Uría Menéndez
Slaughter and May’s Iberian best friend Uría Menéndez weathered the financial crisis relatively well, its relative conservatism compared to some of its more aggressive local rivals paying off with consistent turnover growth in the last few years after a dip between 2012 and 2013.
In common with the other big Spanish law firms, Uría Menéndez’ family connections remain strong with the last surviving founding partner Aurelio Menéndez passing away in early 2018. That said, it has been some time since Uría Menéndez had a founder’s family member in an active management position.
The firm was founded in 1946 by Rodrigo Uría González. Menéndez, and Uría González’s son Rodrigo Uría Meruéndano, joined some 30 years later and the firm was renamed Uría Menéndez at that time.
Much of the Uría Menéndez's revenue – around half – is generated by its large corporate team, and roles on the biggest M&A deals is Uría’s bread and butter. However, it does also advise on litigation, tax and employment.
Similar to most of its European best friends, Uría Menéndez operates a pure lockstep structure. The firm employs around 950 staff and just over 600 lawyers.
In 2005, Uría Menéndez granted José María Segovia and Luis de Carlos its joint managing partners. In 2011 the law firm moved to a more Anglo-Saxon model, with Segovia evolving senior partner and de Carlos sole managing partner.
Segovia and de Carlos replaced Uría Meruéndano in the management role, and the latter remained president of the firm until his sudden death in 2007 from a heart attack, aged only 66.
In June 2019 Uría released a change in management, effective 1 January 2019. De Carlos took over from Segovia as senior partner, while corporate partner Salvador Sánchez-Terán was named managing partner.
The Lawyer research data
- European 100 rank: 8
- Revenue: €249m
- No. of Partners: 130
Country: Spain
Website: https://www.uria.com/en/
