Banking and finance

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP

Client Satisfaction

Sought out for its expertise in a vast array of banking and finance matters, including acquisition finance, project finance, real estate finance and restructuring deals, Herbert Smith Freehills LLP attracts regular instructions from banks, debt funds, corporates, as well as investment and private equity funds. Practice head Armando García-Mendoza oversees a wide range of transactions, with a focus on energy, infrastructure, and real estate finance. Sergio Cires specialises in project and corporate finance, while Beatriz del Rey is particularly known for her work on distressed and loan portfolio deals. Carmen Jara is a key name in acquisition finance, restructuring, and real estate and project finance.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘Without a doubt, one of Herbert Smith Freehills' main strengths and one of the main reasons why we work with them is the access to the core team (partners) and their dedication to the matters at hand. A top-level team, one of the best in the market.'
‘Mainly their knowledge and experience. This undoubtedly makes it easier to negotiate any type of business. In addition, and as mentioned in the previous point, the availability of the entire team. I highlight Armando García-Mendoza.'
‘The HSF Spain team, headed by Beatriz del Rey, has a team that has the capacity to provide legal advice in all situations (from simple to complex). They all have a lot of experience and extensive knowledge. Collaboration is very good. They are part of the top five best practices in Spain for advising on transactions with a high level of complexity.'
‘Dedication, extensive knowledge, a lot of experience and transparency.'

Key clients

Stirling Square Capital Partners
Santander Totta
Archer Hotel Capital
Banco Santander
FCC
CaixaBank
J.P. Morgan Securities
Magnum Industrial Partners
Península Capital
Societe Generale
Banco Sabadell
BBVA

Work highlights

Advised Stirling Square Capital Partners on €153m financing by Ardian, Goldman Sachs, and Bank of Ireland for the acquisition of Gestión Tributaria Territorial and the refinancing of its existing debt.
Advised Banco Santander and Banco Santander Totta on Spanish and Portuguese law aspects of financing for Bondalti Chemicals’ takeover of Ercros, including drafting and negotiating relevant financing documents.
Advised a pool of domestic banks on the financing of two of the major LBOs executed with the past years in Spain granted to Cartera Ceres (now Grupo Serveo) for the purposes of acquiring"Ferrovial Servicios" from Ferrovial; and acquiring, on a further stage, "Sacyr Servicios" from Sacyr.