Herbert Smith Freehills boosts Madrid corporate capability with strategic promotion of senior lawyer

Global law firm Herbert Smith Freehills has promoted Leopoldo Gonzalez-Echenique to partner in its Corporate division in Madrid.

Leopoldo joined the firm as a consultant in September 2015 and heads its Financial Services Regulatory practice in Madrid. Leopoldo advises wholesale and retail banking and other financial institutions – including private wealth managers, asset management and insurance companies – on a wide range of regulatory and compliance matters and financial regulatory issues affecting their businesses in Spain. He also has expertise in the TMT sector, advising on the legal impact of new technologies (such as virtual identity, blockchain and cyber risk) applied to financial entities and markets.

Prior to joining Herbert Smith Freehills, Leopoldo had careers in both the private and public sectors. He has served on the boards of several companies, including General Counsel roles in Barclays Iberia and NH Hotel Group, and as Executive President of RTVE, the state broadcaster in Spain. In the public sector, he was a State Attorney at the Ministry of Economy and Treasury and the Ministry of Interior Affairs and Security. He was also Deputy Legal Services Director at the Spanish Stock Exchange Commission. 

Since joining Herbert Smith Freehills, Leopoldo has been particularly active in formulating and leading the firm's strategic development of the banking and financial institutions practice in Madrid. He has also successfully helped the firm establish relationships with an increasing number of senior management and directors of IBEX 35 companies.

Miguel Riaño, Managing Partner of the firm's Madrid office, commented:

"Leopoldo's promotion will strengthen our client base and relationships in Spain, particularly with IBEX 35 companies and in the Banks and Insurance sectors. This is key to taking the success of our Madrid office further in the market. We have seen significant growth in our Madrid office in recent years and the appointment of Leopoldo takes the success of our Spanish offering to the next level. Our clients will continue to benefit from his vast experience and deep expertise."

Nicolás Martín, senior partner of the Madrid office, stressed the firm's commitment to retaining talent and the best professionals, an objective he feels has been achieved with Leopoldo's promotion: "He's a highly qualified lawyer, with an exceptional track record and knowledge of the financial sector."

Alexei Roudiak, head of Corporate for EMEA at Herbert Smith Freehills, commented:

"This is excellent news for our Corporate practice in Spain, the EMEA region and globally. We have significantly strengthened our corporate offering in the region in the past two years, with high-profile hires in Madrid, Paris, Düsseldorf, Dubai and Johannesburg. To better service our clients, we have also made strategic partner promotions across our European platform – the promotion of Leopoldo is an excellent example."

Established in Spain since 2009, with more than 120 professionals including 12 partners, Herbert Smith Freehills provides national and cross border legal advice to IBEX 35 companies as well as major local and multinational clients with complex and high-profile operations and disputes in Spain and the rest of the world, with a particular focus on EMEA, LatAm, Middle East, Asia and Africa.

About Herbert Smith Freehills

Operating from 27 offices across Asia Pacific, EMEA and North America, Herbert Smith Freehills is at the heart of the new global business landscape providing premium quality, full-service legal advice. The firm provides many of the world’s most important organisations with access to market-leading dispute resolution, projects and transactional legal advice, combined with expertise in a number of global industry sectors, including Banks, Consumer Products, Energy, Financial Buyers, Infrastructure & Transport, Mining, Pharmaceuticals & Healthcare, Real Estate, TMT and Manufacturing & Industrials.

http://www.herbertsmithfreehills.com/

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