Cuatrecasas

Chairman: Rafael Fontana
Managing Partner: Jorge BadÍa
Number of partners: 222
Number of lawyers: 1062
Languages: Arabic, Chinese, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish

Firm Overview:
Specialising in all areas of business law, Cuatrecasas is present in 13 countries, with a strong focus on Spain, Portugal and Latin America. With a multidisciplinary and diverse team of over 1,000 lawyers, the firm applies a sectoral approach to, covering all types of business and combining maximum technical expertise with business vision.

Main Areas of Practice:
Banking & Finance
Capital Markets
Competition & EU Law
Corporate & M&A
Corporate Governance & Compliance
Litigation & Arbitration
Employment
Intellectual Property
Private Client & Wealth Management
Public Law
Restructuring & Insolvency
Tax
White Collar Crime & Investigations
Industry Groups

Clients & Experience:
Cuatrecasas has a solid track-record working with leading companies, advising them on their day-to-day activity and on major transactions and well-known litigation proceedings. Last year, the firm advised on Bluemountain and KKR’s €3 billion capital structure and the refinancing of Abengoa; Engie and Mirova’s €2.2 billion acquisition of six hydroelectric power plants in Portugal; Elior’s €1.5 billion sale of Areas; Universidad Privada de Madrid’s €1.1 billion company sale; and Warburg Pincus’€1 billion sale of Accelya. The firm also represents the international consortium in the international arbitration related to the project to build Line 2 of the Lima Metro. ~

Awards:
For the second consecutive year, Financial Times Innovative Lawyers named Cuatrecasas the most innovative firm in Europe (outside the UK), being ranked 6th among the most innovative firms on the continent, making it the first firm from a non-English speaking country in the ranking. The firm also received the award in the ‘Managing and Developing Talent’ category.

Innovation, Knowledge & Collaboration:
Lawyers at Cuatrecasas work with a new approach to client service, combining collective knowledge with innovation and the latest technologies. The firm has a knowledge and innovation group made up of a multidisciplinary team of 40 academics, lawyers and technologists specialising in research and development. This enables the firm to manage its resources and collective knowledge more efficiently; promote ongoing improvement of its internal processes; and guarantee the provision of efficient, innovative and top-quality advice. The firm also uses artificial intelligence programs and has created collaboration platforms with its clients to share documents and procedures, and to enable them to follow up on their cases. Cuatrecasas was the first European law firm to create a startup accelerator. Four editions later, the firm has worked on over 20 projects and has established the first specialist investment vehicle in legaltech startups.

Talent:
Cuatrecasas captures and retains the best talent with measures that promote flexible working, efficiency and a work-family balance. Also, through training, pilot programs and policies, the firm has approved measures aimed at removing obstacles to the promotion of female talent and leadership. The firm has invested heavily in technology and training plans, making digital transformation a crucial part of these processes.

Spain & Portugal:
Cuatrecasas has a strong presence throughout the Iberian Peninsula, with offices in 14 Spanish cities and in Portugal’s two main cities. With specialised knowledge of the regulations and practices applicable in the different regions, as well as experience in all types of crossborder advice, the firm offers a global service in both countries. The lawyers on the Iberian Peninsula are coordinated with the teams in 12 international offices and 20 international desks, as well as through cooperating with other leading law firms with which Cuatrecasas maintains institutional relationships.

Latin America:
Cuatrecasas covers a large part of the Latin American market from its offices in Colombia, Mexico, Peru, and São Paulo. The firm’s strategy in the region is based on a flexible model that prioritises clients’ interests and adapts to the particularities of each market. The firm has over 20 years’ experience in the Latin American market and has participated in many large crossborder transactions.

Asia:
The firm advises on investments in China and other countries in the region through the firm’s offices in Shanghai and Beijing, and through its China Desk, which consists of Iberian and Chinese lawyers from different offices who assist Chinese clients investing abroad.

London & New York:
Cuatrecasas has offices in London and New York acting as liaison for clients based in the UK and North America who have interests, mainly in Spain, Portugal and Latin America. The firm’s lawyers can lead any transaction from the London and New York offices, in the client’s time zone and market, and team up with the required experts in the rest of jurisdictions to offer round-the-clock service.

European Network:
In continental Europe, the firm has consolidated the strong non-exclusive network with leading law firms in their domestic markets (Gide in France, Chiomenti in Italy and Gleiss Lutz in Germany) that allows them to provide clients seamless, integrated service on complex crossborder projects.

Africa:
The offices in Angola, Morocco, and Mozambique work with local partners to assist foreign investors in Africa, especially in Portuguese-speaking countries, as well as African investors targeting projects abroad. The firm has a large group of lawyers with extensive knowledge of the legal systems, cultures and business trends of the main regions of Africa.