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Fieldfisher has appointed Pedro Claros, LL.M. as partner in its Madrid office, strengthening the firm’s international arbitration offering, particularly in Spanish-speaking markets.
Pedro is an international arbitration specialist with more than 25 years of experience in investor-state and commercial arbitration. He has particular expertise in disputes relating to renewable energy, infrastructure, engineering and construction.
He is currently representing a German investment fund in an ICSID arbitration[i] against the Kingdom of Spain under the Energy Charter Treaty, stemming from the different regulatory reforms introduced by the Spanish Government in the renewable energy sector between 2010 and 2019. Pedro has been particularly active in this field for more than a decade, representing investors from different jurisdictions, inside and outside of the European Union, as lead counsel in investment arbitrations.
Pedro is representing a State in an investment arbitration in Eastern Europe, as well as international investors in investment disputes in Central America. He also has experience acting in arbitration-related court proceedings, including representing Argentina in bond-holders litigation before the Spanish courts and ICSID awards enforcement proceedings. Pedro regularly sits as arbitrator in international disputes, including ICC and UNCITRAL arbitrations, particularly in Latin America[ii].
Qualified in Spain and fluent in English, Pedro brings with him a wealth of experience handling cases in Europe and the Americas. Pedro received his legal education at Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, DC, as a Fulbright Scholar, and at ICADE in Madrid. He holds a five-year degree in Business Administration (ICADE E-3).
Together with Pedro, Antonio Delgado is also joining Fieldfisher from Claros Abogados as Counsel in the Madrid office. Antonio's experience in commercial arbitration and investment disputes spans more than 18 years and he is also acknowledged as an expert in disputes within the energy and construction sectors, as well as in cases relating to foreign direct investment.
He has practiced in several jurisdictions including Madrid, London and Geneva and is dual qualified to practice as a solicitor in England and Wales, and is admitted by the Madrid Bar as abogado.
Over the past five years, Antonio has been active representing German, Swiss, English and Japanese investors in ICSID and SCC arbitrations brought against the Kingdom of Spain in the well-known renewable arbitration saga and has participated in several landmark victories including the OperaFund and BayWa arbitrations.
As part of the firm's desire to target Spanish-speaking markets, Antonio will initially be based in San José, Costa Rica, to handle ongoing cases locally, kickstarting the development of Fieldfisher's Latin American arbitration practice.
Both practitioners join Fieldfisher's GAR 100 ranked practice, led by partners Daniel Hayward and Simon Sloane.
Pedro’s joining brings the Spanish disputes bench strength to a total of 6 partners, including Jordi Ruiz de Villa, Joan Vidal, Andrés de la Quadra, Pablo Franquet, and Mercè Caral. His appointment also follows a series of strategic investments in the wider international arbitration group over the last few years, which includes the recent hires of Dr. Alice Meissner in Vienna in 2023, Ania Farren in London and Philipp Duncker in Munich in 2022, and Marily Paralika in Paris in 2019, bringing Fieldfisher's international arbitration group to a total of 25 partners, with experts in key hubs throughout Europe.
With Pedro and Antonio’s additions to Fieldfisher Spain and the recent partner appointments of employment partner Eduardo Gómez de Enterría and real estate partner Victor Casarrubios, both joining in 2023, the firm has progressed on its growth plan in the region.
Commenting on their appointment, Simon Sloane, Co-Head of International Arbitration said: "Pedro and Antonio are both well-established leaders in the international arbitration arena, earning widespread respect for their expertise. Their appointment reinforces our dedication to investing in the international arbitration group and amplifies our global capabilities, particularly enhancing our ability to serve clients in Spanish-speaking markets. This move aligns seamlessly with our commitment to delivering unparalleled arbitration expertise not only in Latin America and Spain but across our expansive global network."
Jordi Ruiz de Villa, Managing Partner, Fieldfisher Spain, added:
"Spain is going through an immense period of growth in response to market demand and the appointment of Pedro and Antonio is a key part of our strategic expansion plan.
"Pedro and Antonio's expertise and connections in Latin America gives the firm the depth and breadth it needs to leverage a dynamic market in a highly sought after area of the law, offering unrivalled opportunities for Spain and the wider Fieldfisher network."
“I'm excited to be at Fieldfisher” says Pedro. "Fieldfisher is a strong, internationally recognised law firm with an excellent reputation in international arbitration and dispute resolution. The firm is people-focused, ambitious, and committed to becoming a notable player for international clients in Latin America and Spain. I look forward to enhancing my practice here and strengthening our offering to clients in Spanish-speaking markets.
Antonio comments:
“I'm really pleased to be a part of the Fieldfisher network. The firm has leading international arbitration practices in many markets, and this, coupled with their in-depth sector expertise in energy and construction offers an ideal setting to further develop my practice and bring the firm's expertise to clients in Latin America.”