This Thursday, 19 March, the results of the Chambers Europe 2026 guide were published. In total, it covers 43 European jurisdictions and, in this edition, includes more than 7,007 department rankings across 1,645 unique law firms, as well as 14,812 individual lawyer rankings, reflecting sustained year-on-year growth in both recognised practitioners and practice areas.

In this regard, our partner María Sol Rubio provides her analysis and perspective on the results of this edition in statements to Cinco Días.

“The publication of Chambers Europe 2026 confirms the strength and maturity of the Spanish legal market,” highlights María Sol Rubio. “Spain continues to be one of the jurisdictions with the deepest level of coverage within the guide, reflecting both the competitiveness of the sector and the increasing interest of Chambers researchers in accurately capturing the real activity of Spanish law firms.”

The data published by Chambers in the Europe 2026 guide also offers an insightful perspective on the positioning of Spanish law firms within the European context. In the ranking of firms with the highest number of department rankings, Cuatrecasas appears with 58, while Garrigues and Uría Menéndez are tied at 54, placing them among the top 25 firms with the greatest presence across Europe, competing on equal footing with leading international firms.

Chambers Europe: leading spanish firms not only have broad coverage but also lead markets

In terms of the number of “Band 1” rankings -arguably the most demanding indicator, as it measures genuine leadership in each practice area- Garrigues achieves 30 Band 1 positions, Uría Menéndez 27 and Cuatrecasas 25, placing them all within the European top seven, ahead of firms such as Baker McKenzie and Dentons. This is a significant achievement: it demonstrates that leading Spanish firms not only enjoy broad market presence but also hold leadership positions.

Regarding gender diversity, Chambers notes that in larger jurisdictions, including Spain, the percentage of ranked female lawyers increased by 1% compared to the previous edition, currently standing at 23%, which remains below the European average according to the directory’s data. While there is still progress to be made, the trend indicates gradual advancement within the sector.

New in Chambers Europe: division of the Tax table into two distinct categories: Tax: Elite and Tax: Highly Regarded

One of the most notable developments in this edition for Spain is the division of the Tax table into two distinct categories: Tax: Elite and Tax: Highly Regarded. This distinction is significant, as it acknowledges that the Spanish tax advisory market comprises two clearly differentiated tiers.

In the Chambers Europe Tax: Elite table, which includes 26 ranked departments, Band 1 is occupied by Cuatrecasas, Garrigues and Uría Menéndez, followed in Band 2 by Ashurst, Baker McKenzie, EY Abogados, Linklaters and Pérez-Llorca. The Chambers Europe Tax: Highly Regarded table, in turn, recognises specialised firms or those more focused on the middle market with strong reputations, with Broseta Abogados, Marimón Abogados, Mavens Abogados and Romá Bohorques Tax & Legal in Band 1.

This distinction clearly signals that Chambers values both the excellence of large full-service firms and the specialisation and technical quality of boutique or regional practices: both models are acknowledged and recognised within the most reputable directory in the sector.

Another notable addition in this Chambers Europe edition is the new Transportation table for Spain, which includes nine ranked departments, with Garrigues, Uría Menéndez and Watson Farley & Williams in Band 1, and firms such as Clyde & Co, Pérez-Llorca and López-Ibor in Band 2.

The presence of a standalone table for this sector reflects the growing importance of transport law in Spain (driven by activity in aviation, logistics, sustainable mobility and asset finance) and creates a clear opportunity for firms with practices in this area to strengthen their positioning ahead of the next edition. In an increasingly sophisticated legal market, this type of sector-specific recognition is precisely the kind of strategic differentiation sought by both clients and directories alike.

You can read the full article in Cinco Días here.