José María Alonso joins Baker & McKenzie

The former co-Managing Partner of Garrigues, José María Alonso, is to join Baker & McKenzie in Madrid as a Partner effective March 1st.

Alonso led Garrigues between 2000 and 2009, alongside Miguel Gordillo. He helped with the integration of Garrigues with Andersen Tax & Legal in 1997 and the firm’s return to independence following the collapse of Andersen Legal in 2002.

His leadership was characterised by the dramatic international expansion of Garrigues including the formation of the Latin American alliance Affinitas, with Alonso a supporter of the closer integration of the member firms.

Recent years have seen him focus on international arbitration. He was a co-founder and President of the Club Español del Arbitraje and is currently President of the Arbitration Court of the Madrid Bar (ICAM).

Alonso stepped down from the Garrigues partnership in 2009 following the election of Fernando Vives and Ricardo Gómez-Barreda as co-Managing Partners maintaining a role as Counsel at the firm.

At Baker & McKenzie Alonso will lead the firm’s Disputes Practice in Madrid.