LAWYER PROFILE

Carlos de Cárdenas Smith

Europe 2026

Uría Menéndez

Ranked in 2 practice areas

Banking & Finance

Spain

20 years ranked

Restructuring/Insolvency: Restructuring

Spain

12 years ranked

About

Provided by Uría Menéndez

Practice Areas

Banking and Finance, Restructuring and Mergers and Acquisitions.

Career

Carlos de Cárdenas joined Uría Menéndez in 1989 and is a partner of the firm since 1998. He was resident partner of the firm’s New York office for three years, after which he returned to the Madrid office. Between 1995 and 1996 he was an international associate at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP in New York. Carlos is the head of corporate group of Uría Menéndez.

Carlos has over 30 years of experience advising banks, domestic and foreign companies, mainly industrial.

Carlos focuses his practice on M&A, banking and finance (corporate lending, LBOs, asset finance and project finance) and restructuring. He has been involved in many of the most significant finance and restructuring transactions in Spain.

Professional Memberships

Madrid Bar Association.

Personal

Languages: English.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Chambers European Guide

Banking & Finance - Spain

Senior Statespeople

Individual Editorial

Carlos de Cárdenas Smith is an historically well-reputed banking and finance practitioner in Spain. He holds expert knowledge advising borrowers and lenders on financing agreements and capitalisation, as well as on restructured financing.

Learn more about this team View ranking table

Restructuring/Insolvency: Restructuring - Spain

Senior Statespeople

Individual Editorial

Carlos de Cárdenas Smith has longstanding expertise in restructuring mandates. He handles refinancings and debt reorganisations. This is complemented by wider strength in banking and finance mandates, making him a strong choice for complex transactions.

Learn more about this team View ranking table

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Carlos has unparalleled knowledge and vision, combined with a responsiveness that is always very agile. He is simply the best possible option for this type of transaction.
Restructuring/Insolvency: RestructuringChambers European Guide
Carlos de Cárdenas Smith is a lawyer with vast experience and prestige in the sector.
Restructuring/Insolvency: RestructuringChambers European Guide