Since Bird & Bird launched its Madrid office in September 2005, the office has firmly positioned itself among the leading commercial law firms operating in Spain with deep client and industry sector knowledge and consistent high quality in all its practices.
We have extensive experience in Banking and finance (incl. Derivatives); Corporate and M&A; Commercial; Competition and EU law; Employment; Litigation; Dispute Resolution, Arbitration and Mediation; IP; Tax; Public Procurement, Public and Administrative Law and Privacy and Data Protection.
We also provide an integrated service in the industries of Aviation; Financial Institutions; Communications, Media & Technology; Energy & Utilities; Environmental; Life Sciences & Healthcare; Insurance; Real Estate; Entertainment; Food & Beverage and Automotive.
Our team in Madrid is formed by over 50 lawyers, 7 of them partners, who offer a full service in the same tradition as that offered in Bird & Bird’s other offices around the world, combining domestic strength and international capability. We also boast of a good mix of work across all of Bird & Bird’s practice areas and a wide array of clients.
Our office in Madrid works closely with
Anselmo Vaz, Afra & Associados in Portugal, with whom Bird & Bird has an association agreement.
Our base in Madrid, the business hub of the Iberian Peninsula and gateway to Latin America, allows us to offer a truly international service to clients in this rapidly developing region. We have strong links with our best-friend law firms in the region and work with them on a regular basis.
Besides Spanish and English our team speaks Portuguese, French, German, Italian, Catalan, Polish and Russian. Our team is also engaged in a variety of
community projects and team building activities.
A large proportion of our lawyers have a master's degree or higher qualifications in law, and many lecture in universities and business schools.
Recent highlights of work
● Our Corporate team recently advised Just Eat Group - a leading online takeaway service - on the due diligence process and acquisition of 100% of the share capital of Spanish company Sindelantal Internet S.L. which included a complex Sale and Purchase Agreement. The due diligence process was also carried out by our IP and Employment teams in Madrid. Their work was particularly significant given the importance of the employment and trademark issues for the acquired company’s business.
● Our Energy team has now closed a deal in which they advised Enagás on the acquisition of a 90% interest stake in Naturgas Energía Transporte, which holds the main gas transmission assets, including gas pipelines and gas metering centres, within the North of Spain (Basque Country, Castilla y Leon and Asturias).
● Our Competition Team is advising EDF in the revision of the commitments imposed by the European Commission in case M.5549 as well as representing EDF against the Commission in various proceedings before the General Court of the European Union arising out of those commitments.
Awards and accolades
Our partners have won the International Law Office Client Choice Awards in the last 4 years in various areas of practice.
In May 2012 the major Spanish Business legal edition Expansión Jurídico included our office in Madrid on of the Top Ten Commercial lawfirms operating in Spain.
In autumn 2012 the leading corporate finance journal Acquisition International recognized our Madrid office in their 2012 Legal Awards, naming the team Spanish Energy Law Firm of the Year.
Two of our partners (Hermenegildo Altozano and Javier Fernández-Samaniego) were recognised as the best specialists in their areas in Spain by Best Lawyers.
Our office is also highly ranked in several legal directories:
Competition/European law: "The Madrid branch of this prestigious international firm covers the whole breadth of Spanish and EU competition issues. Recently, the six-strong team handled a number of high-profile litigation cases concerning abuse of dominant position, price-fixing and state aid. Sources say: 'The lawyers understand our problems and the internal workings of the Spanish Competition Authority extremely well, and are imaginative and responsive.'"
Chambers Europe 2012, Spain
Corporate/M&A: "This seven-member corporate team serves an impressive list of domestic and international names, working on M&A, spin-offs, joint ventures and restructurings. It recently advised BT on the restructuring of its business in Spain through the merger of several entities, including the winding-up of a Spanish branch. Sources say: 'A solid corporate department which houses some talented lawyers that clients love to work with.'"
Chamber Europe 2012, Spain
Intellectual Property: "This international heavyweight has cultivated a strong profile in IP. The team covers the full range of IP matters and is praised by clients and peers alike. Sources say: 'Outstanding multi-jurisdictional capabilities, excellent client service and sound business judgment.'"
Chambers Europe 2012, Spain
Life Sciences: "This international firm's IP and public law practices collaborate successfully to serve a large life sciences client base. The team has advised several research institutions of late, including Fundación Pública Andaluza Progreso y Salud, on the contractual aspects of research and development agreements and licences. Sources say: 'This customer-oriented team stands out because of its knowledge, flexibility and availability.' 'Its network of contacts, the multidisciplinary team and its global knowledge make the client feel at ease and well represented.'"
Chambers Europe 2012, Spain
TMT (Communications, Media): "This international powerhouse is a market leader in the IT area. It advises a wide and varied client base on contentious and non-contentious matters. Recent highlights include representing Ahorro Corporación in a deal with INDRA to outsource IT infrastructure and applications for seven years. The TMT practice also assists media companies such as Time Warner and Mediabrands, and magazines such as Semana. The telecoms side of the practice has lately been strengthened by recruitment. It recently represented Nuance Communications/Spinvox in negotiations with a global telecoms company.'Outstanding technical knowledge of the IT sector.'"
Chambers Europe 2012, Spain