Alicia Franch

Within Baker McKenzie's Criminal Law department, Alicia Franch plays a key role in handling complex and high-profile cases, particularly in the area of economic and corporate crime. Her practice encompasses a wide range of criminal proceedings, including extraditions, European Arrest Warrants, and domestic litigation, where she is known for her strategic litigation skills and procedural precision. Alicia frequently advises on corporate compliance frameworks, helping clients mitigate legal risks and align with regulatory standards. Her work is especially focused on offenses such as tax evasion, subsidy fraud, and crimes involving public administration and corporate governance. She is also deeply involved in trial advocacy, from drafting and filing criminal complaints to conducting cross-examinations and managing expert witness testimony. Her practice reflects a strong integration of legal rigor and practical insight, particularly in cases involving environmental liability, labor-related offenses, and protection of cultural heritage.

Compliance

• We have advised an international construction company in the revision of its whistleblower channel and its internal investigations protocol.
• We have advised the client, a Spanish multinational in the energy sector and one of the largest energy companies in the world, in the review of the compliance program at the parent company level and its relationship with the rest of the group's companies in order to: 1) devise a risk mitigation strategy both at group level, and 2) how to operate an effective global compliance program at the highest international standards, subject to scrutiny of operators in varying jurisdictions.
• We have completed an investigation into an allegation of a scheme for kickbacks and paybacks (including third parties) set up by the management of a division. The investigation covered a multitude of areas (criminal law, privacy, employment, regulatory, tax, accounting).

Dispute Resolution : Corporate Crime

• We represent a renowned company in the textile sector and its CEO in a criminal proceedings where it is being investigated whether certain public official of the National Police and the Guardia Civil, in exchange of gifts, favours, meals and even delivery of cash in some cases, have favoured the companies under investigation in the awarding of public contracts.
• We represent a former executive of a major energy company in a high-profile criminal case involving alleged bribery and misuse of confidential information, related to payments made to a private intelligence firm. Although the company is not formally charged, we provide legal advice on related risks. The judge dismissed the case against our client. This decision was later confirmed by a higher court and is now final.
• We represented two high-profile individuals in a major criminal case involving alleged payments to a private intelligence firm to obtain confidential information, potentially violating the rights of third parties. The case is part of a broader, widely publicized investigation into political corruption. Following their depositions and our legal submissions, the court dismissed the case against our clients. This decision was later confirmed by a higher court and is now final.
• We represent a former executive of a major financial institution in a high-profile criminal case involving alleged bribery, criminal organization, and misuse of confidential information. The investigation centers on substantial payments made to a private intelligence firm to gather sensitive data on competitors. The case is part of a broader, widely publicized corruption investigation. Recent developments include numerous depositions, new lines of inquiry, and judicial measures. Following our appeal, the court has definitively ruled out one of the charges initially brought against our client.
• We represented several individuals in a criminal case conducted in Barcelona, involving alleged fraud and corruption related to a high-profile sports transfer. The prosecution and a third-party stakeholder claimed that part of the transfer fee was concealed through false contracts to reduce the amount owed. The case has drawn significant media attention due to the prominence of those involved and the potential legal consequences. Our clients were acquitted with all the favorable pronouncements and the private prosecution was ordered to pay the costs for acting recklessly and in bad faith.

• Asociación de Profesionales de Cumplimiento Normativo (CUMPLEN).
• Women’s White Collar Defense Association.
• Club Español de la Litigación de los Negocios.