Chambers Europe Guide 2025
Araoz & Rueda has 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, pharmaceutical companies and real estate developers.
«The team provides clear and concise advice, with a very quick turnaround»
«Araoz & Rueda always takes time to answer questions, consistently adding value to our business»
Clara Mañoso routinely handles collective dismissals, individual terminations and contract negotiations.
«She is always ready to help and to answer questions»
«We highly recommend Clara»
«It is a pleasure to work with Clara»
«Clara Mañoso is an expert in labour matters. She is responsible, effective and attentive to the client»
«Clara Mañoso is excellent. The quality of her work is perfect»
The EMEA Legal 500 2025
Araoz & Rueda‘s employment practice has a robust offering which covers senior management contracts, collective and individual dismissals, as well as restructuring, disputes, and collective bargaining agreements. The team is capable of handling both domestic and cross-border employment matters and continues to attract new clients from the luxury and fashion, infrastructure, and private equity sectors. Lead partner Clara Mañoso stands out for her expertise in employment issues arising from M&A transactions, collective procedures, and representation before the labour courts.
Testimonials
‘Araoz & Rueda’s real estate practice is distinguished by its personalised approach and deep knowledge of the Spanish market.’
‘What makes them unique in this area of practice is their ability to adapt to complex projects, maintaining a high level of agility and efficiency in each operation.’
‘They have the perfect combination of solid technical experience and negotiation skills. They also anticipate problems and propose innovative solutions.’
‘They advise us on labour issues, hiring, and any other problem that may arise with employees. They are very friendly and always willing to help and advise from a very practical point of view.’
‘Clara Mañoso is great professionally and personally. A wonderful person.’
Chambers Europe Guide 2024
Araoz & Rueda has 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, pharmaceutical companies and real estate developers.
«The law firm has provided high-value and approachable services and expertise. I work with the lawyers as if they were part of my own team.»
«The firm has true experts with a holistic approach and very detailed analysis.»
«The team allows for direct attention and knowledge of various subjects, addressing the problems of the company. It is a multidisciplinary team who coordinate perfectly to handle issues.»
Clara Mañoso routinely handles collective dismis-sals, individual terminations and contract negotiations.
«I find Clara’s experience, knowledge and ded-ication impressive. You always want to have her in your team.»
«Clara is an excellent labour law professional. She is always available and has precise and personalised answers. We have managed to build a relationship of trust.»
«She is an extraordinary professional.»
The EMEA Legal 500 2024
The employment team at Araoz & Rueda boasts considerable expertise in contentious matters, collective bargaining agreements and dismissals. Drawing on the firm’s M&A and tax departments to enhance its offering, the team is well versed in transactional matters and restructurings. Head Clara Mañoso attracts instructions from a spread of domestic and international companies seeking assistance with M&A, workforce restructurings and contract terminations.
Testimonials
‘Responsive and friendly lawyers who speak English well.’
‘Clara Mañoso is responsive, commercial and a delight to work with. I would work with her again.’
‘We received high level service for a specific issue, with practical advice to quickly solve our problem. Clara was quick to respond to our questions and provide advice and documents as needed.’
‘Knowledge of the client’s business; attention to detail; quality in the result.’
‘Clara Mañoso and her team are market leaders.’
‘Responsive team and clear advice. They anticipated all possible speed bumps along the way.’
‘Clara is very experienced and has good and deep international experience. There was no issue with language or communication skills at all.’
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
Clara Mañoso routinely handles collective dismissals, individual terminations and contract negotiations.
«She is very flexible and always trying to find the best solution for her client.»
«She is scrupulously dedicated.»
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.
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.
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.»
