A&O Shearman‘s dispute resolution department continues to be a dominant force for litigation advice in Spain. In addition to arbitration and special situations practice, the firm also houses strong corporate and financial litigation teams, covering contentious matters arising from shareholders, joint venture and post-M&A disputes, as well as corporate and contractual controversies. The offering takes a multijurisdictional approach, regularly coordinating with the firm’s offices in Paris, Luxembourg, Brussels, Hong Kong, and New York. Standing at the helm of the team is Antonio Vázquez-Guillén, who currently represents numerous investors in investment ECT (Energy Charter Treaty) claims against the Spanish government and is a key point of contact for major financial institutions in insolvency and white-collar crime cases. Other key names to note include Javier Mendieta, who focuses on disputes related to real estate, construction, and M&A, and Javier Castresana, an expert in financial litigation. Counsels Emma Morales and José Luis Terron are also active key members.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘Good relationship with other firms in pre-litigation environments, which helps to achieve an amicable solution. The team has good relationship with authorities, good knowledge of the sector and creativity to seek alternative solutions’
‘Antonio Vázquez Guillén is the responsible partner and, in addition to a good knowledge of the sector and regulation, he has had commercial ability to seek a negotiated solution to what, otherwise, would have become a lawsuit. Qualities: commercial vision and creativity.’
‘The A&O Shearman litigation team perfectly combines great technical quality and unique procedural skills with great client empathy.’
‘José Luis Terrón stands out for his great technical quality, his strategic vision and his ability to put himself in the shoes of his clients, perfectly understanding their needs.’
‘Ability to focus on what is relevant and resolve complex issues. Both Antonio Vázquez Guillén and José Luis Terrón demonstrate, in particular, great availability and quick response. ’
‘A&O Shearman's litigation team is especially agile in its responses. This speed is not contrary to the existence of a deep analysis in their responses. The firm's proficient in especially complex matters that require the involvement of various teams.’
‘Antonio Vázquez Guillén is especially brilliant in designing attack and defence strategies in complex matters. Its coordination with NY teams makes dealing with the matter much easier for a Spanish company.’
‘A&O Shearman is distinguished by the legal level of the lawyers who understand the practice and their approach to business law, by knowing how to advise the client and offer them the alternative that they believe best suits their needs.’

Key clients

Repsol
Iberdrola
Bridgepoint
Banco Santander
EDPR
Cepsa
DIA
FCC
OHLA
Acciona
Globalvia
Mubadala
BBVA
Abarca Companhia de Seguros

Work highlights

Acting for Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A., as majority shareholder of Distrito Castellana Norte, S.A. (currently named Crea Madrid Nuevo Norte, S.A.), in an arbitration brought by the two minority shareholders, Merlin Properties Socimi, S.A. and Desarrollos Urbanísticos Udra, S.A.U. (a subsidiary of Grupo San José) against Distrito Castellana Norte, S.A.
Acted for over 30 international investors in 12 ECT claims against the Kingdom of Spain.
Represented Mubadala / IPIC in the international arbitration arising out of the termination of the sponsorship agreement entered into between IPIC and Real Madrid Club de Fútbol in October 2014.