Spain’s legal community continues to exemplify innovation, integrity and excellence on the global stage. This year, as the country demonstrates remarkable resilience following recent severe weather events, we extend our support and admiration for its strength and recovery efforts.
In this spirit of perseverance and commitment, Best Lawyers® proudly presents the 2025 editions of The Best Lawyers in Spain™ and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Spain™, celebrating the nation’s leading legal professionals and promising new talents.
These editions reaffirm our commitment to recognizing exceptional legal professionals and connecting clients with trusted expertise.
Excellence in Every Vote: Best Lawyers' Unique Selection Process
Every honoree in The Best Lawyers in Spain represents more than just skill—they embody the trust and respect of their peers. This trust is cultivated through a meticulous evaluation process that stands as the gold standard in peer-reviewed recognition.
It all begins with nominations, which are open to those who have witnessed exceptional legal work firsthand—colleagues, clients or other legal professionals. These nominations spark the journey of identifying those who have set themselves apart.
The evaluation then passes into the capable hands of current Best Lawyers honorees, who are uniquely qualified to judge their peers within the same practice areas and regions.
These seasoned professionals weigh in on the question at the heart of our methodology: “Would you confidently recommend this nominee if you were unable to take on a case yourself?” Alongside their ratings, evaluators provide detailed feedback, adding valuable context to the process.
To maintain the integrity and fairness of the selection, Best Lawyers incorporates rigorous measures designed to ensure evaluations reflect true merit. These efforts guard against potential biases, ensuring that the recognition highlights those whose work genuinely stands out within their communities.
The result? A carefully curated list of Spain’s most distinguished legal talents—individuals who have not only excelled in their fields but have also earned the admiration and confidence of their peers.
Highlights from the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in Spain
The 17th edition of The Best Lawyers in Spain recognizes 5,104 distinguished legal professionals, representing the top 3.31% of Spain’s legal industry. This year, 479 new lawyers were recognized, showcasing a blend of fresh perspectives and seasoned expertise.
Additionally, 201 exceptional lawyers also earned the prestigious “Lawyer of the Year” title, a testament to their unmatched contributions in their respective fields.
The fourth edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Spain continues to spotlight early-career professionals. This year we honored 1,004 aspiring leaders, with 288 lawyers receiving the accolade for the first time.
Spain’s legal community continued to demonstrate robust engagement in this year’s peer-review process, with 256,693 evaluations analyzed for The Best Lawyers in Spain and an additional 54,765 for Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Spain. This high participation reflects a collective commitment to spotlighting and maintaining excellence within the profession.
The geographical distribution of honorees reflects the strength of Spain’s legal talent across the country. Madrid leads as the primary hub, followed closely by Barcelona, Valencia and Bilbao. These metropolitan centers not only house the highest concentration of awardees but also serve as key contributors to the nation’s dynamic legal industry, showcasing expertise in a diverse range of practice areas.
Top Practice Areas
The Best Lawyers in Spain awards recognize expertise across the country’s most vital legal disciplines, reflecting the nation’s evolving legal and economic landscape.
Corporate and Mergers & Acquisitions Law leads as Spain’s top practice area, reflecting its vital role in driving business innovation and economic growth. Upcoming legislation, including the “Start-up Law,” aims to support entrepreneurship by requiring start-ups to demonstrate market competitiveness and employ at least 60% of their workforce in Spain to access benefits.
Meanwhile, the “Create and Grow Law” mandates electronic invoicing for all transactions by early 2025, promoting transparency and operational efficiency. Adding to this is the new Central Registry of Beneficial Ownership, which enhances corporate accountability by requiring businesses to disclose their controlling entities and keep these records current.
These legal developments underscore the increasing need for specialized counsel, with Corporate and M&A lawyers playing a critical role in helping companies stay compliant while capitalizing on these regulatory changes.
Litigation, another cornerstone of Spanish law, has seen heightened activity due to disputes arising from regulatory shifts and increased corporate scrutiny. Legal professionals in this area are key players in resolving conflicts efficiently while safeguarding clients’ interests.
Tax Law maintains its prominence, with specialists addressing Spain’s multifaceted fiscal framework. Lawyers in this area are critical in helping businesses and individuals navigate compliance while adapting to changes such as digital tax reforms and increased transparency requirements.
Labor and Employment Law continues to evolve alongside Spain’s workforce. Recognized lawyers in this field provide essential guidance on workplace rights, collective bargaining agreements and compliance with evolving labor standards.
Rounding out the top five is Banking and Finance Law, reflecting Spain’s strong financial sector. Lawyers in this field are indispensable for facilitating international transactions, advising on complex agreements and ensuring alignment with regulatory frameworks.
Rising Practice Areas: Growth Over the Last Three Editions
The past three years have witnessed significant growth in The Best Lawyers in Spain editions in fields such as Arbitration and Mediation, Real Estate Law, Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Corporate Governance and Compliance Practice. This growth aligns with Spain’s efforts to modernize its economy and address emerging challenges.
Arbitration and Mediation have gained traction as efficient alternatives to litigation, especially as cross-border disputes become more frequent.
Real Estate Law mirrors Spain’s vibrant property market, driven by urban development and international investment.
Meanwhile, Insolvency and Reorganization Law has expanded due to economic uncertainties, requiring legal professionals to guide businesses through restructuring and recovery.
The emphasis on corporate transparency and accountability has propelled growth in Corporate Governance and Compliance Practice. As businesses adapt to increased regulatory oversight and new reporting requirements, legal professionals are central to ensuring adherence while fostering ethical practices.
This area also reflects a global movement toward responsible corporate governance, positioning Spain as a leader in implementing these standards.
These expanding practice areas demonstrate how Spain’s legal community continues to rise to the occasion, addressing both the challenges and opportunities presented by an evolving regulatory and economic landscape.
Gender Inclusion: A Step Toward Equity
The 2025 edition highlights Spain’s ongoing progress in gender inclusion across the legal profession, with several practice areas achieving near gender parity or even a female majority. Defamation Law, Partnership and Professional Malpractice Litigation each feature an even 50% representation of women among their honorees, showcasing balanced participation in these fields.
Family Law Mediation leads among areas with a female majority, with 58% of recognized professionals being women, while Retail Law follows closely with 60% female representation. Immigration Law further underscores this trend, with 62% of recognized lawyers being women.
Notably, Closely Held Business Practice reached a significant milestone, with 100% of its awardees being women, underscoring the growing influence of female professionals in shaping Spain’s legal landscape.
Discover Spain’s Leading Legal Professionals
For over four decades, Best Lawyers has served as a trusted resource connecting clients with exceptional legal talent while celebrating the achievements of outstanding lawyers worldwide. This tradition continues as we honor the professionals who exemplify expertise, integrity and innovation across the legal field in The Best Lawyers in Spain.
Whether you are a client seeking trusted guidance, a lawyer expanding your professional network, or a member of the legal community celebrating the achievements of your peers, Best Lawyers remains your partner in elevating the standards of excellence in law.
Visit our Find a Lawyer page to discover the 2025 honorees shaping Spain’s legal future and join us in recognizing the nation’s most distinguished legal professionals.
