White & Case LLP‘s dispute resolution practice offers domestic and cross-border arbitration and litigation services, with a particular specialism in investment treaty arbitrations. The group’s capabilities to handle complex, high-value, and international matters continues to attract new and impressive clients from a range of sectors such as financial services, IT, and telecoms. Francisco Málaga and Ignacio Madalena co-lead the team and bring a wealth of experience to the department. Málaga is predominantly instructed by corporate and financial institutions on disputes arising from investments, IP, and agreements, while Madalena specialises in investor-state disputes within the energy, infrastructure, and banking sectors.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Francisco Málaga makes this practice unique. He is probably the best professional in this area of ​​litigation for his unique experience, for his years as a judge, for his commercial approach and common sense, for his advice that is always on target and, of course, for his impressive track record in results. But, above all this, there is the (priceless) feeling of tranquility that he provides, throughout the entire process, even in the most complex or uncertain ones.’

  • ‘Ignacio Madalena has proven to be a great arbitration professional. He knows all the details of arbitration processes, he is very meticulous, he has a lot of experience, and all the knowledge. Ignacio is very commercial, he explains the details very well to the client, he is proactive, and he works quickly without leaving any detail overlooked.’

  • ‘Francisco Málaga is the partner of reference. He is highly experienced in various leading law firms, with extensive professional experience. He is an accessible and pragmatic person, with great vision and understanding of what clients want and an outstanding knowledge of procedural practice and its complex mechanisms in this country. A reference lawyer, who we follow wherever he goes, for all these reasons.’

  • ‘One of the most notable strengths of this practice is its exceptional ability to collaborate with other areas of the firm, which allows for a truly comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to each matter. The team is characterised by excellent cohesion and a spirit of teamwork, which is reflected in a fluid and effective collaborative dynamic. The relationship between team members is very close, which helps to create a good communication and work environment. Francisco has managed to build a team with a great diversity of profiles without ever compromising technical quality, something that improves the service they are able to offer their clients.’

  • ‘What really makes the lawyers at this firm stand out is their unique combination of personal closeness, unwavering dedication, and exceptional technical mastery, which allows them to approach any dispute from a highly commercial and strategic perspective. In particular, Francisco Málaga and Renata Madariaga are clear examples of this approach. Both stand out not only for their warmth in dealing with clients and their ability to generate trust with clients, but also for their commitment to each case. Also noteworthy is the ability of both to integrate the technical with the commercial, a quality that in my opinion substantially differentiates them from other lawyers and firms.’

  • ‘The service provided by the firm is magnificent. Maximum seriousness, professionalism, involvement, commitment, and immediacy in the response.’

  • ‘The differential factor of the professionals of this office is the professionalism, involvement, and commitment during the collaboration and, in addition, the result of the entrusted matters. The difference with respect to other offices is the feeling that you get from dealing with them, and the conviction that you are handing the matter over to the best hands. Outstanding people include Francisco Málaga, Renata Madariaga, and Ainhoa ​​Busto.’

  • ‘The individuals stand out for their deep expertise, commitment, and collaborative spirit. Their ability to think strategically and provide alternative solutions. Clients particularly value their attention to detail, responsiveness, and ability to handle complex cases with ease. Partners like Ignazio Madalena are exceptional for their leadership and vision, while associates like Guillermo González-Molina consistently demonstrate a high level of dedication.’

Key clients

  • Republic of Albania
  • Globalvía GVIT
  • Mitsui
  • Telefónica
  • Punto Fa
  • Abertis
  • Meta
  • PayPal
  • Amazon
  • X Corp.
  • Temu
  • Caixa Geral de Depósitos, S.A.
  • Goldman Sachs
  • Norgine España
  • Bank of America Europe DAC
  • Kroll Advisory, S.L.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Francisco Málaga, Ignacio Madalena

Other key lawyers

Javier Garcia-Bermejo, Renata Madariaga, Ainhoa ​​Busto, Guillermo González-Molina