Rafael Murillo

Practice Areas

Rafael heads Freshfields' Litigation and Arbitration practice group in Spain and is a member of the firm’s Financial Institutions Disputes Group.

With nearly 30 years of experience in dispute resolution, including over 25 years at Freshfields, Rafael has built a strong reputation in the market and acquired deep expertise in managing complex commercial mandates, focusing on contractual disputes, product liability, public law, and international arbitration.

Rafael advises on refinancings, out-of-court restructurings, and insolvency proceedings. He is also a recognized expert in regulatory matters and administrative disputes involving Spanish authorities, advising on a broad range of matters governed by Spanish public law.

Rafael regularly represents major financial institutions and investment banks in both contentious and non-contentious matters and advises national and international companies across various sectors, including financial institutions, pharmaceuticals, media, and energy/renewables.

Additionally, Rafael has significant experience in antitrust litigation, defending clients against damages claims arising from antitrust infringements, including the notable Volvo Renault case in the Trucks cartel.

Career

He joins Gómez‑Acebo & Pombo in 2026 as coordinating partner.

He began his career in 1998 as an associate at a national law firm and later continued his professional development at a prestigious international law firm, where he joined as an associate in 2005. In 2025, he became a partner at an international firm, consolidating his experience in complex advisory work and leading matters across his areas of specialisation.

Professional Memberships

Madrid Bar Association