![Carlos de Cardenas Smith](/cdn-cgi/image/width=256/https://www.legal500.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2019/04/CCS.png)
Banking and finance
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
![Carlos de Cardenas Smith](/cdn-cgi/image/width=256/https://www.legal500.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2019/04/CCS.png)
![Pedro de Rojas](/cdn-cgi/image/width=256/https://www.legal500.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2023/04/2to1-deRojasPedro.jpg)
Hall of fameLatham & Watkins LLP
Mr. de Rojas leverages his deep knowledge of the restructuring process and a sophisticated understanding of an evolving insolvency landscape to guide multinationals, investors, and financial institutions on:
Designing restructuring solutions, including converting debt into equity or equity-like instruments
Implementing restructuring plans using the most efficient legal regimes
Liaising with stakeholders across the capital structure
He approaches complex transactions with a strategic, commercial mindset and unlocks Latham’s global platform to devise bespoke client solutions.
A recognized thought leader, Mr. de Rojas regularly speaks on insolvency topics at industry events, including for INSOL. He is also a visiting professor at Instituto de Empresa (IE) and Universidad Cardenal Cisneros.
Before joining Latham, Mr. de Rojas spent 20 years working as a banking and restructuring lawyer at the Spanish office of a Magic Circle law firm.
![César Herrero](/cdn-cgi/image/width=256/https://www.legal500.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2023/07/11294_1212936.jpg)
![Jesús Zapata](/cdn-cgi/image/width=256/https://www.legal500.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2023/07/11294_1213306.jpg)
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
![Rafael Aguilera](/cdn-cgi/image/width=256/https://www.legal500.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2020/07/Rafael-Aguilera-CV.jpg)
![Alfredo Barona](/cdn-cgi/image/width=256/https://www.legal500.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2023/07/13257_1157073.jpg)
Hogan Lovells US LLP
Banking and finance partner, Alfredo Barona has a strong track record in this sector. His practice covers many areas within the banking and finance sector, such as corporate finance, asset finance, project finance, real estate finance, and restructurings.In recent years, Alfredo has led some of the major deals in the Spanish financial sector.
![Miguel Lamo de Espinosa](/cdn-cgi/image/width=256/https://www.legal500.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2020/07/Miguel-Lamo-de-Espinosa-Abarca-CV.jpg)
![Verónica Romaní](/cdn-cgi/image/width=256/https://www.legal500.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2020/07/Veronica-Romani-Sancho-CV.jpg)
![Íñigo Rubio](/cdn-cgi/image/width=256/https://www.legal500.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/02/IRL_WORD.jpg)
Hogan Lovells US LLP
Having participated in some of the most relevant finance transactions in Spain, Hogan Lovells partner Jose Luis understands all players' needs and concerns and has the ability to build consensus amongst them. Working in English, Spanish and Portuguese, Jose Luis focusses his practice on structured finance, securitization deals, energy and infrastructure project finance, acquisition finance, real estate finance and insolvency and debt restructuring.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
![Ildefonso Arenas](/cdn-cgi/image/width=256/https://www.legal500.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2020/07/IAA_Directorios.jpg)
Pérez-Llorca
lldefonso Arenas advises financial institutions, debt funds, private equity entities and large groups of companies on all kinds of financial transactions, including acquisition finance, corporate finance, project finance, real estate finance, issuance of bonds with private placement, restructurings and distressed debt transactions.
![Vanessa Armas](/cdn-cgi/image/width=256/https://www.legal500.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2022/04/Vanessa-Armas-CV.png)
![Luis Belart](/cdn-cgi/image/width=256/https://www.legal500.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2020/07/Luis-foto-buena-a-color.jpg)
![Fernando Colomina](/cdn-cgi/image/width=256/https://www.legal500.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2023/07/18634_1216900.jpg)
Latham & Watkins LLP
Fernando Colomina advises borrowers and lenders on complex financing structures in cross-border M&A and private equity transactions, particularly leveraged buyouts.
Mr. Colomina helps banks and other financial institutions, sponsors, and corporate borrowers and issuers implement innovative international structures in the Spanish market.
He approaches each transaction with creativity and versatility, drawing on extensive experience across the financing spectrum. Mr. Colomina unlocks the resources of Latham’s global platform to connect clients with the right tools for each financing, regardless of jurisdiction.
He also frequently works with the high yield team to seamlessly execute bank/bond financings.
A recognized thought leader, Mr. Colomina annually serves as an editor for Business Research’s The Acquisition & Leveraged Finance Review, as well as the author of its Spanish chapter.
Leading associates
Rising stars with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
![Luis Sánchez](/cdn-cgi/image/width=256/https://www.legal500.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2023/04/2to1-SanchezLuis.jpg)
Latham & Watkins LLP
Luis Sánchez Mendez represents domestic and international clients in a range of complex finance transactions, including private equity acquisition financings, leveraged buyouts, and restructurings.
Drawing on his sophisticated knowledge of the needs of both sides of financing transactions, Mr. Sánchez delivers broad-based counsel to creditors, companies, and investors. He brings particular experience in domestic and cross-border debt restructurings, as well as investments by specialized investment funds in distressed assets.
Mr. Sánchez’s practice includes:
Acquisition and leveraged finance
Alternative financing and direct lending
Banking
Corporate lending, take-over bid financing, and loan markets
Distressed investing and debt trading
Real estate financing
Restructuring, insolvency, and workouts
Structured finance
Mr. Sánchez regularly writes about banking and restructuring topics for prominent publications, including Revista de Derecho Concursal y Paraconcursal, Revista de Derecho Bancario y Bursatil, Cinco Días, and El Economista.