Virginia Hierro Domínguez

I am an associate in Bird & Bird's Insurance and Reinsurance practice in the Madrid office.

I have extensive experience in insurance regulatory and litigation matters, gained over the past 6 years.

I regularly provide practical and client-oriented advice to national and international clients on insurance regulatory aspects, focusing on the client's ambitions, concerns and individual situation. My advice is usually related to Spanish and EU Solvency II regulation and insurance distribution matters, the latter being in the spotlight with the recent transposition into Spanish law of the IDD.

Also in the insurance regulatory field, I am well-versed in drafting and amending all type of insurance contracts (life and non-life, including complex unit-linked insurance products) to be distributed in the Spanish market. I also assess clients regarding requests and inspection procedures from the Spanish Insurance Authority (DGSFP).

I also enjoy my work in the litigation field. I have proven insurance litigation experience that mostly refers to complex industrial risks, aviation and maritime claims, professional liability claims (lawyers and court representatives' liability, for instance), defective product liability (among others, vaccines), construction damages and resolution of coverage disputes.

• Regular advice to renowned insurance intermediaries (both national and international) on insurance distribution matters;
• Advising well-known international insurance companies on the interpretation and compliance with Solvency II and insurance distribution regulations (including the review of, drafting and amendments to contractual and precontractual documentation) and on the best possible structures for distributing insurance products in Spain;
• Advice to insurance companies and brokers during the inspections carried out by the DGSFP;
• Review of and amendments to complex unit-linked insurance products before their distribution in Spain, ensuring that the wording is in accordance with all relevant applicable regulations;
• Defense and representation of renowned insurance companies in complex insurance-related litigation.