Freshfields appoints a Spanish Head of Global Tax

International law firm Freshfields has appointed Silvia Paternain from their Madrid office as the new Head of the firm’s global tax practice.

A Partner since 2004, and Iberian Lawyer 40 under forty award winner, Paternain specialises in corporate cross-border transactions and tax aspects of structured finance and tax leveraged products. She has advised on some of the market’s most complex international deals involving Spain, and is actively involved in the restructuring of the Spanish financial sector.

Succeeding Colin Hargreaves, who will go back to focusing on client work, the appointment is for four years and has taken immediate effect. Paternain will remain based in Madrid and manage the global group of 50 Partners, Consultants and Counsel and around 100 Associates worldwide.

According to the firm, the appointment reflects recognition of the work of the Spanish office. This follows DLA Piper’s recent appointment of Spain’s Juan Picón as its Managing Director of Groups & Sector.