Career Biography

Laia Macià Usua is a qualified lawyer admitted in New York and Spain. She began her professional career in the United States of America at a law firm based in New York City where she worked in litigation and real estate Law matters. 

She then moved to Barcelona to join the finance department of Clifford Chance as an associate lawyer. During her 7 years in Clifford Chance, Laia was involved in corporate finance, acquisitions, real estate and project finance transactions. She also participated in M&A transactions and the related due diligence processes. 

After her experience at Clifford Chance, she worked for almost a decade in Abengoa, S.A. (now Cox Energy). Abengoa was a listed company in the Spanish stock Exchange (IBEX- 35) that developed its business around engineering and construction activities, concession-type infrastructures and industrial production. In Abengoa, she was responsible of the legal-finance area within the group’s corporate legal department and her duties included the resolution of legal requests from different business groups in Spain and abroad, as well as the drafting, supervision and negotiation of different contracts on project finance and capital markets transactions. 

She also worked for several years as Director of the Legal Department and Secretary of the Board of Directors of Grupo DIR, a group of companies in the health and fitness sector in Barcelona (Spain), advising on all legal aspects of the group, with special emphasis on the areas of real estate law, commercial law and general contracting (corporate restructuring, leasing, supply, mandates, insurance, sponsorship, collaboration agreements, financing, franchising, leasing/renting, among others). 

At that time, Laia was included in the Legal 500 GC Powerlist: Iberia Teams (2019) 

She also worked as a Senior Lawyer in the renewable energy company Alfanar Energia based in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia). 

In 2021, she joined the media group Prensa Ibérica Media, as the Head of Legal Department and Compliance Officer. 

Prensa Ibérica Media is a leading Spanish media group known for its strong focus on local and regional journalism. It employs around 2,500 professionals Its portfolio includes 27 newspapers, 71 local chronicles, various magazines, and television channels. The companies within the group provide diverse services such as digital news, audiovisual content creation, advertising, and event management. 

Presently at Prensa Ibérica Media, Laia manages a legal team of skilled lawyers and she advises on all legal aspects of the group such as corporate, media, advertising, commercial, litigation, digital, trademarks and intellectual property and she has been involved in different strategic transactions so her role has allowed her to become a real business partner for this media group.