Watson Farley & Williams (“WFW”) is pleased to announce that disputes expert Victor Mercedes has joined the firm as Partner, setting up a new dispute resolution practice in Madrid. Victor joins WFW from international law firm Baker McKenzie, where he was Barcelona Litigation, White Collar, Arbitration & Insolvency Practice Group Head.

With over 22 years’ experience, including six years as a state attorney and 16 years in private practice, Victor is recognised as a leading lawyer for dispute resolution, corporate crime and restructuring and insolvency by top legal directories Chambers and Legal 500. He previously served six years as a State Attorney in charge of the legal defence and representation of the Spanish government, during which time he represented the government in over 2000 disputes. His practice covers civil and commercial procedures, insolvency and pre-insolvency, domestic and international arbitration, white-collar crime litigation, bankruptcy and compliance work.

Victor has significant experience in investment disputes,  especially those involving Latin American governments. He also has expertise in defending and representing companies and directors in cross-border and highly complex criminal investigations and judicial proceedings before the Spanish criminal courts, including the National Court and the Supreme Court.

WFW Madrid Head María Pilar García Guijarro commented: “I am delighted to welcome Victor to WFW. He is an excellent litigator and brings with him a wealth of expertise crucial to the development of our Madrid disputes practice as we look to expand our offering and cement WFW’s standing as a leading full service law across all our specialist sectors in Spain”.

Victor added: “I am excited to join WFW and look forward greatly to playing an integral role in establishing its Madrid disputes practice. WFW is very highly regarded in Spain and I am confident that I can help further enhance its reputation for excellence by expanding its Spanish law contentious offering”.