Clifford Chance
The ‘highly experienced public law team’ at Clifford Chance is well placed to advise on the regulatory aspects of major transactions involving regulated sectors, and represent clients in administrative, pre-judicial, and judicial proceedings before all authorities. The team has a strong focus on the energy, telecoms, sports, infrastructure, transport, water and healthcare isectors. Considered ’one of the most prestigious professionals in public law in Spain’, practice head Jaime Almenar is particularly active in mandates concerning energy regulation, financial regulation, public procurement, and environmental law. With a wealth of experience in regulated industries, José Luis Zamarro has a special focus on public sector finance and administrative sanctions. Administrative law specialist Carme Briera is active in the TMT and energy segments. Marc Casas regularly represents clients before public authorities, regulatory agencies and contentious-administrative courts. Clara Alcaraz left the firm in January 2023.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Clifford Chance's public law team is one of the best in the market. We value the expertise they have in public law and administrative resources, as well as the flexibility and results-oriented approach they demonstrate. They are excellent at writing and presenting the cases, the strategy and the approach. ’
‘I work mainly with Jaime Almenar, whom I consider to be one of the most lucid minds in the Spanish legal sector. He is an excellent lawyer, with a vast knowledge of public law, agile, fast and with a truly direct and pragmatic approach. He is truly a star of the legal profession. I have worked with many other lawyers and I have not found in others a mind as clear as his.’
‘For an in-house lawyer, it is essential that the firm to choose in public law stands out for its detailed knowledge of the relevant market, the institutions involved, the most relevant cases and jurisprudence in the sector and, by understanding the complexity of the matter, that it offers various alternatives. and complete strategies to face a scenario. And in all these matters, Clifford Chance stands out from other firms.’
‘Jaime Almenar, one of the most prestigious professionals in Public Law in Spain, shows great closeness and honesty when evaluating the viability of the various actions. He is capable of proposing very complete solutions with different fronts of action and carries out particularly constant and proactive monitoring of the matter, which greatly facilitates management for the in-house lawyer.'
‘The public law team at Clifford Chance Madrid is a reference in Spain. They have great knowledge about the procedures related to regulation (CNMC, Ministry, CCAA and municipality).’
‘Jaime Almenar is a reference in Public Law. He is an authority in sectors such as telecoms and energy, which allows him to contribute a lot of value in the development of new services such as electric mobility, hydrogen or hot and cold networks.'
‘This team responds perfectly to the demands and responsibility expected of a Magic Circle firm, and combines top-level coordinated advice on multijurisdictional matters along with extraordinary national strategic advice. Personally, I especially value the closeness of the two partners of the department, Jaime Almenar and José Luis Zamarro, who are always directly involved in the matters, without deviating from the management of the case by delegating it to other younger lawyers.'
Key clients
- BBVA
- Iberdrola
- Endesa
- Grenergy
- Hydeal Asturias
- British Telecom
- Norges Bank
- ACS Group (including Dragados and VÍAS)
- Cellnex
- Sacyr
- Fertiberia
- Moove Cars
- Oracle
- Delivery Hero
- Bytedance (TikTok)
- King Street, Taconic, SVP and Attestor
- Phunciona Gestión Hospitalaria
- Gestión y Técnicas del Agua (Gestagua)
- Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF)
- Griñó Ecologic
- Red Eléctrica de España (REE)
- UTE Analiza
- Abertis Mobility Service (Abertis Group)
- Ercros
- Mubadala
- Powerdot
- Acciona
- Metro Ligero Oeste
- Madrileña Red de Gas, PGGM, Gingko Tree and EDF
- Totalenergies
Work highlights
- Advised a committee of international investors (King Street, Taconic, SVP and Attestor), which control a majority stake in the financial debt of 8 Spanish bankrupt toll roads with a global financial debt of €3.5bn, on the termination of concession contracts.
- Provides comprehensive legal advice to investment firm Ares Capital and chauffeur-driven rental cars operator Grupo Moove Cars covering all fields of law (criminal law, antitrust, corporate), with a particular focus on public law and regulation.
- Part of Iberdrola's Regulation Committee, responsible for providing highly strategic advice regarding regulatory issues.
Lawyers
Leading individuals
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Jaime Almenar