Stephenson Harwood launches Madrid office with eight partner team

Law firm Stephenson Harwood LLP is opening its Madrid office on 1 June 2026 with an eight-partner strong team, led by Madrid Managing Partner Juan Oñate.

The launch marks a significant expansion of the firm’s European presence, strengthening its ability to support both domestic clients and international clients with interests in Spain. It is an important building block in the firm’s growth strategy and development as a leading firm across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

“We’re incredibly excited to be launching our office in Spain, where we’ve brought together a group of high-quality lawyers with strong reputations in the market,” said Eifion Morris, Chief Executive Officer of Stephenson Harwood. “Just as importantly, they’re the type of people you want to work alongside - commercial, straightforward, and very hands-on.”

Stephenson Harwood’s Madrid office will offer a full-service team, evenly balanced between transactional and dispute resolution capabilities, reflecting the firm’s international approach. The initial focus is on two core sectors: Private Capital & Funds, and Energy Transition & Infrastructure. The team’s expertise spans corporate, tax, real estate, finance, restructuring and insolvency, special situations and litigation.

“The firm is based in key locations across Europe, the Middle East and Asia – where our clients are investing and where they need us most,” Eifion added. “Spain is attracting international investment, especially in areas such as technology and energy transition, and is an important market for many of our clients. Opening in Madrid felt like a natural next step. For Spanish clients, we offer an international platform combined with an agile, partner-led model that clients in Spain are increasingly turning to.”

“What makes this launch truly special is the team of partners we’ve assembled,” said Juan Oñate. “Each brings deep expertise and a strong reputation in their field, and together we share a commitment to delivering commercial, partner-led advice. Being part of a truly international firm means we can offer clients in Spain direct access to global expertise, while maintaining the personal approach they value.” 
 
Our partners in Madrid:

Jesús Almoguera
Jesús is an arbitration and litigation lawyer with extensive experience in corporate, finance, restructuring, and insolvency matters. He acts as arbitrator and counsel in domestic and international disputes, particularly in M&A, corporate, antitrust, securities and finance. He joins from J Almoguera Abogados.

Carmen Alonso 
Carmen Alonso is a restructuring and corporate lawyer with more than 11 years' experience advising on complex restructuring matters, refinancings, general corporate matters, M&A and joint ventures. Her clients include private equity sponsors, credit funds, infrastructure investors, corporates, and financial institutions. Carmen joins from Latham & Watkins.

Antonio Cáneva
Antonio is a banking and finance specialist focused on project finance, leveraged and acquisition finance, and private credit, particularly within the energy and infrastructure sectors. He advises financial institutions, debt funds, sponsors and institutional investors. Antonio joins from WFW.

Carlos González 
Carlos is a dispute resolution lawyer specialising in complex litigation and arbitration, corporate, securities and finance matters, restructuring and insolvency. He joins from J Almoguera Abogados.

Juan Oñate, Madrid Managing Partner
Juan advises on all aspects of restructurings and insolvencies, including all sort of stress and distressed investment strategies (loan-to-own, distress M&A, and direct lending), representing borrowers, lenders, financial institutions, hedge funds and private equity funds. He also has wide experience on complex civil and commercial disputes. Juan joins from Pérez-Llorca.

Elena Oñoro 
Elena is a State Tax Inspector (on leave of absence) and lawyer with more than 15 years’ experience in tax and international arbitration in both the private and public sectors. Her expertise includes renewable energy, taxes, banking, and mining. Elena is joining from the Ministry of Justice.

José Ramón 
José is a tax lawyer with 24 years’ experience in corporate and international tax, with particular expertise in cross-border M&A, real estate, tax insurance, disputes, private clients and financings for institutional investors and lenders. José joins from Pérez-Llorca.

Eduardo Vázquez de Prada
Eduardo has 17 years’ experience and specialises in all forms of dispute resolution, including arbitration and litigation. He has worked on several of Spain’s most significant corporate, antitrust, finance and restructuring disputes. He joins from J Almoguera Abogados.