With trained specialists working across the full spectrum of employment law matters, market leader Cuatrecasas attracts instructions from an impressive client roster comprised of local businesses, large multinationals and public institutions operating in an array of sectors. WIth a wealth of experience advising on the labour aspects of high-cap M&A deals, the firm is also well positioned to handle large workforce restructurings, collective agreements and internal investigations. The practice is jointly led by Barcelona-based Rubén Agote, who advises on collective bargaining, company policies and employment disputes, and Juan Bonilla in Madrid, who is renowned for his experience in contract terminations, pension issues and corporate transactions. Both practitioners are well versed in acting for clients at court appellate level. Other key individuals include labour law specialist and former senior judge Jordi Puigbó and Isabel Merenciano, whose expertise covers corporate, litigation and criminal matters in this space.

Noted for its sizeable, ‘innovative team’ of ‘unbeatable people and professionals’, Garrigues is sought out by clients from across the technology, energy, finance, aeronautics and retail sectors, among others, seeking assistance with sensitive employment law matters, from restructurings to collective bargaining agreements and litigation. Department leader Rosa Zarza steers the team in a variety of mandates, including collective dismissals, reorganisations and compliance. Adriano Gómez is singled out for his extensive experience in representing clients before various labour courts, while Bernardo Pérez-Navas is especially active in workforce restructurings and collective bargaining.

Based in six major cities across the country, Sagardoy Abogados, member of Ius Laboris offers employers assistance with the full scope of contentious and advisory labour matters. The group is under the joint leadership of four practitioners: in Madrid, Iñigo Sagardoy is a key contact for international matters, while Martín Godino focuses on collective negotiations and restructurings; David Isaac Tobía manages the Barcelona office; and Juan Sebastián Medina splits his time between Malaga and Sevilla. The strong bench, renowned for its ‘experience, closeness, professionalism’ and ‘speed of response’, also includes Román Gil, who advises on collective agreements and litigation, Montserrat Alonso, a name to note for complex restructurings involving multinationals, and associate Ana Goerlich.

Uría Menéndez fields a team of employment law specialists who are well versed in the gamut of labour issues, providing advice on hiring and termination procedures, collective bargaining, remuneration issues and court proceedings. In Madrid, Mario Barros is counsel of choice for domestic and international clients in employment contracts, workforce restructurings and transactional issues, while Barcelona-based Juan Reyes regularly handles insolvency layoffs, takeovers and redundancies. The Valencia office is led by Raúl Boo, who steers the team in high-profile M&A transactions. Sergio Ponce is another name to note in Madrid for his expertise in collective bargaining and redundancy procedures. Recently promoted partner Daniel Cerrutti handles a mix of transactional matters, restructurings, C-suite issues and collective agreements. Álvaro Navarro is no longer at the firm.

Renowned for its expertise in high-value cross-border matters, boutique firm Abdon Pedrajas | Littler remains a key name in the employment space, with particular prominence in high-profile litigation. Antonio Pedrajas is a key point of contact for domestic and multinational employers seeking assistance with reorganisations, workforce restructurings and collective dismissals, while Ivan López García De La Riva is best known for his strong credentials in judicial proceedings. Restructuring and collective redundancy processes are core areas of activity for Sonia Cortés, who is a key name to note for cross-border matters. Clients from the insurance, energy and construction sectors routinely turn to Alfonso Pedrajas for advice on contentious matters. Javier Molina, who heads up the Valencia office, often acts in claims involving workplace incidents.

A stellar client roster comprising leading multinational corporations from an array of industries regularly seek Baker McKenzie's advice on the entire spectrum of employment matters, including M&A transactions, restructurings, investigations and dispute resolution. Sports law specialist David Díaz is the first point of contact in Madrid for professional athletes and clubs looking for legal support in contract negotiations, transfers and pension schemes. He oversees the practice alongside Barcelona-based Mireia Sabaté, who is active in collective terminations, restructurings, social security issues and litigation. Fermín Guardiola, another key name to note within the Madrid office, has extensive experience in the negotiation of collective bargaining agreements. Recommended for his 'practical experience and highly specialised knowledge', José Prieto is especially active in union negotiations and litigation.

With over five decades of experience, Ceca Magán Abogados' employment team continues to assist companies from the financial, energy, retail, transport, food and beverages sectors with an array of matters. Showcasing notable strength in litigation, the team is home to Enrique Ceca Gómez-Arevalillo, who is trusted by international and domestic clients seeking advice on collective dismissals, terminations of contracts, and social security issues. He oversees the practice that also features Àlex Santacana, who heads up the Barcelona office, and Madrid-based Juan José Jiménez, who is routinely engaged in major restructurings, collective bargaining matters and litigation before labour courts at all levels.

The employment group at DLA Piper provides legal support on a wide range of matters, encompassing collective bargaining, workforce restructurings, harassment, equality plans, whistleblowing, investigations and litigation. International head of the firm's employment practice in EMEA and Asia Pacific Pilar Menor is singled out by clients for being ‘among the best labour and employment lawyers’ in the country. Paz De La Iglesia oversees the employment group in Spain and is experienced in individual and collective dismissals, hiring procedures and litigation. Labour and social security law specialist Pedro Molina often handles negotiations with trade unions and the employment aspects of major transactions.

Equipped with its ‘expert knowledge’ of employment law,  Pérez-Llorca assists numerous blue-chip corporates and financial institutions with a spread of matters, ranging from day-to-day advice, to major transactions and litigation. With almost three decades' experience in labour law mandates, practice head Luis Enrique Fernández Pallarés is singled out for his strong track record in cross-border transactions and restructurings. Focused on restructuring procedures, union negotiations and remuneration schemes, Isabel Moya is another name to note for M&A deals. Laura Pérez  is a key point of contact for employment litigation. Clients also highlight the work of Daniel Cifuentes who excels in collective dismissals and bargaining arrangements.

With extensive experience in HR policies, negotiation and modification of working conditions, compliance, investigations and litigation, Allen & Overy stands out for its ‘availability, speed and ability to analyse and solve problems’. Silvia Bauzá adeptly handles the employment aspects of M&A deals and is well versed in the corporate restructuring of domestic and multinational companies. At the associate level, Ana Hernández is engaged in collective bargaining, layoffs and litigation before labour courts and tribunals, the latter of which is a key area of activity for Jose Antonio Segovia.

At CMS Albiñana y Suárez de Lezo, the employment team is retained by an impressive client base of both domestic and international blue-chip companies from across the financial services, real estate, pharmaceuticals, energy and technology sectors. The group is well versed in corporate transactions, workforce restructurings, hiring and termination proceedings, and also demonstrates strength in litigation. At the helm of the department, César Navarro assists with collective dismissals, outsourcing and M&A deals. Eva Ceca offers key support in social security, trade unions and occupational risk prevention issues.

Well-known multinationals and leading industry players, most notably pharmaceuticals and banking clients, routinely retain Deloitte Legal in a variety of labour matters, including disputes and internal investigations. Covadonga Roldán, who specialises in domestic and cross-border restructuring processes and collective redundancies, has more recently been particularly active in matters involving diversity, inclusion and the gender pay gap. Fernando Bazán brings extensive experience in collective bargaining, M&A and litigation. Fernando Ruiz De Linaza is another name to note for senior management issues, collective redundancies and workforce restructurings.

ECIJA‘s ‘integrated and collaborative team’ offers clients, particularly those within the technology, media, financial services, healthcare, aviation spaces, assistance with a wide range of labour matters. The team is home to Fernando Vizcaíno, an industry veteran and expert in judicial proceedings, Raúl Rojas, who provides comprehensive day-to-day employment advice and assistance in litigation to clients, and Carlos Martínez Cebrián.

Gómez-Acebo & Pombo handles a variety of employment law mandates, including M&A transactions, social security and contractual issues, workplace incidents, benefit structures and court proceedings. Ignacio Del Fraile, a specialist in health and safety-related matters, is regularly engaged in workforce restructurings, remuneration schemes and pension issues. The firm was reinforced by the addition of Carlos de la Torre from Baker McKenzie in November 2022; he brings a wealth of experience in social security matters. Lourdes Escassi has a keen focus on collective negotiations, individual terminations and litigation.

KPMG Abogados, Spain’s expertise spans the gamut of employment matters, including collective dismissals, equality plans, social security issues and litigation. Leadership is shared between Francisco Javier Hervas Martinez, who is noted for his skills in collective bargaining agreements, corporate restructurings and remuneration schemes, and Francisco Fernandez Diez, who predominantly handles M&A work. Blanca Mercado Grande, who joined from Ceca Magán Abogados in November 2022, possesses a strong track record in dismissals, collective negotiations and labour disputes.

With offices in Barcelona, Madrid, Girona and Tarragona, RocaJunyent is routinely engaged by start-ups, public and private sector companies, as well as high-net-worth individuals seeking assistance with a spread of employment issues. Albert Rodríguez leads the group from the Barcelona office, leveraging his expertise in restructuring, collective bargaining, compliance and bankruptcy procedures to advise clients on the entire spectrum of labour law matters. The team has welcomed two new hires at partner level: María José Sánchez joined the Barcelona office from Augusta Abogados in November 2o22, while Alberto Novoa arrived from Ceca Magán Abogados in February 2023.

Financial institutions and multinational corporations make up the client base of Simmons & Simmons, which is particularly well placed to assist with cross-border mandates. Typical engagements for the team – a popular destination for clients from the financial services, asset management, investment funds and life sciences sectors – range from M&A transactions to employment disputes. Eduardo Peñacoba is skilled in matters concerning employee benefits, corporate restructurings, and judicial proceedings, while recently promoted partner Carmen Torres often acts for national and international clients on employee transfers and compliance issues.

Squire Patton Boggs draws on the strength of its corporate, litigation and tax departments to provide a full-service employment offering to domestic and international companies. Termination of contracts, corporate immigration, labour compliance, M&A and whistleblowing matters are all core areas of activity for the group. Department leader Ignacio Regojo possesses extensive expertise in both contentious and non-contentious labour issues; social security, health and safety are other key areas of focus for the practice head. Juan Nasarre plays a key role in immigration matters, while Antonio García, who handles the entire spectrum of labour mandates, has a keen interest on issues concerning equality and discrimination in the workplace.

Clients praise Andersen's employment team for its ‘pragmatic, commercial, available and friendly’ approach. Its broad service offering covers a myriad of non-contentious and contentious issues, including M&A transactions, temporary lay-offs, collective dismissals and judicial proceedings. With over 30 years' experience in labour law, Victoria Caldevilla has is skilled in the negotiation of collective agreements and terminations. Germán Martínez assists local and international companies with collective bargaining and corporate compliance issues.

Augusta Abogados is a popular choice for several international clients operating across a wide range of sectors, most notably retail, IT, real estate and aviation. The team adeptly handles all manner of employment issues, showcasing notable strength in restructurings, renumeration issues, equity plans and harassment policies. Practice head Juan José Hita Fernández is singled out for his expertise in pension plans and corporate transactions, while Mattia Cardinali is a key name to note in the transport sector. Omar Molina Garcia joined the firm in December 2022 and has a wealth of experience in collective agreements and litigation.

Eversheds Sutherland acts for key Spanish and international companies in a variety of employment matters, with a particular focus on restructurings. The highly respected Jacobo Martínez Pérez-Espinosa stands at the helm, assisting clients with transactions and collective bargaining agreements. Focused on labour and social security law, Luis Aguilar often acts for multinationals in business restructurings and contentious matters. Dedicated to the entire array of employment matters, Beatriz Reina is noted for her ‘dynamism’.

Well versed in social security issues, compliance, workforce restructurings and litigation, King & Wood Mallesons' employment team offers legal support to international and national clients from a variety of sectors, including infrastructure and private equity. Carlos Gil’s practice encompasses both contentious and non-contentious matters, most notably contracts and renumeration strategies. Sandra De Andrés is a key contact for companies from the energy and industrial sectors, while Cristina Esteban stands out for her experience in contractual matters involving directors, top executives and professional sportsmen.

With a keen focus on international companies setting up operations in Spain, ONTIER demonstrates a strong focus on M&A transactions, collective bargaining agreements, restructurings and litigation. José María Fernández Mota routinely advises on contracts, collective agreements and modifications of working conditions, while Javier Aurelio Rodriguez Pérez specialises in administrative and judicial proceedings derived from serious or fatal accidents at work. In addition to his strong track record in transactional work, Eduardo González Biedma is a name to note for remuneration schemes and retirement plans. Luis Sánchez Quiñones is often engaged in restructurings and collective bargaining negotiations.

The employment team at PwC Tax & Legal Services stands out for its advice on social security, collective dismissals, termination of agreements, lawsuits and contract modifications. Leadership of the group is shared between Maria Eugenia Guzmán, who handles workplace investigations and restructuring processes, and Julio Calvo, noted by clients for his ‘pragmatic approach’ in the face of complex employment matters.

The employment team at Araoz & Rueda boasts considerable expertise in contentious matters, collective bargaining agreements and dismissals. Drawing on the firm's M&A and tax departments to enhance its offering, the team is well versed in transactional matters and restructurings. Head Clara Mañoso attracts instructions from a spread of domestic and international companies seeking assistance with M&A, workforce restructurings and contract terminations.

A variety of domestic and multinational clients, from aviation to financial services players, turn to Bird & Bird for advice on contentious and non-contentious employment matters. Miguel Pastur leads the team from Madrid, and is particularly knowledgeable of redundancy programmes and employee transfers. He is supported by Isabel Rodríguez León, who advises on employment contracts and internal policies, and Jorge Sanz who has substantial experience in social security issues and collective matters.

The employment team at Clifford Chance handles a mix of due diligence, disciplinary procedures, contract drafting and litigation work for a varied client base, which features names from the energy, retail, banking and life sciences sectors. Jorge Martín-Fernandez is regularly sought out by international and domestic clients for advice on employment contracts and contentious proceedings. He oversees the department with Pablo Serrano De Haro, a key point of contact for corporate restructurings and cross-border M&A transactions.

Covering collective agreements, M&A and litigation, EY Abogados provides day-to-day employment law advice to multiple corporate clients. Raúl García leads the group from the Madrid office, where he is known by nationals and multinational companies for his adept handling of dismissals, collective bargaining agreements and litigation. Miguel Prado is another key figure in the Madrid office, noted for his ‘agility, availability, precision and client orientation’, while social security expert Pablo Santos, who acts for pharmaceutical, education, automotive and retail companies, is based in Barcelona.

With offices in Madrid, Valencia and Seville, LABORMATTERS ABOGADOS leverages its national bench strength to assist clients with collective matters, workplace restructurings, and employment litigation. The practice, which is 'is made up of a group of professionals with extensive experience in labour law', is led by Alfredo Aspra Rodríguez, a key contact for domestic and international clients from the public and private sectors seeking advice on compliance, social security and occupational health and safety matters. Pedro Alonso has been particularly active in proceedings before labour courts and tribunals, and Sergio Juárez has notable expertise in collective bargaining agreements, transactions and litigation.

Drawing on its strong national footprint, Lener offers clients operating in a multitude of sectors, including healthcare, real estate, transport and shipping, assistance with restructurings, risk prevention, collective dismissals and employment litigation. Department leader Carmen Galán Fernández, noted for her ‘knowledge and diligence’, undertakes a variety of work in this space, including collective lay-offs, labour audits and restructurings. Other key practitioners include Ana Martín Oliet and Anna Amatllé López, both of whom possess extensive experience in contentious and non-contentious labour matters.

With offices in Madrid, Zaragoza, Seville and London, the team at Zurbarán Abogados offers clients national expertise and international experience. The employment group acts for a diverse client base made up of companies across a variety of sectors, including biotech, energy, real estate, who seek regular assistance with labour disputes, collective restructurings, unfair dismissals and workplace incidents. Practice head Miguel Cuéllar Portero has over 35 years of experience in this space, standing out for his strong track record in litigation.