- Juan has extensive experience in advising national and international clients in acquisition finance, real estate, project finance and restructuring transactions.
- With this addition, Baker McKenzie strengthens its transactional practice and reaffirms its leading position among international law firms operating in the Spanish market.
Leading global law firm Baker McKenzie strengthens its transactional practice with the addition of Juan Gelabert as head of Banking and Finance in its Madrid office, effective May 20, 2024.
Coming from DLA Piper, Juan Gelabert has extensive experience in the financial sector, having worked in major banking institutions and international law firms. Juan regularly advises national and international clients on financing, refinancing and restructuring transactions. He has participated in numerous acquisition, project, restructuring and structured finance transactions, advising banks, debt and private equity funds, as well as sponsors and issuers. He also has extensive experience in the sport finance sector, having advised on some of the most relevant transactions in recent years. Among the most relevant transactions in which he has participated in recent months are the financing of Espai Barça, the financing of a portfolio of solar plants in Spain and Italy developed by Alantra Solar or the financing granted to Avalon Properties for the development of several projects in the Community of Madrid.
According to Rodrigo Ogea, co-managing partner of Baker McKenzie in Spain, "this incorporation reinforces our commitment to specialized legal advice in the banking and finance area, an area of great importance in the current context. Juan's arrival to the team is a sign of Baker McKenzie's firm commitment to the Spanish market and his experience and knowledge of the financial sector will be of great value to our clients".
Juan has a law degree from the University of Cantabria and is recognized by prestigious directories such as Chambers & Partners and Legal500. Juan is also a professor of several postgraduate programs at the Instituto de Empresa (IE) and the Instituto Superior de Derecho y Economía (ISDE) and a participant in courses and conferences organized by different institutions.
Regarding his incorporation to Baker McKenzie, Juan Gelabert comments that he joins the firm "with great enthusiasm and convinced that, together with the great team I am joining, we will be at the side of our clients in the transactions in which they participate, providing first class advice. I come to bring all my experience and dedication, with full confidence that the capabilities of this team will lead us to achieve great success."
With this lateral hire, Baker McKenzie will now have 47 partners in Spain and more than 215 lawyers, making it the international law firm with the longest track record and presence in Spain