B&B snaps up other three members from Hogan Lovells

Bird & Bird keeps strengthening its Dispute Resolution practice in Madrid with the completion of the hiring of ex-Hogan Lovells Insurance partner and counsel, respectively, Luis Alfonso Fernández Manzano and Virginia Martínez Fernández as partners together with two associates

International law firm Bird & Bird has strengthened its Dispute Resolution practice in Madrid with two partners specialising in Insurance. They are Luis Alfonso Fernández Manzano, as announced last month by Iberian Lawyer, and Virginia Martínez Fernández (pictured left), along with two associates, all from Hogan Lovells. The whole incorporation process will be completed in spring.

The arrival of Luis, Virginia and their team is a key milestone in the firm’s strategic growth plan for the Madrid office, particularly in the Insurance and Reinsurance Regulatory area. There is a growing need for this expertise across the firm and the arrival of the new team will further promote Bird & Bird’s insurance offering within the firm’s International Dispute Resolution practice.

At Hogan Lovells, Luis Alfonso Fernández Manzano was head of the Spanish Insurance and Reinsurance practice and the Product Liability practice groups. He was also head of the Madrid Litigation practice. Luis has extensive experience in Insurance Litigation, Liability Law, Industrial claims, Insurance and Reinsurance coverage Litigation, claims handling, medical malpractice, aviation claims, professional liability, directors’ and officers’ liability insurance, cyber risks and financial services. He is also a recognised specialist in Reinsurance contracts and Regulatory aspects of the industry, as well as policy drafting and distribution agreements, Insurtech, social benefits and pension regulation.

Luis is a regular contributor of articles on Insurance contracting and regulation, as well as co-author of numerous books on liability and insurance law issues in Spain. He is also a lecturer in Insurance Law and Tort Law at the Universidad Pontificia Comillas (ICADE).

On the other side, Virginia Martínez Fernández was head of the Insurance and Reinsurance Regulatory practice at Hogan Lovells. She regularly advises clients on the interpretation of Spanish Insurance and Reinsurance and pension plan regulations, as well as on their distribution. She also has experience in the design of insurance distribution structures in Spain, drafting and negotiation of all types of insurance contracts (agency, third party administrator, intermediation contracts and reinsurance contracts) and filings with the Spanish Regulator (“Dirección General de Seguros y Fondos de Pensiones”). Virginia also has extensive experience in the design and adaptation of insurance products, having collaborated in the launch of all types of Insurance in Spain, especially mass insurance policies. She has also participated in several corporate transactions (bank underwriting alliances, portfolio transfers, mergers, VIF reinsurance operations, etc.) covering Regulatory requirements and licensing applications.

In addition, Virginia often advises clients on Litigation related to these insurance products such as professional liability claims (doctors, lawyers and architects), industrial risks, product liability, construction damage and resolution of insurance and reinsurance coverage disputes.

Joining Luis and Virginia from Hogan Lovells are associates Teresa Repullo Conde (pictured top right) and Virginia Domínguez Hierro (pictured bottom right).