Distinguished for representing some of the world’s leading brands, Clifford Chance‘s litigation and arbitration department frequently acts for major international corporations, high-net-worth individuals, investment funds, and venture capital firms. The team is well equipped to advise on commercial litigation, restructuring and insolvency, international arbitration, as well as regulatory and investigations matters. Arbitration proceedings are a particular strength for the team that regularly cooperates with other offices as part of the international arbitration group. Madrid-based veteran lawyer Fernando Irurzun heads up the department and boasts considerable experience representing clients in high-profile cases before courts at all instances. Ignacio Díaz De La Cruz specialises in investment and contractual disputes and also leads the LATAM practice in Spain, frequently coordinating with the firm’s Washington office. Miquel Montañá and Josep Montefusco are also notable; both lawyers are based in Barcelona and lead the team that focuses on IP disputes. Fernando Giménez-Alvear is a reference for insurance-related contentious issues.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘It is a very balanced team in which all lawyers stand out for their high qualifications, their empathy when it comes to understanding clients' problems and the businesses in which they operate, as well as their commitment to the issues and their good work.’
‘The partner, Fernando Irurzun, and one of the associates, Borja Pérez Puente, stand out especially.’
‘The team led by Fernando Irurtzun carries out a thorough study of all matters and has the great ability to adapt the approach to the type of court before which they must act. They have a great ability to discourage the client from suing in those cases where it would be wrong for the client to sue.’
‘In the field of national and international arbitration, the Clifford Chance team (under the direction of Fernando Irurzun) is one of the best we have worked with, their experience and work capacity are exceptional, and their treatment of the client is exactly the same. It is appreciated the simplicity with which they explain the problems that litigation can raise and also the solutions they propose, they give a lot of security.'
‘The closeness, the technical preparation and the effectiveness in the processing of matters. As a notable partner I have to point out Fernando Irurzun, and associates Eduardo Hernández and Borja Pérez-Puente.’
‘The Clifford Chance team prepared impeccably for the hearings. They spent considerable time preparing the witnesses, making them aware of the particularities of each process, and intervening in a timely manner whenever required.’
‘Very prepared lawyers, knowledgeable about the case, its strengths and weaknesses. Ignacio Díaz de la Cruz did an impeccable job in that regard.’
Key clients
- A22 Sports Management, S.L.
- Aalberts Ibérica, S.A.U.
- Airbus Group (Airbus S.E.; Airbus Defence and Space, S.A.U.; Airbus Helicopters, S.A.S.)
- Aleática
- Ariana Management Corporation S.A.C
- Athletic Club
- Banesco Holding Latinoamérica, S.A.
- BDO Auditores, S.L.
- Comap, S.A.
- Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles, S.A.
- Constructora Queiroz Galvão S.A.
- Crea Madrid Nuevo Norte, S.A.
- Ernst & Young España
- European Super League Company, S.L.
- Fútbol Club Barcelona
- Grenergy Renovables, S.A.
- Guadalmesí Paradise, S.L.
- HSBC Bank plc
- Ilustre Colegio de Abogados de Madrid (Madrid Bar Association)
- Indra Sistemas, S.A.
- Instalaciones Inabensa, S.A. (Abengoa Group)
- L'Oréal España, S.A.U.
- Moncobra, S.A.
- Mutua Madrileña Automovilista, Sociedad de Seguros
- Nokia Spain, S.A.
- Patentes Talgo, S.L.
- Real Madrid Club de Fútbol
- Rimond Middle East General Contracting, LLC
- S.A. de Obras y Servicios, Copasa
- Samsung Electronics Iberia, S.A.U.
- SEEIT GAS, S.L.U.
- Siemens Rail Automation S.A.U.
- Sociedad de Explotación Turística Pierre et Vacances España, S.L.U.
- Steag GmbH
- Torre Caleido, S.A.
- Unibail Rodamco Westfield
- Vestas Eólicas, S.A.U.
- Vingroup (Vingroup Joint Stock Company; Vintech Technology Development Joint Stock Company; Vinsmart Research and Manufacture Joint Stock Company)
- Vodafone España, S.A.U.
- Vodafone ONO, S.A.U.
Work highlights
- Advising the European Super League on legal proceedings against UEFA and FIFA requesting a declaration that they are abusing their dominant position in the European football market, preventing free competition and imposing unjustified restrictions on access to the market.
- Advising and representing ALEATICA in a civil litigation against OHL to claim the payment of a debt arising from a price adjustment clause under a credit assignment agreement signed between the parties when ALEATICA was part of the OHL Group.
- Advised and represented Crea Madrid Nuevo Norte, S.A., an SPV developing the largest real estate project in Spain (Operation Chamartin) in a by-law arbitration brought before the Madrid Court of Arbitration by the minority shareholders (Merlin Properties and San José), in which they requested the annulment of certain amendments to the by-laws adopted in a general shareholders' meeting of the company.
Lawyers
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Fernando Irurzun