Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)

The Mergers & Acquisitions department is the biggest within our firm and a large number of our lawyers work and are specialized in this area. Our team has a solid and accredited experience in both domestic and international “M&A”. This together with the degree of specialization acquired throughout many years of work and dedication, has made our firm one of the leading independent law firms in Spain in this area, with recommendations in numerous legal directories and magazines.

Our team of “M&A” lawyers is agile, dynamic and flexible and is always led by a partner directly committed to and involved in the client’s issues and needs and with the necessary experience and capabilities to handle the most complex transactions. This enables us to be more efficient in the minimum possible time contributing to the successful culmination of the transactions we are involved in, exceeding our clients’ expectations.

We have been involved in many important national and international transactions, together with other leading law firms and companies, representing both national and international clients in sectors such as agro-alimentary, pharmaceutical, chemical and mining, telecommunications, leisure, transport and logistics, health, wind and solar energy industries, services, etc. 

Our roles in the various types of transactions include advising our industrial and financial clients, both on the buyer’s and the seller’s side, including the drafting and negotiation of contracts as well as Due Diligence in:

• Mergers and acquisitions of companies, including both public purchase or sale offers as well as asset transactions.
• Company constitution and joint-venture structuring. 
• De-merger, liquidation and dissolution of companies. 
• MBOs, MBIs, LBO´s, BIMBO´s, etc.  

Contact partner: Pedro Rueda

Request of credentials

Recommendations in legal directories:

"The team is excellent in all aspects". Under "tough and skilled negotiator" Pedro Rueda and Francisco Aldavero, who is praised for his "excellent industry knowledge", Araoz & Rueda is praised for its "clear and to the point advice" and its ability to "understand points from a technical perspective and in relation to its clients´ needs." 
- THE EUROPE, MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA LEGAL 500 2010 EDITION -

"A firm where you feel like the lawyers are close to your company, understand your situation and are working with you as a team", interviewees say. Pedro Rueda is lauded for "being so easily able to put himself in the client´s shoes", while Alejandro Fernández de Araoz is respeted by peers as "one of the best generalists in the market". Francisco Solchaga is a younger partner also recommended who has caught the eye of several clients.  
- CHAMBERS & PARTNERS GLOBAL 2010 EDITION -

Private Equity: This compact Madrid firm has a consistently strong reputation for Spanish and international private equity work. Clients have the highest praise for the practice, emphasising above all the impressive level of partner time devoted to each case, and the lawyers´ deep knowledge of the field. "They are real experts in private equity, they know everything about it". Partner Francisco Aldavero is readily identified by peers as one of the top names in the field. Partner Alejandro Fernández de Araoz is present mainly on the M&A aspects of private equity work, and is lauded as "extremely focused and intelligent." - CHAMBERS & PARTNERS EUROPE GUIDE 2010 EDITION -

Araoz & Rueda provides the kind of service that can draw clients away from the bigger firms". "Working with Araoz & Rueda was excellent", says one client. "Alejandro Fernández de Araoz and Pedro Rueda were very good, well connected and bright". It is as good a firm as you can get in the local market.
- IFLR 1000 2010 -

Generally regarded as “one of the best corporate boutiques in Spain”. Arguably the market’s most admired small firm, Araoz & Rueda is widely regarded as ‘ Spain’s finest corporate boutique, constantly punching above its weight’. Name partners Alejandro Fernández de Araoz and Pedro Rueda are the firm’s best-known corporate stars. Corporate partner Francisco Aldavero is also regarded as "a true corporate lawyer in the traditional sense, he is constantly there when you need him, and a perfect gentleman". - THE EUROPE, MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA LEGAL 500 2009 EDITION -

Corporate/M&A: This is a “splendid corporate firm that houses fantastic lawyers” interviewees say. It provides “tailor-made solutions” and also has a “striking track record for both mid-sized and large transactions”. Interviewees further highlighted its proficiency in the private equity field. Versatile lawyer Alejandro Fernández de Araoz is a “fantastic adviser for any corporate matter and is tough in negotiations.” Pedro Rueda “knows the market like the back of his hand and can adapt to his clients’ needs.”
- CHAMBERS & PARTNERS GLOBAL 2009 EDITION -

Private Equity: This Madrid firm is one of the most active players in the private equity arena, and is “appreciated by clients for having all the flexibility of a small firm, which means dedicated partner attention, and the ability to build long-term relationships with clients”. Francisco Aldavero is hailed by sources for his “incredible experience and efficiency – he knows private equity inside-out”. Meanwhile, Alejandro Fernández de Araoz is praised for his “strong negotiation skills and solid technical abilities”. - CHAMBERS & PARTNERS EUROPE GUIDE 2009 EDITION -

Francisco Aldavero and Pedro Rueda, are praised by peers for their strong work. "They are the two stars of the firm," comments one rival. "Their quality of work is great".

Clients praise the close involvement of partners in the assignments. "They have very good partners in Alejandro Fernández de Araoz, Pedro Rueda and Francisco Aldavero, and clients very much like them for their commercial vision and legal acumen". - IFLR 1000 2009 -

Nominations in EUROPEAN LEGAL EXPERTS 2007, 2008 AND 2009 EDITIONS as recommended law firm in Corporate/M&A (experts Francisco Aldavero, Pedro Rueda and Clifford Hendel).

“Highly recommended firm in M&A and Private Equity”. – PLC WHICH LAWYER? 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 AND 2009 EDITIONS –

The firm receives consistent praise from its clients for the quality of its work. Francisco Aldavero and Pedro Rueda are real leading lawyers for their practice, while Alejandro Fernández de Araoz is described as "hard working with a good knowledge of the law and a charming negotiator – very to the point". – IFLR 1000 2008 –

Corporate/M&A: "Solid transactional boutique with extremely good M&A partners and a very strong presence in the private equity market". Clients commented on their total satisfaction with Araoz & Rueda’s legal advice, which is defined by its lawyers’ "professional attitude, efficiency and careful preparation". The Lawyers: "Technically brilliant".

Alejandro Fernández de Araoz is “permanently focused on the clients’ best interests - he provides a personalised service and ensures a fast response at all times.” The “forceful and hard-working” Pedro Rueda is known for his “fantastic negotiation skills and experience” in the M&A market.
– CHAMBERS & PARTNERS GLOBAL 2008 EDITION –

Private Equity: "Pragmatic negotiators who are able to come up with imaginative solutions". This team earns client commendations for the calibre of its top lawyers. It maintains an active and constant presence in mid-sized private equity deals, often assisting venture capital entities. Sources are full of praise for the team’s combination of "excellent quality and competitive fees".

Francisco Aldavero is described as a “serious and proactive professional who knows his clients inside out, and has an excellent understanding of the economic landscape” Although best known as a corporate lawyer, Alejandro Fernández de Araoz is also an esteemed presence in private equity. Observers say: “He is highly esteemed from start to finish, and has a solid grasp of the sector”
– CHAMBERS & PARTNERS GLOBAL 2008 EDITION –

Araoz & Rueda is arguably the most admired of the smaller corporate firms; “a fantastic firm, they have managed to build up a solid reputation and establish themselves as a player at the top of the market”. Regularly punching above its weight, the firm wins praise all round, with name partners Alejandro Fernández de Araoz and Pedro Rueda standing out. – THE EUROPE, MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA LEGAL 500 2008 EDITION –

Araoz & Rueda is one of the most prominent smaller corporate firms in Spain. Highly respected partners Francisco Aldavero and Pedro Rueda have been involved in some of the most significant transactions, involving both listed and non-listed companies. – THE EUROPE, MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA LEGAL 500 2007 EDITION –

Araoz & Rueda is well known as a generalist corporate law firm, and is extremely active in M&A and Private equity. “Araoz & Rueda is strong because it is one of the few independent Spanish firms” said one lawyer in our interviews. – IFLR 1000 2007 –

Corporate/M&A: Observers describe the firm as a “terrific independent M&A and private equity boutique, comparable to the top US transactional outfits.” An “extraordinary commercial profile, first-class quality of advice and impressive track record”. The lawyers: “superb and vastly experienced M&A lawyers who are permanently focused on closing the deal” say interviewees. – CHAMBERS & PARTNERS GLOBAL 2007 EDITION –

Private Equity: This mid-sized transactional firm “continues to improve its position in the private equity arena.” In what observers describe as “an extremely successful year,” the firm “has been involved in top deals and has moved its practice one step forward.” Francisco Aldavero has “a profound knowledge of the legislation applicable to private equity transactions” and “he is able to optimise resources and focus on the important commercial and legal issues that ensure the success of a transaction”.
– CHAMBERS & PARTNERS GLOBAL 2007 EDITION –