CC in Madrid adds two local lawyers to its ranks

Clifford Chance's Madrid office has enticed a partner away from Arthur Andersen's Spanish firm, Garrigues Andersen.

Corporate finance partner Pablo Bieger is one of two local Spanish lawyers who will be joining Clifford Chance's Madrid office in September. The identity of the second recruit, however, is under wraps.

The hirings will consolidate Clifford Chance's status as the leading UK firm in Spain.

Its 65 Madrid and Barcelona-based lawyers have closed 22 domestic and international financings, flotations, privatisations and acquisitions between April and July.

Freshfields and Allen & Overy both have offices in Madrid but their practices are smaller at 27 and eight lawyers, respectively.

Linklaters recently failed to tempt the leading Spanish firm Ur'a & Menendez to join its new European Alliance.

Peter Cornell, Clifford Chance's Madrid-based joint managing partner in Europe, said: "Spanish lawyers believe they can do at Clifford Chance exactly what they can do at the other top Spanish practices, while also getting exposure to international work."