Competition/European Law
Europe Guide 2024 : Spain
Band 1
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+34 91 586 0400About
Provided by Uría Menéndez
In today’s global economy, the proactive management of risks related to competitive practices and antitrust is a key factor in the strategy of companies that are determined to strengthen their market position.
Our specialist lawyers share an in-depth understanding of the regulations and leverage extensive experience liaising with the competition authorities and advising our clients on how to realise their business strategies.
In a constantly changing environment, we offer advice that is technically sound and guaranteed to be of the highest quality, both on the traditional strategic sectors and the new digital economy.
We advise our clients on all areas of competition law:
- Cartels and other collusive conduct.
- Abuse of dominant positions.
- Merger control.
- Follow-on claims.
- State aid.
- Preventive advice on competition matters and compliance programmes.
Chambers Review
Uría Menéndez has a highly acclaimed competition practice with offices in both Spain and Brussels, as well as collaborating with its highly regarded Portuguese office on pan-Iberian matters. The pre-eminent law firm provides strong expertise assisting clients with cartel investigations, from the initial dawn raids all the way to the appeals against adverse decisions by the CNMC. The team also offers expertise representing clients in damages claims and preliminary rulings. It has proven capacity to handle high-value global merger notifications in heavily consolidated sectors, including standout mandates for financial services clients. Its client roster also includes blue-chip clients from the construction and aviation sectors.
Work Highlights
- Uría Menéndez acted for Hyundai and Toyota on damages claims in relation to a CNMC investigation into the exchange of commercially sensitive information.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Uría Menéndez's involvement in the most relevant cases makes it provide state-of-the-art solutions for different problems that companies may have."
"The competition law team at Uría Menéndez are always available for their clients. Their responsiveness level is impressive and the service level exquisite."
"Whenever we have doubts, we always go to Uría Menéndez to make sure we are doing things properly."
"Uría Menéndez always go above and beyond."
"The team was always available when needed and responded to all our questions and requests for meetings swiftly."
"Uría Menéndez's involvement in the most relevant cases makes it provide state-of-the-art solutions for different problems that companies may have."
"The competition law team at Uría Menéndez are always available for their clients. Their responsiveness level is impressive and the service level exquisite."
"Whenever we have doubts, we always go to Uría Menéndez to make sure we are doing things properly."
"Uría Menéndez always go above and beyond."
"The team was always available when needed and responded to all our questions and requests for meetings swiftly."
Notable Practitioners
Alfonso Gutiérrez is called upon by clients for advice on investigations launched by the CNMC and appeals against CNMC decisions. His market-leading expertise further includes complex merger control proceedings, including acting on behalf of interested parties.
"Alfonso Gutiérrez is a highly sophisticated lawyer with outstanding knowledge of our sector and competition authorities. He is detail-oriented and goes straight to the point."
"His technical level is unquestionable. He is fully aware of all state-of-the-art issues and provides innovative solutions to customer problems. He is extremely quick in his analysis and always available when needed."
"Alfonso Gutiérrez is what you would expect from a partner at a top law firm. He is close to us, available, and his advice is very reliable."
"Alfonso Gutiérrez spotted the issues very accurately from the beginning."
"Alfonso Gutiérrez is one of the best competition lawyers in Spain."
Edurne Navarro Varona leads the firm's Brussels office. As a Spanish-qualified lawyer, she is also central to the firm's domestic Spanish competition law practice and represents clients before the CNMC in merger notifications, infringement proceedings and FDI filings.
"Edurne Navarro Varona is very client-friendly and client-focused. She makes things easier for everyone and reduces the burden for clients and advisers."
"She is very much in the detail but without losing sight of the bigger picture. She is extremely calm and collected in how she advises and has a very good client manner. She is very in control of what she is doing."
"She is very clear with the client about what is happening and what she would recommend."
"She has knowledge of our business perspective, which makes it easy to continue with her. She knows our pain points and what we really need."
"What I like about her is that she gives undivided attention to our matter. She really tries to build the relationship with the client."
Patricia Vidal is an increasingly prominent figure in the field of competition. She is particularly visible handling follow-on damage claims. She offers additional experience in merger control procedures and CNMC investigations into anti-competitive practices.
"Patricia Vidal is very to the point, fast and efficient."
Antonio Guerra has a broad practice that encompasses merger control proceedings and follow-on damages claims, as well as antitrust investigations carried out by the European Commission and the CNMC. He has experience acting for clients from the aviation, construction and consumer goods sectors.
"Antonio Guerra has great communication skills, knowledge and insights into how the authority thinks."
"For me, what makes the difference between Antonio Guerra and other lawyers is that he perfectly understands our business and my needs. He understands what we need in every moment and goes directly to the point."
"His vision, strategy and knowledge in the competition field are remarkable."
"Antonio Guerra is very knowledgeable and quick to respond."
"He is very much on top of the case."
Ranked Lawyers at
Uría Menéndez
Spain