Chambers Europe Guide 2023
Araoz & Rueda enters the Highly Regarded rankings this year backed by a strong market presence in employment mandates. The team is well placed to assist with the termination of employment contracts resulting from insolvency proceedings. It further represents clients in court when it comes to dismissal lawsuits. Its client list comprises domestic tech players, hotel investors and real estate developers.
«It’s a very engaged and available team. They are always committed to finding proper solutions for their clients regardless of the complexity of the situation.»
«The team has always been able to adapt to my schedule and my needs.»
Chambers Europe Guide 2023
Collective dismissals, furlough schemes and M&A-related employment cases are regularly handled by Alfonso Suárez.
«His level of experience, knowledge and attention to the processes in which he has participated were brilliant.»
«He’s highly experienced and knowledgeable. He has a deep understanding of the required approach in any circumstances.»
The EMEA Legal 500 2023
The employment team at Araoz & Rueda is particularly noted for the hiring and dismissal of employees and senior executives, the implementation of social and economic policies, and the negotiation of collective bargaining agreements, with a recent uptick in temporary lay-off advice as a result of the pandemic. Alfonso Suárez and Clara Mañoso, who was promoted to partner in January 2021, co-head the practice, with combined expertise in contentious and non-contentious labour law issues.
Chambers Europe Guide 2022
Collective dismissals, furlough schemes and M&A-related employment cases are regularly handled by Alfonso Suárez of Araoz & Rueda. One client lauds Alfonso as an «excellent negotiator with extensive knowledge of the business environment.»
Clara Mañoso of Araoz & Rueda rises in the rankings following her involvement in various employment law mandates. She routinely handles collective dismissals, individual terminations and contract negotiations. Clients describe Clara Mañoso as «agile and committed.»
The EMEA Legal 500 2022
Araoz & Rueda’s employment practice excels in all manner of senior management negotiations, and the team also frequently acts in collective dismissals, bargaining agreements and due diligence for transactional matters. After her promotion to partner in January 2021, Clara Mañoso now co-leads the practice alongside Alfonso Suárez.
Testimonials
‘Quality, speed and personalized service.’
‘Alfonso Suarez: exceptional legal quality of his work, proximity and availability, ease in explaining complex legal concepts, decisive.’
‘Clara Mañoso: excellent availability, speed and legal approach.’
Chambers Europe Guide 2021
Alfonso Suárez heads the team at Araoz & Rueda and advises on the dismissal of top managers and handles negotiations for the introduction of new collective agreements. He also assists with cases relating to the termination of agency agreements. One
interviewee praises his «perfect knowledge of our legal position,» while another notes his ability to provide a «strategic vision that goes beyond the labour law.»
Clara Mañoso plays a supporting role in the firm’s varied contentious and non-contentious employment mandates. Sources say that «she stands out for her command of the technical topics and her ability to respond quickly.»
The EMEA Legal 500 2021
The restructuring of Michael Kors Spain, as well as a range of work for new domestic clients in the context of the Covid-19 lockdown in Spain, were standout highlights in 2020 for the employment team at Araoz & Rueda.
Alfonso Suárez’s broad practice covers the hiring and dismissal of senior executives, modification of employment conditions, workforce restructuring plans and negotiating collective bargaining agreements and strikes. The partner-level team expanded with the promotion of Clara Mañoso to the partnership in
January 2021.
Testimonials:
“High qualification, client orientation and professionalism”
“The team is very knowledgeable, has strong customer centricity and acts as genuine trusted advisers”
“Alfonso Suárez and Clara Mañoso for their excellent treatment, availability and good focus on the issues”
“Next to the knowledge of their profession, the professionalism, I would like to mention why I loved also working with Araoz & Rueda: All lawyers spoke perfect the English language – Thank you!
“Always available”
“I never had the feeling to be a number. There is a human contact”
“Great reactivity. Alfonso and Clara always strive to anticipate business needs beyond legal requests sent to them. They are great partners”
“We collaborate with Alfonso and Clara. They stand out for their incredible reactivity during the summer or the weekend, which makes them very reliable advisers”
Chambers Europe Guide 2020
Alfonso Suárez of Araoz & Rueda is known for his experience in collective redundancies. Clients draw attention to his negotiation skills. Clients consider associate-to-watch Clara Mañoso of Araoz & Rueda to be «very responsible.» She regularly assists with workforce restructurings and other employment issues arising from transactions.
The EMEA Legal 500 2020
The employment practice at Araoz & Rueda covers a wide range of work, including the hiring and dismissal of workers, the implementation of workforce restructuring plans, negotiating collective bargaining agreements and strikes, and contentious labour matters.
The team has experience advising on the employment aspects of corporate transactions; recent highlights include advising Avanza on the acquisition of Basque coach company Transportes Pesa. The ‘highly experienced’ Alfonso Suárez leads the practice.
Testimonials:
“The team has an excellent ability to adapt Spanish labour legislation for use in other jurisdictions”
“The team has a highly experienced partner in Alfonso Suarez. We work with Araoz & Rueda only on complex cases or labour matters related to M&A”
“The analysis is always very complete and detailed and the focus is always very intelligent”
Chambers Europe Guide 2019
Araoz & Rueda’s Alfonso Suárez offers expertise in negotiations with unions, individual dismissals and the employment aspects of M&A transactions. Sources recommend him for his «exceptional management of labour law and extreme sensitivity to the needs of the client.» According to clients, Clara Mañoso of Araoz & Rueda is «extremely knowledgeable and a pleasure to deal with.» She supports clients in the negotiation of
working conditions and in collective dismissals.
The EMEA Legal 500 2019
Araoz & Rueda has ‘significant expertise’ in the sector and provides ‘personal attention with detailed analysis of the situation and associated risks’. The ‘knowledgeable and effective’ practice is led by counsel Alfonso Suárez, who is particularly experienced in contentious employment matters. The team recently assisted Consolis Group with the closure of its Spanish branch, and represented the US Department of Justice in a dispute with Comisiones Obreras, related to the collective dismissal of a group of workers from the Rota naval base. Other key clients include DHL, Grupo Avanza and Alvana Ventures.
Chambers Europe Guide 2018
What the team is known for most active on the implementation of redundancy plans and on related litigation. Advises on the negotiation and execution of senior management contracts and handles due diligence in support of M&A transactions, particularly for companies in the food and beverage sector.
Clients value the team for its «capacity, extensive knowledge and real accessibility.»
One source says: «They advised us skilfully on countless doubts or requests we had and they accompanied us whenever necessary.»
Work highlights Acted for Grupo Emperador on the labour aspects of its acquisition of a brandy distillery in Jerez de la Frontera.
Alfonso Suárez assists with corporate transactions, claims brought by trade unions and issues relating to the hiring and termination of senior management. He is valued for his «very high technical knowledge, effectiveness and client service,» with one source adding: «He has a calm presence and facilitates reaching agreements.»
Clara Mañoso has experience in litigation and advising on the employment aspects of transactions. Clients report: «Clara is decisive, effective and establishes arguments with conviction, as well as being polite, respectful and good at anticipating any possible
situations in advance.»
The EMEA Legal 500 2018
Araoz & Rueda is regularly instructed by clients in the retail, spirit and food sectors,
on contentious and non-contentious matters. In the finance space, it recently acted for
Spanish-based private equity fund Black Toro Capital on labour matters relating to its
acquisition of Marypaz. Of counsel Alfonso Suárez, who has ‘exceptional knowledge, solid
experience and commercial skills’, heads the team.
Chambers Europe Guide 2017
Most active on the implementation of redundancy plans and on related litigation. Also handles due diligence in support of M&A transactions.
Strengths: clients are impressed by the firm’s “ability to negotiate with the unions and provide good advice in difficult situations”.
“They are thorough in their advice but are also practical in that they don’t allow excessive detail to affect the practicality of their service”.
Clients praise Alfonso Suárez’s negotiation skills and say that he “goes the extra mile to support my business in terms of providing relevant practical information”. He acted for Pelican Rouge Coffee Solutions on a redundancy procedure and on negotiations for the modification of working conditions.
The EMEA Legal 500 2017
Alfonso Suárez heads the team at Araoz & Rueda, which recently advised Brightstar 2010 Mobile on two redundancy procedures involving over 100 employees. Other clients include the Becara Group, Orpea Group and British Foods.
Chambers Europe Guide 2015
«I cannot praise the lawyers highly enough; they are always absolutely clear, precise and punctual».
Alfonso Suárez often assists Spanish clients with collective dismissals and company restructurings. He is also known among peers for his supporting role on corporate transactions.
Chambers Europe Guide 2014
“The lawyers show rigour, make a deep analysis of all different perspectives and are always at your service”. Alfonso Suárez is singled out for his experience in collective redundancies.
Chambers Europe Guide 2013
Sources say: «Great level of partner attention. The lawyers are always there for us and provide constant support.» Alfonso Suárez leads the team. One client described him as «hands-on, completely available and solution-oriented. I feel comfortable and well protected with him.»
The EMEA Legal 500 2012
Araoz & Rueda’s small but robust practice is led by Alfonso Suárez, «a true star» and «one of the best lawyers in his field in Spain».
Chambers Europe Guide 2012
The compact employment team at this full-service Spanish firm receives consistent praise from market observers and peers. Sources say: «Excellent knowledge, fast and great in negotiations». Practice head Alfonso Suárez is «highly experienced and meticulous. He has a lot of initiative and is outstanding in court».
Chambers Europe Guide 2009
Department head Alfonso Suárez is described as «a master in his field» and is highly regarded for his preparation on a case and close ties with his clients.
Chambers Europe Guide 2008
“The firm always delivers value for money and is punctual” say observers. “Vastly experienced” Alfonso Suárez is praised by clients for his “splendid strategy during trials”.
Chambers Europe Guide 2007
Important Spanish corporate clients unanimously recommend the labour law practice of this firm. Interviewees valued the team´s “experience and excellent job co-ordinating international employment issues” and praised the lawyers´ “exhaustive analytical methodology, negotiating skills and capacity to meet strict deadlines”. Partner Alfonso Suárez leads the firm´s employment practice and collected market praise for his “outstanding preparation, track record and detailed analysis of the issues.”
