Banking & Finance | Europe

Allen & Overy houses an excellent banking and finance department based in Madrid. The team regularly advises lenders on large acquisition finance transactions, including leveraged buyouts. With the presence of Charles Poole-Warren and its strong UK office, Allen & Overy is well positioned to assist with English law-governed transactions in Spain, especially in cases of the refinancing of syndicated loans. Furthermore, the law firm is appreciated for its notable strength in real estate and project finance mandates, with a particular experience in energy sector transactions. Additionally, clients benefit from a growing presence in regulatory mandates, including the restructuring of entities, digital payment services and M&A transactions. Its prowess in advising well-known borrowers as well as lenders makes Allen & Overy a great choice for a diverse clientele.

Clifford Chance is superbly positioned within both the Spanish and international landscape with its hugely respected banking practice. The law firm advises on the financing or refinancing of energy and infrastructure projects across Spain and Latin American jurisdictions. Furthermore, the department is held in high esteem due to its capabilities in acquisition and corporate finance transactions as well as debt refinancing and ESG-linked loans. With its experience in assisting prestigious borrowers and lenders alike, the team is well placed to advise a broad spectrum of clients and mandates. Thanks to its English-qualified lawyers and excellent international network, Clifford Chance is frequently mandated for cross-border matters and foreign law-governed transactions concerning Spain.

Garrigues's outstanding team is regularly sought after for its expertise across the full spectrum of banking and finance mandates. The department is especially known for its prowess in advising on significant project finance agreements that facilitate energy and infrastructure developments in Spain and abroad, including those with ESG components. Furthermore, Spanish corporates and banks appreciate the firm's strength in refinancings, acquisition and asset finance transactions. The law firm complements its holistic offering with its presence in finance regulatory mandates, especially those pertaining to the authorisation and setting up of new investment vehicles and M&A transactions.

Linklaters houses a top-tier banking and finance practice with excellent bench strength. The department is heavily involved in leveraged buyouts and refinancing transactions, and often advises large lending syndicates or financial sponsors on high-value finance transactions. The department additionally assists with the negotiation of credit facilities that incorporate sustainability targets for borrowers. Furthermore, Linklaters assists major Spanish corporates with various transactions ranging from the refinancing of debt through to new project finance transactions in the renewable energy sector. The law firm complements its services with its expertise in standalone regulatory mandates for banks and financial services companies, advising on EU-wide regulations, compliance in M&A matters and market entries. The team is also active in project finance.

One of Spain's top law firms, Uría Menéndez houses a highly established banking and finance practice. The department boasts considerable expertise in distressed finance mandates, including standout mandates on the lender side of high-profile debt restructuring operations. Additionally, clients benefit from the firm's prowess in handling complex NPL portfolio sales and large acquisition finance cases. The team is regularly appointed to act for lenders on the negotiation of syndicated loans in favour of Spanish borrowers, with proven experience in real estate, hospitality and energy project finance mandates. Uría Menéndez is a top choice for a broad spectrum of clients and mandates.

As one of Spain's leading banking and finance law firms, Cuatrecasas regularly handles large and highly complex mandates for its prestigious clientele comprising Spanish corporates, capital funds and banking syndicates. The practice has a proven track record of representing debtors in major refinancing and debt restructuring matters, with additional experience acting for lenders and financial sponsors. Cuatrecasas is particularly renowned for its excellence in infrastructure and energy project financings across Spain. The firm has further expertise in NPL transactions and corporate financings. The highly regarded fund formation team sits within a broader financial services regulatory practice that advises on M&A deals, the establishment of local branches of European entities or the launch of new products as well as cryptocurrencies. Due to its presence in the UK and Latin America, Cuatrecasas is particularly well positioned to assist with international mandates.

With its expertise across the full spectrum of banking and finance transactions, the department at DLA Piper is often mandated by key Spanish and foreign banks. Clients regularly seek advice on refinancings, debt restructuring and acquisition finance deals, especially those in the mid-cap sector. The team assists with syndicated loan facilities, having additional experience in high-value mandates that entail the refinancing of major Spanish borrowers. The team complements its strong services with its further expertise in the financing of energy and infrastructure sector projects across Spain and Latin America. The Madrid-based department also offers UK law expertise.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is a sought-after law firm with expertise across the full spectrum of banking and finance law. The team is particularly active on high-value financing deals that typically have international components, aided by Freshfields' excellent cross-border capabilities. The team further boosts its offering with its prowess in handling acquisition and asset finance transactions as well as refinancings for private equity clients and banking consortiums.

The Spanish law firm Gómez-Acebo & Pombo houses a strong banking and finance practice. The team enjoys a particularly strong reputation for its capabilities in complex energy and infrastructure finance projects as well as debt refinancing and restructuring. While mostly acting on behalf of investment banks, commercial banks and hedge funds, the firm is also sought after by Spanish corporates. Gómez-Acebo & Pombo supplements its strong service offering with additional prowess in handling asset and acquisition finance transactions.

The Madrid-based department of Hogan Lovells is well reputed in the Spanish banking and finance world, with the team being particularly praised by prestigious international lenders as well as borrowers for its strength in acquisition finance mandates. The law firm also offers strength in LBO and project financings, especially in the energy sector, as well as complex debt restructurings. Hogan Lovells often attracts attention for its ability to handle mid-cap lending transactions. With its expansive international network, the team is able to assist with multi-jurisdictional mandates.

Jones Day offers strong acquisition finance capabilities, having acted both for lender syndicates and for key private equity funds. The law firm also assists with complex debt refinancings and has expertise in advising borrowers as well. The firm complements these services with its further abilities in project finance facilities, especially those pertaining to renewable energy and real estate across various jurisdictions. With a strong Madrid office and a solid international presence, Jones Day remains an attractive choice for cross-border mandates.

Latham & Watkins houses a well-reputed banking and finance practice. The department is recognised for its involvement in complex and often international financing transactions. The team regularly advises well-known international lenders such as capital funds and investment banks as well as borrowers on acquisition and corporate finance and refinancings. Its excellent international network further assists with cross-border mandates.

Pérez-Llorca houses a respected banking and finance team. The firm enjoys a strong standing among well-known lenders for its expertise in refinancings, debt restructuring and corporate and asset financings. Additionally, clients benefit from Pérez-Llorca's prowess in handling real estate and construction related financings. The team also offers project finance expertise on large energy-related transactions, especially in relation to renewables. Both national and international clients feel well taken care of by the firm.

White & Case is appreciated for its growing banking and finance practice in Spain that rises in the rankings this year as a result of strong market support. The Madrid-based team advises international financial institutions and corporates on various transactions including acquisition and project financings as well as investment-grade financings. Furthermore, clients benefit from the team's strength in facilities agreements and loan refinancings. The firm also utilises its excellent international coverage, allowing the effective handling of cross-border mandates.

Baker McKenzie is a global law firm, with its Madrid-based team regularly handling the Spanish law aspects of international transactions. The team assists with acquisition financings and refinancing projects, acting on behalf of well-known national and international borrowers and lenders. Baker McKenzie also enjoys a strong standing in debt restructuring mandates and asset financings including large renewable energy projects. Clients also benefit from the firm's increasing experience in regulatory matters including fintech and MiFID II.

Dentons advises banks on multi-jurisdictional banking and finance transactions. The team is particularly active in the handling of real estate acquisition, mid-cap corporate , export and syndicated financings. The firm boosts its service offering with further strength in asset finance and large debt restructurings. The firm also assists public authorities with sovereign financing and relevant transactions. Dentons' international office network further facilitates the effective handling of complex matters.

Watson Farley & Williams enjoys a strong reputation for handling large energy project finance matters, especially those in the renewables sector. The law firm also assists with asset finance transactions and real estate deals as well as refinancings and corporate financings. Its clientele comprises well-known banking syndicates and capital funds as lenders as well as corporate borrowers. Aided by its large office network, the team regularly handles cross-border mandates, which makes it a great choice for clients seeking comprehensive and multi-jurisdictional advice.

Spanish law firm Cases & Lacambra is recognised for its varied banking and finance practice. The team regularly advises on project and acquisition financings, especially those involving the real estate sector, where its clientele consists of well-known Spanish banks and international investors. Additionally, the firm assists with debt refinance deals and revolving credit facilities. Operating from Madrid, Barcelona and Andorra, Cases & Lacambra offers services across Spain and the EU.

ONTIER acts on mid-sized banking and finance transactions. The law firm advises on various transactions from projects and debt financings to credit facilities. It also demonstrates prowess in handling refinancings in the renewable energy sector, with the team acting for Spanish lenders and borrowers. Operating from its offices across Madrid, Oviedo, Santander and Sevilla, the firm is an attractive choice for clients seeking comprehensive coverage, while its international network also facilitates the handling of cross-border mandates.

Pinsent Masons advises on various banking and finance mandates, acting predominantly for key lenders. The law firm offers expertise in acquisition and corporate financings as well as commercial real estate and infrastructure project finance transactions. While predominantly advising lenders, Pinsent Masons also assists borrowers, who all benefit from the international reach which further augments the firm's offering.

Spanish law firm RocaJunyent advises clients on various banking and finance mandates ranging from acquisition finance and construction-related financings to mid-sized corporate and debt restructurings. The law firm supplements its offering with additional abilities in regulatory issues. Its client roster comprises Spanish and international corporates and financial institutions, rendering it a solid choice for lenders and borrowers alike.