Pilar Perales Joins Baker & McKenzie in Madrid as Of Counsel
Firm News
March 1, 2010
Madrid, March 1, 2010 – Baker & McKenzie has added Pilar Perales Viscasillas, who has a Doctorate in Law from the University Carlos III of Madrid and is a Professor of Commercial Law at the University of la Rioja, as Of Counsel to the Commercial practice of the Madrid office. With this new hire, Baker & McKenzie strategically expands the Commercial practice and continues to strengthen the team after the addition of Luis Casals from Gómez Acebo y Pombo in December 2009.
Perales focuses her practice on international arbitration and related issues. She is on the panel of many arbitration institutions, including the Arbitration Court of the Madrid Chamber of Commerce, and has served as arbitrators under the arbitration rules of the International Chamber of Commerce located in Paris. She is a delegate for Spain before the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) and an observer in the Working Group for the new edition of UNIDROIT Principles on International Commercial Contracts. Perales is also the author of various articles and books regarding international sales agreements, uniform international trade law, commercial contracts, corporate law and arbitration.
Perales will add her significant arbitration experience to the Commercial practice in Madrid, providing a full suite of complementary services for clients. Chaired by partner Maite Diez (Madrid), the Commercial practice includes nine partners and 35 lawyers focused on commercial and corporate counsel, including mergers & acquisitions, securities, banking & finance, financial services, corporate law and commercial contracts. They also have extensive experience in corporate reorganizations, private equity financing as well as industry work in the sectors of energy, telecommunications, real estate and pharmaceuticals.
“Baker & McKenzie is a firm with a strong global character, a pioneering spirit and a vision for the future,” said Perales. “In addition to being the first international firm established in Madrid more than 60 years ago, it has become one of the most prestigious international law firms with a focus on continued growth. The Firm’s Commercial practice in Madrid is testament to its innovation and pragmatic planning for the future. I’m exciting to join the Firm.”
Commenting on the joining of Perales, Diez said: “Pilar combines her academic background in the corporate, arbitration and commercial law areas with a thorough experience in international contracts. With her on our team, we will increase the quality of our counsel to clients. Our overall objective is to satisfy our clients’ demands in an ever-challenging global market and hiring talent such as Pilar will, without a doubt, help us achieve it.”