Cuatrecasas was presented in London with the “European Law Firm of the Year" prize awarded by Legal Business, one of the major legal accolades that has almost always gone to British firms.

With growth of 18.6% in 2007, the firm’s earnings amounted to €224.76 million in a period characterized by its leadership in M&A operations.

Cuatrecasas has just received the European Law Firm of the Year 2008 prize from Legal Business, the specialist journal published in Great Britain. It was the only continental firm to receive an award from Legal Business, which took into account its “increased market share, a stellar financial performance, a successful recruitment strategy and client development program across the European markets in which the firm operates.”

The jury highlighted the progress of Cuatrecasas and the fact that it “has tirelessly fought market perceptions and is now strongly positioned as the leading Spanish law firm.” The award certificate underlines its role in “the biggest M&A transaction in Spain’s history – the €48 bn takeover of Endesa by Enel.” The award was collected by representatives of Cuatrecasas on February 7 in London.

Growth of 18.6% in turnover for 2007

Cuatrecasas ended 2007 with earnings amounting to €224.76 million, which in addition to being a record figure represented an increase of 18.6% on the previous year.

These increased earnings are explained in part by the large number of mergers and acquisitions in which Cuatrecasas acted as adviser in 2007. As shown by the ranking published in Mergermarket in early 2008, the firm led the field in the Iberian peninsula as regards number of mergers and acquisitions, having been involved in advising on 50 transactions of this type, thus consolidating its leadership in this category for the second year running. The total value of the

M&A operations in which Cuatrecasas acted as adviser was €63,064 million. Among these were Endesa-Enel, Metrovacesa, Fadesa, Ferrovial, Caprabo, Unedisa-Recoletos and Iberia-TPG.

Milestones in 2007: new offices and new arrivals

2007 was also a year of important milestones for Cuatrecasas, such as the full merger with the Andalusian office of Olivencia Ballester, the opening of an office in Casablanca, a presence in China through the services provided in Shanghai by the Barcelona lawyer Omar Puertas, and the opening of a virtual office in Second Life.

During 2007, eight experienced lawyers joined Cuatrecasas: Juan Manuel Ruiz Aizpuru, ex-manager of the legal department of BBVA, as a Corporate lawyer in the Bilbao office; Joan Hortalá as a partner in the Tax Department in Barcelona; Luis Murillo, an expert in Telecommunications Law, who joined the Zaragoza office; Mercedes Izquierdo as Public Law partner in the Seville office; Pepe Garrido and his team of Labor lawyers in the Madrid office; Blanca Peraferrer in the Barcelona office; Miguel Ángel Amores as director of Company Law in Madrid; and Cristian Conejero, previously at the International Court of Arbitration in Paris, as a member of the Litigation Department.

The staff of Cuatrecasas now numbers more than 1,500, of whom almost 900 are lawyers. The firm has 23 offices in nine countries and, according to the latest classification by American Lawyer, it is number 35 in the world ranking of law firms and 3rd in continental Europe as regards number of lawyers on the staff.

As a firm that places quality of advice and excellence of service above all else, Cuatrecasas obtained the following awards in 2007:

• “Best Spanish Law Firm of the Year” and “Best M&A Transaction of the Year” according to International Financial Law Review
• ”Independent European Law Firm Trophy” awarded by Décideurs Strategie Finance Droit
• ”Most Innovative Firm of the Year in Europe” awarded by Managing Partners Forum