With a strong following of banks, financial investors and major corporations, Clifford Chance stands out for its ability to advise on the issuance of all types of instruments by Spanish banks. In addition to its strong capabilities in debt issuances, the firm ‘has an outstanding team in the structured finance space’ which is often engaged in high-end and innovative securitisation matters. Its broader capital markets offering covers corporate securities, sovereign bonds, as well as green, social, sustainable, and sustainability-linked offerings. Global financial department head Eduardo García, who specialises in structured debt and securitisations, oversees the department with Antonio Henríquez, who has significant experience in ECM and DCM transactions, including convertible bond issues, hybrid capital, and medium-term note programmes. Jesús Quesada and Leonardo Fernández are also noted for their structured debt and securitisation acumen.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘A great team of lawyers with a deep knowledge and expertise of legal and commercial matters. Very good at matter management and transactional organisation.'
‘Anna Giulia Buscaglia in particular is a fantastic lawyer capable of handling all stages of capital markets transactions effectively and efficiently.’
‘The team is responsive, commercial and has an excellent knowledge of the market. In our experience, their style is collaborative rather than combative, and we think that it is a better approach overall and leads to a better outcome on transactions than would otherwise be the case.’
‘We deal mainly with Leonardo Fernández. From our perspective, we require a targeted, commercial and credit-oriented review. The team, and Leo in particular, understand and are very responsive to that.'
'Clifford Chance has an outstanding team in the structured finance space; it is the undisputed leader in the Spanish market. They stand out for their excellent technical level, knowledge of the sector and the practice as well as the quality of their advice, their global network of offices and the availability and proactivity they show with the client.'
- 'Leonardo Fernández, the firm's senior counsel, is the lawyer of reference for me in any transaction in which I work with Clifford Chance. Leo is not only a lawyer with exceptional quality and expertise in both structured finance and banking and finance law in general, but his practical approach to all matters, his unbeatable knowledge of the market, his dedication to his clients and his proactivity make him the ideal partner to work with. Having Leo on board in any matter is a guarantee of success and of meeting the deadlines set by the needs of the business. His always affable, pragmatic, optimistic and open-minded character makes the difference when it comes to unblocking even the most complex negotiations. Leo never skimps on any effort required and is committed to the smallest detail.'
Key clients
- Banco Santander
- BBVA
- BNP Paribas
- Citigroup
- Morgan Stanley
- Deutsche Bank
- Caixabank
- European Investment Bak / European Investment Fund
- Blackstone
- Nomura
Work highlights
Advised the managers on the issuances by the Kingdom of Spain in the last 12 months for a total amount of € 34bn.
Advised Banco Santander on the incorporation of a €2bn Spanish synthetic securitisation fund "Fondo de Titulización Magdalena 7 " also including the issuance of €142.5m credit linked notes.
Advised Nomura and other bondholders (including Rothesay, ICG and HCOB)in connection with a restructuring of the securitisation programme and the notes issued by the Irish SPV Castilla Finance DAC, where the originator is the Spanish lending company BravoCapital and the receivables securitised arise from factoring agreements, promissory notes and loans.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Jesús Quesada
Practice head
Eduardo García; Antonio Henriquez
Other key lawyers
Jesús Quesada; Leonardo Fernández; Francisco Pizarro; Anna Buscaglia