in bond issuances on the main and alternative investment markets. Practice head Enrique Carretero focuses on capital markets, IPOs, takeovers and public M&A. His team advised a wholly owned subsidiary of Minor International Public Company on the acquisition of a 38.2% stake in the Spanish listed company NH Hotel Group.

Capital markets: Equity Tier 3

The 'highly qualified' Baker McKenzie has particular expertise in equity capital markets, including IPOs and capital increases. The firm is also active advising on convertible bonds. Enrique Carretero leads the practice and focuses on capital markets, IPOs, takeovers and public M&A. His team advised the board of directors of Spanish listed company Telepizza Group on the public takeover bid launched by a subsidiary of KKR & Co.

Projects and energy Tier 3

Baker McKenzie specialises in litigation, M&A and regulatory work across the energy sector, including renewables, gas and water. Practice head Antonio Morales joined from Latham & Watkins LLP in 2019 and is known for his expertise in energy matters, as well as arbitrations in the international, national and regional courts. His team advised Ferrovial on all public law matters related to the acquisition of a company that owns and operates ten hydroelectric power stations and two ferroalloy factories.

Real estate and construction Tier 3

Baker McKenzie is known for transactional work, primarily related to hotels, offices, retail and hospitals. The firm also provides regulatory expertise, as well as advising international funds and banks on real estate financing deals. The practice is co-led by Jorge Adell, who is an expert in corporate real estate, focusing on transactional work; Xavier Junquera, who has expertise in hotels and resorts projects, as well as regulatory matters; and Guillermo Rodrigo, who advises international funds and socimis.

Restructuring and insolvency Tier 3

Baker McKenzie has a range of expertise in restructuring and insolvency proceedings, acting for lenders in international matters and end-to-end restructurings. The firm has local and international coverage and is also experienced in pre-insolvency proceedings, as well as advising on distressed asset transactions. Victor Mercedes leads the team and focuses on advising international clients on insolvency proceedings, distressed situations and liability for insolvency.

EU and competition Tier 4