BBVA's Luisa Forcada says the bank judges external lawyers on their understanding of their client's specific needs rather than on 'baseline costs'.

Most partners agree that law firms can prosper by drawing up strategic plans, so why aren't all firms adopting them?

More businesses in Spain and Portugal instructing white collar crime lawyers as investigations into financial mismanagement during the crisis increase.

Although the proportion of women partners at law firms in Iberia is on the rise, only one in six partners in Spain, for example, is a woman – given that most law graduates are women...

At a time when the promotion of women lawyers in the legal sector is becoming key to the future commercial success of law firms, the Iberian Lawyer InspiraLAw Top 50 Women List recognises those that are inspiring the next generation of female lawyers

Market insiders say track record of cross-border firms in Central America bodes well for Uría Menéndez's new Chilean-Colombian venture

With new research showing that law firms in Spain are expecting growth in profits and revenue in the coming year – while many also anticipate an increase in headcount – the mood is certainly optimistic. However, it is important that law firms' growth strategies are backed by a sound business case.

Expansion will be the buzzword in the Spanish legal market next year, with the majority of firms anticipating an increase in profits, revenues and headcount.

The vast majority of partners in Spain and Portugal believe their law firm could increase its profitability and efficiency by investing more in technology.

Meanwhile, multinational companies that operate in Spain, or Spanish companies that go overseas, demand legal advisers with a global outlook, says Herbert Smith Freehills Madrid managing partner Miguel Riaño.

General counsel are under intense pressure to do as much work as possible in-house to save money, if law firms want to win instructions they must become increasingly focused.

Law firm training programmes now include more instruction in non-legal skills due to worries that law courses are "woefully inadequate" preparation for a career in a modern law firm

With one of the best-paying law firms in the world, Latham & Watkins, looking to boost its team in Madrid, rival firms are bracing themselves for a fight as they look to retain their top talent –

New ranking of law firm brands in Iberia reveals that Uría Menéndez and PLMJ are the top brands in Spain and Portugal respectively.

The financial crisis dealt a severe blow to many firms but also presented an opportunity for strategic renewal.

A total of 40 per cent of law firms in Spain and Portugal have increased their budgets for marketing, communications and business development in the last year, but all firms are suffering from a high turnover of staff in these areas, according to new research conducted by Iberian Lawyer.

Major changes are taking place at Ashurst at a global level as the firm reviews its management and equity structures – meanwhile, the firm's Spanish office is also taking steps to alter its working practices to maximise cross-selling opportunities.

Senior partners are struggling to understand the new associates that are growing up in their law firms – what do young lawyers want and how can you keep them motivated?

Fears that tax-related legal advice could be interpreted as tax evasion, with the result that law firms could suffer irreparable damage to their reputation.

With workflow increasing at law firms in Spain and Portugal, many are looking to increase the size of their teams in the coming year as the battle for the best candidates intensifies.