Freshfields appoints new managing partner for Madrid office

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has appointed David Franco as its new Madrid managing partner.  The appointment, effective from 1st May, will run for a three year term.

David succeeds Iñaki Gabilondo, who has been in the role for five years. He will combine his new role with that of corporate partner in the Madrid office.

Iñaki, who will continue to lead the banking and finance practice in Spain, says: “The past five years have been really interesting and a time of challenges.  The markets have seen unprecedented change during a difficult economic period and businesses both in Spain and abroad have faced strong pressures.  During these complex times we have been able to help our clients overcome difficulties and also taking advantage of opportunities.  I’m sure that in this new period, under David’s responsibility as managing partner, the tradition of professional excellency, which is one of our distinctive  characteristics, will continue.”

Commenting on his appointment David said, “the change of managing partner in Spain is a natural process within Freshfields.  Our strategy will continue to be in the same direction of providing premium services to our clients when it matters most to them in a context of increased international and competitive legal services.”

Global Managing Partner David Aitman added ‘I would like to extend my thanks to Iñaki for all that he has done in his time as Madrid managing partner.  His expert guidance has been invaluable in successfully steering our Madrid office through deeply challenging markets. 

‘I would also like to thank David for agreeing to take over from Iñaki.  His talents, skills and experience are ideal for the job of maintaining and developing the excellent market position our Madrid office enjoys.’

Profile

David is a partner in the Corporate practice, having joined Freshfields as an associate in 2000.  He became a partner in May 2007.  He specialises in M&A, public takeovers, corporate restructurings and securities work, advising both domestic and international clients.  Recent experience includes advising Barclays on the sale of its retail banking business in Spain to CaixaBank; Cepsa on the acquisition of Coastal Energy and Colonial on its debt restructuring and refinancing.

David has been highly commended by FT Innovative Lawyers Awards in two occasions: in 2012 ‘for creating an unprecedented structure in the Spanish private equity market on the sale of Telecable’; and in 2010 for leading ‘the advice on the first ever acquisition of a Spanish savings bank, Caja Castilla-La Mancha (CCM), by a commercial bank, Liberbank,’ which marked the beginning of the financial sector restructuring in Spain.