Freshfields appoints new managing partner for Spain

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has appointed Álvaro Iza as the new managing partner for Spain, based in Madrid, replacing Davis Franco who held this position for seven years

The appointment, effective from 1st December, will run for a three-year term.

Álvaro (pictured) joined Freshfields in 2000 as a lawyer specialising in Antitrust, Competition and Trade (ACT) law, and became a partner in May 2008. He has worked in Freshfields’ London and Brussels offices and leads the ACT practice group in Spain. Álvaro has a law degree from Universidad Complutense de Madrid and a master’s degree in EU and Competition Law from Universidad Carlos III de Madrid. He will combine his new role as managing partner with his work as ACT partner in the Madrid office.

Commenting on his appointment, Álvaro Iza says: “I am honoured to be taking over this role from David, assuming the responsibility that it represents, at a time of great challenges and opportunities in Spain and worldwide. With the support of our excellent teams in Spain and around the world, we will continue to guide our clients whenever and wherever they need us, upholding the highest levels of excellence. Our unwavering dedication to our clients and our commitment to digital transformation, sustainability, talent management and diversity will guarantee the continued success of our business.”

“On behalf of the firm, I would like to thank David Franco for his many years as managing partner in Spain,” says Markus Paul, Regional Managing Partner for Continental Europe at Freshfields. “I am now delighted that Álvaro Iza is taking over from David. With his many years of experience, Álvaro will continue to drive our business in Spain forward together with the rest of the team in Madrid and beyond. We all look forward to working with Álvaro in his new role.”

David Franco, who will continue as a partner in the Global Transactions (Corporate) department in Spain, said: “The past nearly seven years have been very challenging, at both the local and the international level. The pandemic has placed adversities before us and we have been able to accompany our clients through a cycle of complex situations, facing unprecedented difficulties but at the same time seeing opportunities. I am sure that the tradition of professional excellence which is one of our distinguishing characteristics will remain strong as we enter this new period with Álvaro as managing partner.”