The strong partner-led team at A&O Shearman stands out for its ‘extensive experience’ as well as ‘commercial and operational knowledge’ of the energy sector. A host of clients, ranging from financial entities to renewable energy companies, turn to the practice for advice on M&A, project finance and contentious issues. The firm fields a deep bench dedicated to projects and energy work: ‘authentic top professional’ Ignacio Ruiz-Cámara; the ’exemplary’ Vanessa Cuellas, who assists with project development, finance and M&A in the energy and infrastructure sectors; public law specialist Pablo Mayor; Antonio Vázquez-Guillén, whose strength lies in litigation; project finance experts Charles Poole-Warren and Jimena Urretavizcaya; Iñigo del Val; and Ignacio Hornedo, who shines on corporate transactions. Senior associate Nuria Ferré is also recommended; she often acts for sponsors and lenders in the financing and development of infrastructure and energy assets.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Antonio Vázquez-Guillén: good knowledge of the sector and regulation, creative, imaginative, available.’

  • ‘A&O Shearman stands out for its extensive experience and commercial and operational knowledge of the sector, which are key to understanding the issues and problems that arise. Exceptional quality of the partners, who are always available, and of the team in general.’

  • ‘The best energy lawyers in the country are Vanessa Cuellas and Nuria Ferré. They understand the sector perfectly, control the entire business value chain, are always available and negotiate all types of contracts exceptionally.'

  • ‘Consolidated and highly experienced team with a long track record in both sponsor and lender-side advice.’

  • ‘Extensive experience, covering the widest spectrum of structures and solutions. Exemplary anticipation, availability and efficiency. Permanent updating and dissemination of knowledge in a detailed and exhaustive manner. Flexibility and creativity.'

  • ‘Vanessa Cuellas is exemplary, active, decisive and integrative.’

  • ‘Ignacio Ruiz-Cámara is one of the few authentic top professionals in the legal scene inside and outside of Spain. The firm could not have a better managing partner. Vanessa Cuellas is an excellent lawyer who is knowledgeable of the energy sector.’

Key clients

  • Banco Santander
  • Bruc Management
  • Matrix Renewables Spain
  • Citibank Europe
  • CaixaBank
  • Intermediate Capital Group
  • Acciona Energía
  • Infravia Capital Partners
  • OHLA
  • Adamo
  • Parkia
  • Repsol
  • Siemens Gamesa
  • Iberdrola
  • Cepsa
  • Matrix Renewables Spain

Work highlights

  • Advised Repsol on the sale of 25% of its upstream business (E&P Exploration & Production) worldwide, including part of the prior reorganisation that had to be conducted in order to sell the E&P business.
  • Acted for the syndicate of lenders, led by National Westminster Bank, Plc. in the granting of a €2.296bn facility to Igneo (Finerge entities) for the purposes of refinancing outstanding debt of the group which was used to finance sustainability projects.
  • Advised Igneo Infrastructure Partners on the financing aspects of the sale of the entire share capital of Parkia Spanish Holding, S.L.U., and indirectly, of its subsidiaries, to Indigo Infra, S.A.S.

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.

Ignacio Ruiz-Cámara, Charles Poole-Warren, Jimena Urretavizcaya, Vanessa Cuellas, Antonio Vázquez-Guillén, Ignacio Hornedo, Pablo Mayor, Íñigo del Val

Other key lawyers

Nuria Ferré, Emilio Martínez