SLJ Abogados

SLJ Abogados is a leading litigation boutique law firm based in Madrid. The firm is widely recognised for its strategic and technical expertise in cross-border disputes and regularly collaborates with top-tier international litigation firms. SLJ focuses on a select number of high-value, complex cases where its specialized expertise is truly needed — rather than pursuing a high volume of matters.

On May 2025 SLJ was nominated among the 10 best Spanish boutique law firms shortlisted for the 10th Expansión Legal Awards, which recognise outstanding performance in business law.

SLJ Abogados was found in 2014 and is led by managing partner Daniel Jiménez, former head of Ashurst’s litigation and arbitration practice in Madrid, with over two decades of experience in international commercial disputes.

He is joined by Álvaro Martín, head of the white-collar crime department, who previously practised at Gómez-Acebo & Pombo and Andersen, and Christian Castella, partner in the litigation and arbitration group, who spent 14 years at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer. Together, they form a cohesive and highly experienced team that delivers practical, rigorous, and client-focused solutions in high-stakes matters. The firm has another 3 lawyers who previously worked in top tier firms (Linklaters, Uría, etc.).

Our areas of practice include civil litigation, national and internacional arbitration, white collar crime and criminal defense and insolvency law.

• Banco Popular case: Representing major bondholders of Banco Popular —including Pimco, Anchorage, Algebris, and Mediobanca— in litigation arising from the bank’s resolution. The firm works in close coordination with Quinn Emanuel in this prominent cross-border dispute.
• Grifols case: Acting for short sellers Gotham City Research and GIP in complex litigation related to alleged market abuse, a high-profile case concerning investor protection and market transparency.
• White-collar defence for UBS: Acting for global bank UBS in multiple criminal proceedings over the last eleven years, involving complex financial and regulatory matters.
• Cartel damages litigation: Advising a leading industrial company headquartered in southern Spain, part of a major NYSE-listed multinational, in civil proceedings seeking compensation for harm caused by a cartel operating in the industrial maintenance sector for over 17 years.
• International arbitration (LCIA): Representing a major U.S. multinational company in an arbitration administered by the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) against a private sports entity, involving complex contractual issues.
• Hotel rent litigation: Representing major Spanish and international hotel groups —including Meliá Hotels International and AccorInvest— in litigation concerning the reduction of hotel lease payments, invoking the rebus sic stantibus clause due to extraordinary market disruptions.
• International coordination: Advising on multijurisdictional disputes in collaboration with firms in the U.S., U.K., and continental Europe, including enforcement proceedings, asset tracing, and fraud-related claims.