The practice group at DLA Piper is equipped to handle a range of contentious and non-contentious restructuring mandates, including financial restructurings and distressed M&A deals, in which it primarily acts on the buyer’s side. Practice head Juan Verdugo, who was previously at Garrigues, arrived at the firm in April 2025 and specialises in assisting companies, creditors, lenders and shareholders with restructuring plans, insolvencies, debt restructuring and distressed acquisitions.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Billing & efficiency
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Juan Verdugo - Practical knowledge of how the law actually works, and its interpretation by judges.’
- ‘Professionalism, technical skills, dedication. Effective outreach to corporate clients. Innovation. Persistence in negotiations.’
- ‘Outstanding lawyers I have worked with include José María Gil-Robles and Juan Verdugo.'
- ‘Deep knowledge and extensive experience in the sector and the ability to adapt to and anticipate client needs.’
- ‘Pro-deal negotiation and advisory skills, extensive ability to defend client interests, provide solutions and alternatives to reconcile the interests of the parties in complex transactions and negotiations.’
- ‘At DLA Piper, a collaborative culture, flexibility, and the creativity of its lawyers are paramount, fostering an optimal work environment. Furthermore, the firm strives for success and excellence in every engagement, allocating the necessary material and human resources to achieve it, both nationally and internationally.'
- 'Their flexibility facilitates agreements that benefit their clients, minimising disputes whenever possible. They are innovative.'
- 'As a global law firm, they seek to propose pioneering solutions tested in other markets. They strive to identify and thoroughly understand the client's problem in order to provide a tailored solution. Finally, their extensive network: DLA enjoys a strong reputation and recognition within the sector, both from clients and from other law firms and legal professionals specialising in restructuring.’
- ‘Juan Verdugo: A person of strong values, honourable, generous, flexible, affable, and detail-oriented. In the professional sphere, he stands out for his extensive legal knowledge, his pragmatism, his tireless pursuit of excellence, and for defining the strategy that will best defend his client's interests, favouring, to the extent possible, an agreement.’
Key clients
- Banco Santander
- Hanover Investment
- Hafesa Group
- Smarttia
- Nike Retail
- Adamo Telecom
- Susi Partners
Work highlights
Assisted Hanover Investment and Inmark Socimi with a strategic restructuring of their €110m financial debt.
Advised Hafesa group on designing a roadmap to navigate ongoing legal proceedings.
Advised Smarttia, the holding company of the Greenalia Group, on the bilateral restructuring of its financial debt with Banco Santander.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Juan Verdugo
Other key lawyers
José María Gil-Robles