Bio

Timo Matthias Spitzer is a distinguished legal professional with over two decades of international experience, particularly in European and Latin American markets. He currently serves as the Head of Legal for Santander Corporate & Investment Banking in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Nordic countries, based in Frankfurt am Main. In this capacity, Spitzer leads a team responsible for overseeing the legal aspects of global wholesale corporate transactions, including syndicated lending, export, trade and supply chain finance, and cash management. 

Spitzer’s legal career encompasses significant roles at major international law firms and financial institutions. Notably, he worked at Linklaters Lefosse in São Paulo, Brazil, where he honed his expertise in cross-border legal matters. In 2015, he joined Banco Santander, where he has been instrumental in driving the Frankfurt branch’s commercial growth, contributing also to a doubling of the legal team’s size. 

Throughout his tenure at Santander, Spitzer has provided legal support to various sectors, including Technology, Media, and Telecommunications (TMT), Energy, Infrastructure, and Consumer Retail Healthcare. He has played a pivotal role in significant transactions, such as advising Sociedad Transmisora Metropolitana SpA (Grupo Saesa) and Mareco Holdings Corp on acquiring a 99.42% stake in Enel Transmisión Chile through a Mandatory Public Tender Offer valued at US$1.4bn. Additionally, he participated in the team acting as financial advisor to CKD Infraestructura México on equity stakes in three of Coconal’s toll road concessions, amounting to MX$3.5bn. 

Beyond his legal practice, Spitzer is a recognised thought leader and educator. Since 2018, he has served as an adjunct professor for International Trade & Export Finance / International Economic Law at the Frankfurt Institute for Law and Finance (ILF). Since him joining, the ILF has continuously been recognised as a Global Top 10 Master program in banking and securities law by LL.M. Guide, ranking alongside institutions like Harvard Law School and Oxford. 

Spitzer’s contributions to the legal profession have been acknowledged through various accolades. He was included in The Legal 500 Powerlists for General Counsel Germany in 2017, 2019, 2022 and GC Germany Teams in 2018. In 2018, he received the Santander Group Global WiseLegalSpeakers’ Award. His leadership and expertise were further recognised when he won both the European Counsel Award and the Global Counsel Award in 2019, reflecting his outstanding contributions to the field. In 2024, he won the In-house ESG Champion category at The Legal 500 Germany Awards and the Carsted Rosenberg General Counsel of the Year for Nordics Award.

A proponent of the power of global networking, Spitzer leads an international legal team at Banco Santander, comprising professionals from diverse backgrounds, currently including Mexico, Turkey and Venezuela. His commitment to fostering an inclusive environment underscores his dedication to excellence and progressive leadership.

Spitzer is also an active participant in international legal and business communities. He has continuously represented Santander at conferences organised by the Financial Times and The Economist. In 2023, he addressed delegates from over 20 financial institutions at the Inter-Alpha-Banking School held at Commerzbank, sharing insights on leadership and cultivating a high-performance culture.

In summary, Timo Matthias Spitzer exemplifies the qualities of a highly effective general counsel, seamlessly bridging European and Latin American markets. His profound impact on his employers, the legal profession, and his commitment to diversity and education highlight his exceptional career and enduring contributions to the field.