Barcelona—Global law firm Dentons has given an important boost to its Barcelona office with the recruitment of Nieves Briz as Barcelona Managing Partner and a new partner in the Corporate and M&A department. She joins with a team of two lawyers from JAUSAS, senior associate Natalia Ontiveros and junior associate Wenbo Zhou.

With more than 30 years of experience in mergers and acquisitions and commercial law, Ms. Briz joins from JAUSAS where she was a partner in the commercial law and compliance departments and was responsible for the China Desk for five years. Previously, she was a partner at EY Abogados, where in 2000, she became the first woman and the youngest person in the office to be become a partner. She participated in the group that set EY’s strategy and positioning of the legal practice in Europe, the Middle East, India and Africa (EMEIA).

Ms. Briz has deep knowledge of acquisitions and due diligence having advised national and international clients on more than 100 transactions in different sectors such as finance, real estate, pharmaceutical, textiles and electricity.

She is a member of the advisory board of two companies and member of the board of directors of the International Women's Forum in Spain.

As Barcelona Managing Partner, she will be in charge of strengthening Dentons’ position in the Catalan market, which plays an important role the Firm’s growth strategy for Spain and Europe.

Nieves Briz commented on her appointment, "My move to Dentons is a new exciting challenge in my professional career. I look forward to working with my colleagues to build on Dentons’ global prestige to further develop the brand in Catalonia."

José María Buxeda, Spain Managing Partner at Dentons, said, "This is a decisive step in Dentons’ growth strategy in Spain. With the recruitment of Nieves and her team, we will be able to expand the range of services to our clients in Catalonia and strengthen our position in the Catalan market."

Dentons is currently the largest law firm in the world by the number of lawyers. According to the ranking published in May by Spanish newspaper Expansion, Dentons is one of the fastest growing firms in Spain with 44% growth in billings in 2017. In Spain, the firm currently has more than 60 lawyers, of which 12 are partners. In May 2018, the firm was named “Best international network” at the Forbes Abogados Awards organized by the Spanish edition of Forbes magazine.

About Dentons

Across over 80 countries, Dentons helps you grow, protect, operate and finance your organization by providing uniquely global and deeply local legal solutions. Polycentric, purpose-driven and committed to inclusion, diversity, equity and sustainability, we focus on what matters most to you. www.dentons.com