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Spain

Mainland Spain occupies most of the Iberian Peninsula (shared with Portugal and Gibraltar) and the country also includes the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands, as well as Ceuta and Melilla on the coast of North Africa. Spain's economy - driven by Madrid and Barcelona - is the thirteenth largest in the world and the fifth largest in the EU, behind Germany, the UK, France and Italy.

Law Firms

Whilst several local firms have achieved excellent market positions in Spain, the top-tier is once again dominated by the large international UK and US firms that are prevalent across Europe. Most international firms have offices in both Madrid and Barcelona.

Principal Areas of Demand

The Spanish market is largely populated by domestic lawyers, with most firms requiring lawyers to be admitted to the Spanish Bar. However, international lawyers will be considered in the following areas (although candidates should normally be from a top international firm and Spanish language skills will be required unless otherwise specified):

• Banking
• Capital Markets/Securitisation
• Corporate/M&A
• Projects/Project Finance
• EU/Competition
• IP/IT

Remuneration & Benefits

In general, most international law firms will pay non-local lateral hires a salary that is a bit below London City rates but considerably higher than the local market rate. Coupled with the lower costs of living, this can leave you financially better off working in Spain. Some firms, however, are becoming less inclined to offer a UK-based package and are tending towards a local salary package for all lateral recruits. Housing allowances are not usually paid, although a decent relocation package is usually offered.

Outside the Office

Madrid and Barcelona are two of the world's liveliest cities and are both regularly described as cities that never sleep (the Spanish would say they have "mucha marcha"). Both cities host art collections, galleries and museums which rank among the finest in the world, and the sporting options in each are limitless (particularly if you are partial to watching world-class football!). In either city, the way of life can best be described as a happy meeting of the general relaxed Spanish approach to life and the bustling sensations common to every metropolis.

For further information on the legal market and job opportunities in Spain please contact your nearest Taylor Root office:

London:
Mark Walters E: markwalters@taylorroot.com T: +44 (0)20 7415 2828

Dubai:
Shane Morton E: shanemorton@taylorroot.com T: +9714 448 7770

Hong Kong: 
Mark Coates E: markcoates@taylorroot.com.hk T: +852 2973 6333

Sydney: 
Karlie Connellan E: karlieconnellan@taylorroot.com.au T: +61 (0)2 9236 9000

Melbourne:
Tim Fogarty E: timfogarty@taylorroot.com.au T: +61 (0)3 8610 8400