Clifford Chance fields a highly specialised global financial markets practice, comprised of ‘lawyers with extensive experience, expertise and international perspective’. A ’go-to for financing transactions in Spain‘, the team is adept at handling innovative and high-value banking and finance matters, ranging from syndicated lending to asset finance, project and real estate financings, debt restructurings and refinancing mandates, on behalf of lenders and borrowers. Commercial and investment banks, corporates, sponsors and funds regularly turn to the team for assistance with sophisticated, cross-border matters, benefitting from the firm’s UK and US law capabilities. Practice head Eduardo García handles a spread of transactional matters for banks, multilaterals, investment funds and corporates, but particularly stands out for his in-depth knowledge of fintech. With extensive experience in multijurisdictional matters, especially financings involving Latin America, José Guardo frequently advises on project finance, asset deals and export and trade finance. Structured finance and restructurings are core areas of activity for Epifanio Pérez, while Rodrigo Uría – singled out for his ’outstanding technical capabilities accompanied by a good dose of pragmatism and emotional intelligence‘ – focuses on both transactional and regulatory matters in the financial services sector. Eugenio Fernández-Rico is a key contact for asset finance deals in the aviation industry and project finance in Spain and Latin America. Felipe Font and María Sabau, who were recently promoted to partner, are other noteworthy practitioners in the banking and finance area.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Rodrigo Uría is a dedicated lawyer with outstanding technical capabilities accompanied by a good dose of pragmatism and emotional intelligence, which makes him one of the most complete lawyers in his practice in Spain. Rodrigo constantly supports his team in solving problems.’
‘Team of lawyers with extensive experience, expertise and international perspective.’
‘They are the go-to for financing transactions in Spain. Especially impressed with their project finance and infrastructure financing capabilities. Commercially focused legal advice, driving the deal to get it done - we go to them with our most complicated deals and they get them done for us.
‘José Guardo - dual (UK and Spain) qualified - is the only lawyer one needs for complicated infrastructure and project financings in the Spanish market. He is exceptional.’
‘The team is very connected to each other. From the partner to the junior lawyer, they are familiar entire transactional process.'
‘Qualities that make them stand out: high technical capacity and experience; ability to make the deal come to fruition making the client's interests a priority; commitment to the client and the transactions. I would highlight Felipe Font.’
‘Availability, experience, technical knowledge.’
‘The banking team has great knowledge of the subject, a lot of availability and a very remarkable client service.’
Key clients
- European Super League
- CaixaBank
- Natixis
- Banco Santander
- Morgan Stanley
- Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank
- EQT
- Pemberton Asset Management
- Codere
- Brookfield
- Värde Partners
Work highlights
- Advised CaixaBank as agent and a syndicate of Spanish and international financial institutions as lenders on the five-year extension to Cepsa's €2bn multi-currency revolving credit facility, and the amendment of the financing to link it to key environmental and social indicators.
- Acted for the global coordinators, arrangers, bookrunners and lenders on the senior secured financing for an amount of €1.7bn granted to the developer and manufacturer of metal automotive components Gestamp Automoción.
- Advised Cellnex on a capital increase of €1.352bn, which was fully subscribed by CK Hutchison and entailed the circulation of more than 27 million new Cellnex shares to be traded on the continuous market.
Lawyers
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.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Eduardo García