Cuatrecasas, Gonçalves Pereira, S.L.P.
- Founded
- 1917-01-01 in Barcelona, Spain
- Headquarters
- Barcelona, Spain
- info@cuatrecasas.com
Cuatrecasas, Gonçalves Pereira, S.L.P. (commonly known as Cuatrecasas) is one of the most prominent law firms in the Iberian Peninsula and Latin America. Founded in 1917 in Barcelona by Emilio Cuatrecasas Buquet, the firm has evolved from a tax-focused practice into a full-service international law firm with over 2,000 professionals across 24 offices in 11 countries. Operating under the brand “Cuatrecasas,” the firm is particularly strong in Spain, Portugal, and Latin America, with dedicated country desks for Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru. Cuatrecasas advises leading multinational and domestic corporations on complex cross-border transactions, disputes, regulatory matters, and corporate governance. Its practice areas span corporate/M&A, tax, litigation and arbitration, employment and immigration, intellectual property, data protection, banking and finance, real estate, and private equity. The firm is renowned for its role in high-profile transactions, such as advising Platinum Equity on the €5.8 billion sale of Urbaser and CVC and Portobello on the sale of Vitalia Home. In the 2025 fiscal year, Cuatrecasas posted record revenue of €447.1 million, driven by strong demand in Iberian and Latin American markets. The firm has also invested heavily in innovation, launching initiatives such as Cuatrecasas Acelera, and in social responsibility through the Cuatrecasas Foundation. Cuatrecasas is led by a modernised management team, with Javier Fontcuberta as Managing Partner and CEO, and Rafael Fontana as Honorary Chair. The firm continues to strengthen its governance and expand its international platform, including a recent office scaling in Portugal.
Detailed Review
History
Cuatrecasas, Gonçalves Pereira, S.L.P. traces its roots to 1917, when Emilio Cuatrecasas Buquet founded a tax-focused practice in Barcelona. Under successive generations of the Cuatrecasas family, the firm expanded across Spain and, from the 1980s, forged an Iberian alliance with the Portuguese firm Gonçalves Pereira, Castelo Branco & Associados. The 2001–2015 period saw aggressive international expansion, with offices opened in London, New York, Shanghai, and across Latin America, followed by mergers with the Portuguese firm and the Andalusian Olivencia‑Ballester. Since 2015, the firm has institutionalised its management under Rafael Fontana and Jorge Badía, focusing on Latin America and a technology‑driven practice.
Business Model
Today, Cuatrecasas is a full-service law firm structured around core practice groups: Corporate & M&A, Tax, Litigation & Arbitration, Employment & Immigration, Intellectual Property & Data Protection, Banking & Finance, Real Estate, and Private Equity. The firm also operates a dedicated industrial property arm, Cuatrecasas, Gonçalves Pereira Propiedad Industrial, which offers portfolio audits, registration, and research services.
Recent Work and Market Position
Recent work highlights include advising on the €2.2 billion debt refinancing of Celsa Group, the COP 1.8 billion financing for Túnel de Oriente in Colombia, and multiple private equity transactions in Iberia. The firm’s Latin American desks are particularly active in cross-border investment and arbitration. Cuatrecasas’s headcount exceeds 2,000 professionals, of whom more than 1,300 are lawyers (including over 300 partners). Its workforce represents 26 nationalities and speaks 16 languages, reflecting its international reach. The firm also has a strong academic affiliation, with over 300 of its lawyers serving as lecturers at prestigious universities.
Leadership and Governance
In leadership, the firm underwent a succession process beginning in April 2025. Javier Fontcuberta was appointed Managing Partner and CEO, succeeding Rafael Fontana, who moved to the role of Honorary Chair (after 22 years on the management team). Luis Pérez de Ayala became Vice Chair and will assume the senior partner role from 2026. Emilio Cuatrecasas (third generation) holds the title of Honorary Chair since 2016. The executive committee also includes Raimundo Segura (Secretary) and Jorge Badía (Executive Managing Partner). Despite strong ties to the iGaming sector through its regulatory and corporate advisory work, Cuatrecasas remains a full-service law firm, not a specialised iGaming company.
Key Products
Litigation & Arbitration
Dispute resolution including commercial litigation, international arbitration, and regulatory defence.
Employment & Immigration
Labour law, executive compensation, immigration, and social security.
Intellectual Property & Data Protection
IP registration, enforcement, data privacy, and cybersecurity.
Banking & Finance
Financing transactions, structured finance, project finance, and regulatory advice.
Real Estate
Property acquisitions, development, leasing, and urban planning.
Private Equity
Fund formation, transactional advice, and portfolio support.
Cuatrecasas, Gonçalves Pereira Propiedad Industrial
Dedicated industrial property services including portfolio audits, registration, and research.
Corporate & M&A
Advises on mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, private equity, and corporate restructuring.
Tax
Tax planning, compliance, and structuring for domestic and international clients.
Offices & Headcount
2000 employees (approx.)
Key Persons
- Raimundo Segura
Secretary (Management Committee)
- Jorge Badía
Executive Managing Partner
- Javier Fontcuberta
Managing Partner & CEO
- Rafael Fontana
Honorary Chair
- Luis Pérez de Ayala
Vice Chair & Incoming Senior Partner
- Emilio Cuatrecasas
Honorary Chair