Managing Partner: John R Gustafson
- Number of partners worldwide: 2
- Number of other lawyers worldwide: 20
THE FIRM: Rivero & Gustafson was founded in 1997 by lawyers coming from prestigious international law firms. It is headed by Sebastián Rivero and John R Gustafson.The firm provides legal advice in the daily activity of companies operating in the most diversified business sectors, assists clients throughout strategic transactions as well as in the defence of entrusted interests before courts and arbitration panels. Rivero & Gustafson has developed a special practice in corporate law and litigation which is complemented by other traditional and innovative areas of the legal profession. The firm offers an individualised sector approach resulting from the experience and commitment to the business of its clients. The quality of the firm’s work in English, French and Spanish, as well as its clientoriented service, has contributed to the consolidation of the firm’s prestige. The added value of the firm is based on its experience and commitment to Spanish clients as well as foreigners,without bearing the costs of an international law firm. This is why the firm has reached a referred work index, directly from multinational companies or foreign law firms, of approximately 40% of its turnover.
MAIN AREAS OF PRACTICE:
Mergers & Acquisitions: The Corporate and M&A Department provides advice on the following areas: contracts, private equity, corporate agreements and joint ventures, acquisitions and company reorganisation, due diligence, company law and insolvencies.
Companies: The operation of companies demands a comprehensive, proactive and responsive legal advice to prevent the loss of competitiveness in the market place. The firm’s team of lawyers assist in the following areas: incorporation of companies, board secretarial, restructuring of companies and groups, shareholders agreements, directors’ liability, amendment of by-laws, family business.
Litigation & Dispute Resolution: The Litigation and Dispute Resolution Department is one of the pillars of the firm which complements the other practice areas: civil litigation, employment disputes,white-collar, arbitration, insolvencies.
Employment: The Employment Department provides daily legal advice to local and foreign companies in the following areas: hiring, contract amendment and termination, top managerial and other special status relationships, compensation systems and associated taxation, collective bargaining: interaction with worker representatives, downsizing, court proceedings, administrative litigation, social security. During the last two years the Labour Department has developed an intensive practice in top executive and high level employees working in either multinational or in large national companies and holding crossborder responsibilities.
Tax: The Tax Department provides daily legal tax advice to either local or foreign Companies in general taxation of the ordinary course of businesses, M&A, preparing businesses for disposal, dealing with the necessary corporate restructuring, taking into account the most efficient tax solutions to be implemented for the deal and after the acquisition. Due diligence processes are therefore part of the firm’s job too. It can also deal with transfer pricing matters, especially in aspects regarding documentation, possible litigation, strategic planning of APAs, etc. The firm also has expertise in taxation concerning individuals, either personal income tax and inheritance tax, especially for taxation planning. The firm also provides tax litigation services including criminal tax offences.
OTHER PRACTICE AREAS:
Administrative: Public procurement, permits and licences, administrative appeals and litigation, public liability, competition: concentrations and disciplinary proceedings, environmental, regulatory, expropriations. White-Collar: Insolvency criminal liability, criminal liability arising of infringments to company law statutes, fraud liability, offences to the internal revenue and social security, labour criminal liability. Insolvency: Insolvency proceedings, challenging and accepting credits, administration of insolvent entities, representation and defence of creditors, restructuring of family business in crisis.
FIELDS OF EXPERTISE:
Venture Capital: Taking up participations in private companies, due diligence, shareholders agreements, project structured finance, refinancing,MBO and MBI acquisitions, privatisations, defence of disciplinary proceedings, board secretaries, taxation.
Banking & Finance: Leasing and renting, financial restructuring/structured finance, asset finance, project finance. Information Technology: Information technology, e-business and digital signature, data protection, intellectual property, media.
Property: Acquisition and development of land, acquisition, development and/or leasing of commercial property, real estate guarantees, contracts and public tenders, property compound development, real estate taxation, zoning law and regulations, public domain.
Pharmaceuticals: Sale and purchase of laboratories, licence and supply agreements, labeling, advertising and promotion.
Environmental: Environmental compliance representation, general environmental advice, dispute resolution and litigation, negotiation with public administrations, representation of public administrations.
Leisure & Entertainment: Administrative contracts, real estate, civil litigation, criminal proceedings, environmental.
INTERNATIONAL WORK: The current business dimension of the firm’s clients has driven the development of professional relationships with other firms that, due to their geographical location or areas of expertise, allow Rivero & Gustafson Abogados to provide a wider range of services. The firm is also a member of the IURIS MUNDI network. Furthermore, the firm corresponds with law firms in the following countries: United Kingdom, France, USA,Norway, Austria,Belgium,Denmark,Germany, Italy, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland and The Netherlands.
LANGUAGES: Spanish, English and French.
CLIENTS: As advisors to multinational groups with operations in Spain, Rivero & Gustafson Abogados have developed a large experience in advising on the establishment of Spanish branches and subsidiaries, as well as in the acquisition of local companies or their business, by international investors.
Areas of Practice-