Soler Tappa reelected to lead HSF Kramer Spain
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer has reelected Eduardo Soler Tappa as managing partner of its Spanish office, extending his executive leadership for a further three years until 31 May 2029. The renewal comes at a significant moment for the firm, which in 2025 completed its merger with the US firm Kramer Levin to form Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, a global legal practice with operations spanning Europe, Asia Pacific and the United States.
Soler Tappa took over executive leadership of the Spanish office in May 2023. A State Attorney on leave of absence, he has been with the firm since 2010 and combines his management role with practice in the Litigation and Arbitration department, where he focuses on regulated sectors, particularly energy. He is listed as an Eminent Practitioner in Litigation Elite by Chambers Europe.
One of the most significant developments during his tenure has been the tie-up with Kramer Levin. Announced in November 2024 and completed on 1 June 2025, the combination created Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, which counts more than 2,700 lawyers across 26 offices in Europe, Asia Pacific and the United States, with combined revenue exceeding $2 billion. The integration has the goal of strenghtening the firm’s capacity to advise Spanish clients on cross-border transactions and disputes, adding a US platform to the firm’s existing UK and Australian footprint.
Partner growth in Madrid
Under Soler Tappa’s management, the partnership of the firm has expanded, with lateral hires including Sergio Cires in Finance and Jaime Bofill in Insurance Litigation, alongside Esteban de Santos Smith in Corporate/M&A who joined after the HSF Kramer combination. Internal promotions to partner during this period included Alejandra Galdos, Marcos Fernández-Rico, Guillermo Uriarte, Miguel Fraga and Miguel García-Casas, while Iria Calviño was named co-head of ESG for the Europe, Middle East and Africa region. The Madrid office now counts 18 partners and more than 150 lawyers and other professionals.
The Spanish team forms part of the firm’s EMEA structure and has played a role in a number of energy disputes stemming from cuts to renewable energy subsidies, as well as bilateral investment treaty arbitrations and proceedings with links to Latin America and the Middle East.
For the new term, the firm said it plans to pursue selective growth focused on complex transactions and disputes, reinforcing its positions in energy, corporate and arbitration work, and extending to Spanish clients the benefits of the firm’s transatlantic reach following the Kramer Levin merger.
