Particularly well known for trade mark litigation, Bird & Bird‘s ‘versatile and flexible’ IP practice continues to act for high-profile clients, among them Monster Energy and The International Olympic Committee. Led by seasoned litigator José Miguel Lissén and trade mark prosecution specialist Mariano Santos, the team frequently handles portfolio management as well as infringement claims. Counsels Manuel Lobato and Antonio Cueto are key advisers to clients in the medical devices, pharmaceuticals, media, retail, fashion, food and sports industries. Associates Marta Arteaga and Maria Fernandez also stand out for their role in key matters. ‘Their availability and speed make them the ideal law firm for any urgent matter‘, remarks one client.

Elzaburu‘s large and versatile IP group is frequently involved in the largest and most high-profile trade mark disputes, though it also handles prosecution work through specialist partner Luis Baz. Legal and business head Javier Fernández-Lasquetty and anti-counterfeiting and anti-piracy expert Juan José Caselles also play central roles in the practice. Enrique Armijo provides essential support in unfair competition cases. Up-and-coming partner Carlos Morán and associate María Cadarso are also active in major trade mark disputes. Honorary partner Antonio Castán retired from the firm in 2023. The firm is widely acknowledged as a leader in the protection of rights at all levels, with extensive experience in acting before the higher courts, including the Supreme Court.

Noted for 'its closeness and its high technical knowledge', Garrigues is a key adviser to media, entertainment, retail and sporting entities on trade mark matters. Its work spans complex litigation, commercial contracts, M&A transactions, IP filings and the management of large trade mark portfolios. It is also sought after for large-scale assessments of the law in emerging areas such as NFTs, augmented reality and neural marketing. IP and digital business partner Carolina Pina and experienced prosecutor João Miranda de Sousa, both based in Madrid, lead the practice. Barcelona-based litigator Isabel Pascual De Quinto, who ‘demonstrates great dedication‘, and emerging partner talent Cristina Mesa in Madrid, who exhibits ‘sharp legal acumen‘, are central to the practice.

Grau & Angulo possesses a deep bench of IP lawyers for whom trade marks are a key focus. The vastly experienced Alejandro Angulo leads the practice in Barcelona, which has many up-and-coming partners. Litigator Maite Ferrandiz has notable experience before the Supreme Court. Counterfeiting and infringement specialist Carlota Viola is a key adviser to the fashion, luxury goods and perfume industries, while Jordi Camó is highly regarded for his IP litigation skills. The Madrid office is also home to key practitioners, among them Sonia Santos, who frequently handles cross-border IP matters for UK and US clients.

Gómez-Acebo & Pombo has a highly respected IP practice that is active in trade marks, designs, unfair competition, and advertising law, and stands out for its track record in the protection, enforcement litigation and licensing of brands. The lead partners are IP enforcement specialist Jesús Muñoz-Delgado and Sofía Martínez-Almeida, who has extensive expertise in online and digital issues. Martinez-Almeida also leads the firm’s retail and fashion group, while Muñoz-Delgado is a key adviser to clients in the food and life sciences sectors. At associate level, Anna Viladás Jené handles both contentious and non-contentious matters, notably in the entertainment and art industries, while Mercedes Corbal frequently advises on regulatory issues in the food sector. Gonzalo Ulloa retired in 2023.

Clients of Baker McKenzie praise its ‘dedication and identification of the particular needs in each case and for each project‘. The firm is active in the registration, protection, enforcement and commercialisation of IP, including trade marks. It is especially knowledgeable about trade mark matters in the media, entertainment, fashion, food and beverage, publicity, banking, and pharmaceuticals sectors .José María Méndez in Madrid and Cristina Duch in Barcelona are the lead partners, with Duch particularly active in trade marks, designs, unfair competition and advertising law. Also in Madrid, María Dolores Garayalde and associate Rubén Cano play key roles in the practice’s most significant matters.

Described by a client as a team that is ‘easy to communicate with and always accessible‘, Clifford Chance‘s two-partner practice is frequently involved in complex and significant matters. IP litigator and practice head Miquel Montañá and dispute resolution specialist Josep Montefusco are often instructed by high-profile clients from the media, technology, healthcare, life sciences, banking, consumer goods and sports sectors. Senior associates Sonia Sebé, who focuses predominantly on trade marks, and Adrián Crespo, who handles design disputes, are key members of the team.

The IP and trade secrets practice at Cuatrecasas is highly proficient in trade mark and infringement matters, as well as cases relating to the protection of trade secrets. The firm is a key adviser to clients in the life sciences sector, though it is also active in the IT and media industries. Albert Agustinoy in Barcelona co-leads the practice with Madrid-based Álvaro Bourkaib, who has a broad knowledge of copyright, patents, trade marks and designs. Barcelona-based IP litigator Jorge Llevat and Alejandro Negro in Madrid, who has extensive expertise in new technologies, are also standout practitioners.

‘Truly exceptional firm‘ HOYNG ROKH MONEGIER is known for its prowess in IP litigation. Its lawyers have extensive experience in unfair competition and trade mark cases at the national and European levels. Lead partners Luis Fernández Novoa and Laura Alonso, who ‘has a rare and enviable ability to take complex problems and find a simple solution‘, are highly regarded for the breadth of their IP experience, which encompasses trade mark and brand protection matters. Counsel Laura Cantero plays a key role in trade mark litigation, and associate Patricia Gutiérrez is also central to the practice’s major cases.

Uría Menéndez has a four-partner IP and unfair competition practice that provides both advisory and litigation services in relation to trade marks, including licensing and business transactions. IP and IT partner Montiano Monteagudo in Barcelona and Madrid-based partners Ingrid Pi, Borja Sainz de Aja and Carles Vendrell lead the practice. ‘They advise with a degree of depth, sophistication and strategic vision‘, remarks one client, picking out Vendrell’s ‘ability to anticipate risks and concerns that could arise in the future‘. Senior associate Francisco Javier García in Barcelona frequently acts for clients in regulated industries such as pharmaceutical, tobacco, e-commerce, IoT, software, cosmetics and fashion.

Abril Abogados is ‘very responsive and provides clear and commercial advice‘. The IP and IT boutique firm is well versed in trade mark issues, frequently handling matters before Spanish courts and the Spanish Patent and Trade mark Office. Carolina Montero, Ignacio Temiño and Patricia Revuelta lead the practice and exhibit ‘unique capacity to take on cases proactively‘. Partner Fernando Ortega and senior attorney Isabel Garcia also play a key role in the practice, which acts for companies from the TMT, automotive, and food and beverages industries in opposition actions, prosecution and cancellations.

IP boutique Balder has a dedicated trade mark practice that has an ‘innovative approach and significant added value in terms of knowledge of local laws‘. Seasoned litigator Oscar García and trade mark litigation specialist Patricia Koch lead the practice, which is formed of an internationally diverse group of lawyers experienced in the management and protection of IP portfolios. Showcasing strength in the media, food and beverage, pharmaceutical and automotive sectors, the practice is well versed in both non-contentious and contentious mandates, including opposition and cancellation actions. Olof Fickert frequently acts for German companies. Venezuelan attorney and legal translator Maria Alejandra Castillo is also recommended.

Managing partner David Gómez oversees the trade mark practice at Baylos, which is part of the 35-lawyer IP group. The firm manages the rights of more than 5000 brands worldwide, and acts for blue-chip clients in key sectors, among them the food and beverage industry. The practice is well versed in litigation matters, the trade mark aspects of business transactions, and prosecution issues. Juan Luis Gracia, who is ‘a born litigator, smart and strategic‘, and the ‘calm and methodical‘ Fernando Rodríguez are highly recommended. Ana Padial joined from Arochi & Lindner, SC in March 2023.

The ‘strategic and collaborative‘ IP practice at RocaJunyent is known for its deep expertise in trade mark litigation, though it also handles advisory work. Lead partner Javier Vázquez in Barcelona, who handles prosecution and portfolio management, has ‘a deep understanding of the needs of clients‘. Associate Elisenda Perelló in Barcelona, whose work encompasses advertising law, unfair competition and image rights, is closely involved in the firm’s key matters. Blanca Cortés is no longer at the firm.

Andersen‘s intellectual property group, which has offices in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and Seville, is ‘a benchmark in the market‘, according to one client. Trade mark and patent specialist José Garrido in Madrid is the lead partner and clients note that he is ‘creative in finding innovative legal solutions‘. His work encompasses the protection and enforcement of trade marks, including preliminary clearances and registrations, as well as opposition proceedings.

ClarkeModet is one of the oldest IP practices in Spain, and its deep bench of partners upholds its long-standing tradition for high-quality services. Trade mark strategy specialist Marta Tolón, managing director for Iberia Ignacio Gómez-Acebo, legal services director Rosario Echeverría, and trade mark prosecution manager Elsa Martín ensure that the firm is sought after for the management of larger trade mark portfolios for both domestic and international clients, and that it continues to attract high-profile contentious matters. Trade mark attorney Esther Armero also plays a key role in the practice.

At Fieldfisher, lead partner Josep Carbonell in Barcelona is the driving force behind IP work, bringing decades of experience to the protection of trade marks and inventions. Acting for both domestic and multinational companies, the team has extensive experience in the negotiation of license agreements and the transfer of industrial and intellectual property rights. The group handles trade mark registration and protection for clients in diverse sectors, among them life sciences, media, energy and retail.

With offices in Madrid, Barcelona, Alicante, Seville and Valencia, as well as desks in Brussels, China and Colombia, PONS IP manages around 10,000 protected trade marks. The firm operates a trade mark surveillance service, and handles applications, actions against counterfeits, and domain name protection issues. It frequently acts for clients in the apparel, telecoms, life sciences, automotive and pharmaceuticals sectors. Practice head Carmen González and key partner Violeta Arnaiz are vastly experienced in trade mark matters. Head of international legal affairs Isabel Cortés and emerging partner talent Ramón Moreda have ‘great technical ability and are very easy to work with‘.