Head of Banking and Finance 

Bio

Rafael is a Partner, head of  Banking and Finance at Gómez-Acebo & Pombo.

He has extensive experience in credit and corporate finance transactions, including corporate finance, acquisition finance, LBOs, asset finance (mainly real estate finance and project finance, special and hybrid transactions (debt/equity), refinancing processes and debt restructurings. He works on a recurring basis with the main Spanish financial institutions, and with credit funds in financing operations in Spain, having led – as advisor to financial creditors – several of the most complex transactions in recent years.

He holds a law degree from the Complutense University of Madrid. He studied at the Academy of American and International Law, South-Western University, Dallas, USA. He prepared for the competitive exams for Notary Publics.

He began his professional career in the Legal Department of Sinae Energía y Medio Ambiente.

Rafael has been Highly Regarded in recent years by IFLR 1000 for his work and extensive experience in the areas of Restructuring and Insolvency and Banking and Financial Restructuring. In addition, he is also recognised in the prestigious legal directories Chambers & Partners and Legal500 as one of the leading professionals in the area of Banking and Finance.

He has participated as author and co-author in several specialised legal publications.

Membership of Professional Bodies and Associations

Madrid Bar Association no. 65470
International Bar Association – Officer of the Banking Law Committee

Lenguajes

Spanish
English

Acknowledgments

  • 2023
  • 2022
  • 2021
  • 2020
  • 2019

Chambers & Partners Global 2023. Banking & Finance

"He provides fast attention and innovative solutions."

Chambers & Partners Global 2023. Restructuring/Insolvency: Restructuring

"He pays quick attention and provides innovative solutions."

Chambers & Partners Europe 2022. Banking & Finance

"He is amazing at spotting solutions, makes deals go forward and is really creative"

Chambers & Partners Europe 2022. Restructuring/Insolvency: Restructuring

"Rafael Aguilera Álvarez is amazing at spotting solutions and makes operations go forward"

IFLR 1000 2022: Highly Regarded. Banking

IFLR 1000 2022: Highly Regarded. Restructuring & Insolvency

IFLR 1000 2022: Highly Regarded. Financial Restructuring

Chambers & Partners Global 2022. Banking & Finance – Spain

The Legal 500 2021. Banking & Finance

The Legal 500 2021. Restructuring and insolvency

Rafael Aguilera, partner of the department, is one of the best lawyers in this practice. He has great technical knowledge and has a special sensitivity always focused on business. In the event of any problem, he is capable of providing immediate solutions that are always possible to execute. Paula Zarzalejos, associate of the department, is a perfect complement: always available and with great technical knowledge that allows her to give her work enormous flexibility.’

Chambers & Partners Europe 2021. Banking & Finance

"He thinks about what decision he might take if he were in your shoes." "He is pragmatic and has a sense of the things that are really important in a transaction,"

The Legal 500 2021. Restructuring and insolvency

Rafael Aguilera: is a prestigious professional with an expert knowledge of his field of advice. He provides confidence to its clients and leads banks to reach agreements that protect their interests at all times. He also provides imaginative solutions and when faced with complex problems in terms of structures, is capable of always designing a solution. Santiago Gómez-Acebo: recognized professional in the field of financial markets. He has extensive knowledge of the national market and is capable of leading a negotiation if circumstances require it.’

IFLR 1000 2021: Highly Regarded. Restructuring and Insolvency

IFLR 1000 2021: Highly Regarded. Banking

IFLR 1000 2021: Highly Regarded. Financial Restructuring

The Chambers Global 2020. Banking & Finance

The Chambers Europe 2020. Banking & Finance – Spain

"knowledge and experience," "very practical."

Legal 500 2020. Banking and Finance

Leading Individuals

IFLR 1000 2020: Highly Regarded. Restructuring and Insolvency

IFLR 1000 2020: Highly Regarded.Banking

IFLR 1000 2020: Highly Regarded. Financial Restructuring

IFLR 1000 2019: Highly Regarded. Banking, Financial Restructuring, Restructuring and Insolvency

The Chambers Global 2019. Banking and Finance – Spain

«"a tireless worker" who "continually finds alternatives whenever there's a difficulty"»

The Chambers Europe 2019. Banking & Finance

The Legal 500 2019. Banking and Finance

Leading lawyer
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