Jimena Urretavizcaya

Jimena has extensive experience in domestic and international financing transactions, focusing on in leveraged finance, real estate finance and restructuring.

She has also advised in multiple project finance transactions, in sectors such as renewable energies and LNG, and in several asset financings. Her experience also covers securitisation transactions in Spain, advising on high profile international securitisations of debt portfolios (in particular relating to RPLs) in the last few years.

Jimena regularly advises the key creditors in these fields, including national and international banks, funds, direct lenders and sponsors.

Jimena is recommended for her excellent work in Chambers & Partners from 2011 to date and Legal 500. She has recently been selected as one of the most prominent lawyers in the Spanish market by IFLR1000 Women Leaders 2021.

Jimena is the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Partner and leads the Pro Bono Committee of A&O Shearman in Spain.

Expertise

Finance Project development and finance Restructuring and insolvency Corporate and M&A Private equity

Industries

Energy Infrastructure and transport Banks Real estate Private equity Ports Rail Roads

Experience

Representative matters

Sacyr as a shareholder of Grupo Unidos por el Canal, (GUPC) (the project company tasked with expanding and upgrading the Panama canal to, among others, the new Panamax standard) in the USD173m CESCE backed financing for GUPC of the eligible costs in relation to the project works.

The lenders on the restructuring of Pepe Jeans.

Cheyne Capital Management (UK) LLP in a development financing granted for the purposes of, among others, financing part of the cost of the acquisition and development of two residential/co-living properties located at Valdebebas and Vallecas, in Madrid, Spain.

A global financial institution, CACIB and Bawag on the financing granted to HIP Partners (Blackstone) for the purposes of refinancing the existing debt used to acquire several hotels and properties in Spain.

Pro bono

Executive Committee member of Fundación Probono España, the only clearinghouse in Spain for pro bono legal services. Besides coordinating and matching social organizations that need legal assistance with lawyers who can help, it also disseminates legal knowledge, promotes pro bono practice and raises awareness among legal professionals about the social function of law.

We partner with Fundación Probono España and the Human Rights Clinic of Universidad Carlos III to help Fundación Cermi Mujeres advocate for policy change by researching the laws and precedents on the right to free legal aid for women and girls with disabilities who suffer from gender-based violence in different regions, aiming to propose an amendment to the current Spanish legislation.

We collaborate with Fundación Probono España and IE Law School to assist Fundación ProLibertas in creating a guide on how criminal records affect the granting of resident status to women in Spain

Published Work

Co-author (2015) "La prenda de créditos futuros", CincoDías
Co-author (2014) "Refinancing and restructuring of corporate debt in Spain. Amendment of the Insolvency Law" ("Refinanciación y restructuración de deuda corporativa en España. Reforma de la Ley Concursal"), Revista de Derecho Bancario y Bursátil, no. 134m oo, 267-275. ISSN 0211-6138
(2012) "Los casos más relevantes en 2011 de los grandes despachos. Capítulo 1: El papel del agente de garantías en las operaciones de reestructuración de deuda", Anuario Mercantil para Abogados, La Ley
(2011) "¿Funcionará la homologación para la refinanciación prevista en la reforma de la ley concursal?, Expansión

Leadership Positions And Professional Affiliations

Member, Madrid Bar Association

Recognition

“She provides highly satisfactory technical advice and customer service”

Chambers & Partners, 2024

“Jimena Urretavizcaya deserves a special mention for her kindness and attention to detail. She builds close relationships with clients and keeps in touch, which makes a big difference compared with other competitors”

IFLR, 2023

Awards

Bank 1 Banking and Finance practice in Spain in 2024, Chambers & Partners, 2024
Best Banking Practice in Spain, Expansión, 2024 and 2023
Most inspiring women in the legal sector in Spain and Portugal, Inspiral Law, 2023
Outstanding lawyer in the Spanish market, IFLR1000 Women Leaders, 2022

Qualifications

Admissions

Admitted as abogado, Spain, 2002

Academic

Degree, European & International Law, Université Catholique de Louvain-la-Neuve, 2002

European Law Course, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, 1999

Law Degree, Universidad de Deusto, Bilbao, 2001

Languages

English, Spanish

Disclaimer

A&O Shearman was formed on May 1, 2024 by the combination of Shearman & Sterling LLP and Allen & Overy LLP and their respective affiliates (the legacy firms). Any matters referred to above may include matters undertaken by one or more of the legacy firms rather than A&O Shearman.