Firm Profile > CMS Albiñana y Suárez de Lezo > Madrid, Spain

Capital markets: Debt Tier 2

CMS Albiñana y Suárez de Lezo acts for clients in the areas of structured finance and securitisation, including debt capital markets, derivatives and compliance. The firm is particularly focused on innovation at a geopolitical, regulatory and technological level. César Albiñana leads the practice and has expertise in capital markets and banking law. His team was boosted by the arrivals of Ignacio Zarzalejos, who joined from Uría Menéndez in 2019 and specialises in M&A, as well as corporate and securities market law; and senior associate Andrea Salgueiro, who joined from the private sector in 2019 and advises on capital markets transactions, structured financing and derivative instruments. Ignacio Ramos, formerly a counsel in the team, left the firm in 2020.

Commercial, corporate and M&A Tier 2

The ‘first-class' CMS Albiñana y Suárez de Lezo provides the full spectrum of M&A and corporate advice, particularly in the energy and insurance sectors. The firm has expertise in venture capital, outsourcing, capital markets, group restructuring and privatisation. Managing partner César Albiñana specialises in the securities market, corporate law and regulatory advice. He co-leads the practice with the ‘very valuable and trusted’ Rafael Suárez de Lezo, who has expertise in group restructurings. The team was strengthened in 2019 by the arrivals of M&A, corporate and securities market law expert Ignacio Zarzalejos, from Uría Menéndez, and counsel Pedro Ferreras, who joined from Ferreras Abogados and is known for advising start-ups and leading technology companies. Also notable are Rafael Sánchez and Javier Leyva, who were promoted to partner in 2019 and focus on private equity and venture capital.

Industry focus: TMT Tier 2

Javier Torre de Silva leads the TMT practice at CMS Albiñana y Suárez de Lezo with telecoms specialist Jorge Sánchez, who has experience in projects involving underwater high-capacity fibre infrastructure. The team provides regulatory advice and has particular experience in the telecoms area. Other key areas of work include film production and finance, content distribution, digital marketing, machine-to-machine and Internet of Things agreements, e-commerce, outsourcing advice, big data and defamation cases. José Luis Piñar, who focuses on IT and data protection law, is also recommended. The group is currently advising BT España on day-to-day regulatory, commercial and data protection matters.

Projects and energy Tier 2

CMS Albiñana y Suárez de Lezo focuses on financing in the infrastructure and energy sectors, particularly M&A transactions for foreign and local clients. The firm has strong connections with investment funds, as well as public sector bodies. César Albiñana and Luis Miguel De Dios lead the practice.

Public law Tier 2

CMS Albiñana y Suárez de Lezo is known for advising the Spanish public sector on matters of administrative law, public procurement and regulatory law. The firm has particular expertise in public procurement processes, as well as disputes in the area. Former state attorney and public law expert Ignacio Grangel joined in 2019 from the private sector to head the firm’s public law and regulated sectors department. Co-leading the team with him are César Albiñana, Javier Torre de Silva and Juan José Zabala.

White-collar crime Tier 2

CMS Albiñana y Suárez de Lezo advises on corporate criminal law, providing the traditional services of legal prosecution and defence, as well as expertise in preventive criminal law and corporate compliance. The firm is particularly active in financial criminal law and crime prevention compliance. Practice head Carlos Aguilar is well regarded for criminal, civil, corporate and constitutional law, with a notable focus on financial criminal law.

Banking and finance Tier 3

Particularly known for acquisition finance and debt refinancing, CMS Albiñana y Suárez de Lezo also has experience in real estate and project finance. The ‘very skilled’ practice has the ‘highest level of expertise in international cases’. Abraham Nájera leads the team and specialises in structured financing, restructuring and debt portfolio transactions, acting for financial institutions and debtors.

Capital markets: Equity Tier 3

CMS Albiñana y Suárez de Lezo has experience in a range of capital markets transactions, notably IPOs. Corporate and M&A specialist Carlos Peña is active in this area.

Dispute resolution Tier 3

CMS Albiñana y Suárez de Lezo specialises in advising financial institutions on litigation and arbitration proceedings, particularly in relation to breaches of SPAs and director liability, as well as acting in corporate disputes and matters arising from distribution and agency contracts. Notable in the area are Luis Javier Vidal, who has experience in the areas of civil litigation, corporate, banking law and insolvency, as well as domestic and international arbitration, and Juan Ignacio Fernández Aguado, who specialises in civil and commercial litigation, insolvency, financial crime and contentious administrative issues.

Intellectual property: Copyright Tier 3

The copyright team at CMS Albiñana y Suárez de Lezo is headed by María González Gordon, who joined from Gómez-Acebo & Pombo.

Employment Tier 4

The employment team at CMS Albiñana y Suárez de Lezo is made up of 'practical' professionals with multi-jurisdictional expertise across a range of areas, including litigation, collective bargaining and M&A. The practice is jointly led by the 'outstanding' César Navarro and the 'reliable' Elena Esparza. Work highlights include advising on claims filed by a group of employees against two different Iberdrola subsidiaries as a result of a share deal.

Insurance Tier 4

CMS Albiñana y Suárez de Lezo has experience advising on policy working and corporate matters in the insurance sector, as well as cybersecurity insurance and regulatory advice. Counsel Rafael Sáez leads the practice and assists insurers and intermediaries with conducting activities in the Spanish market. His work includes advising on the underwriting process of W&I, insurance contracts for M&A transactions and the restructuring of multinational insurance businesses. In a recent highlight, the team advised AXA on a cross-border restructuring transaction.

Intellectual property: Trade marks Tier 4

The trade mark practice at CMS Albiñana y Suárez de Lezo advises on prosecution and brand protection. María González Gordon leads the team.

Real estate and construction Tier 4

CMS Albiñana y Suárez de Lezo is known for providing transactional advice, particularly in cross-border matters. The firm is also experienced in leasing, asset management, construction and design agreements, notably in the hospitality and leisure sectors. Álvaro Otero specialises in the sale and purchase of real estate companies and real estate assets, as well as sale and leaseback operations.

Restructuring and insolvency Tier 4

The ‘sophisticated and pragmatic’ CMS Albiñana y Suárez de Lezo has an international focus, with particular expertise in insolvency and pre-insolvency issues, as well as banking and creditors' refinancing. The firm is active on the debtor side, acting for clients including multinationals, infrastructure concessionaires and smaller domestic companies. Senior partner Rafael Suárez de Lezo co-leads the practice with the ‘very commercial, seasoned and effective’ Juan Ignacio Fernández Aguado, who has ‘tremendous knowledge of bankruptcy law’.

Tax Tier 4

The 'committed' and 'efficient' tax team at CMS Albiñana y Suárez de Lezo regularly advises Spanish and multinational companies on tax transactions and planning, with additional expertise in VAT and transfer pricing. The department is also known for acting for high-net-worth individuals. Team head Diego de Miguel has a particularly strong reputation among French corporate clients active in the Spanish market. In a recent highlight, he represented Siemens Gamesa in negotiations with local Spanish authorities on the tax treatment of compensation following a highly publicised redundancy plan. Ricardo Héctor and Carlos Palma, who was promoted to counsel in 2018, are also key lawyers.

EU and competition Tier 5

Specialising in merger control cases and infringement procedures, CMS Albiñana y Suárez de Lezo is particularly active in the consumer goods sector. Carlos Vérgez, who joined from BROSETA Abogados in 2018, leads the practice. He brings experience in advising multinationals on competition law and unfair competition. Notable in his team is senior associate Aida Oviedo, who has expertise advising on restrictive practices, abuse of dominant position, merger control and unfair competition.

Private equity Tier 5

CMS Albiñana y Suárez de Lezo is active in various private equity matters. Notable in the area is Carlos Peña, who is experienced in M&A, privatisations, joint ventures, strategic alliances and other corporate matters.