Belén is a counsel in our Madrid office.
She has extensive experience in infringement proceedings and merger control transactions, handling some of the most high-profile cases in Spain. Her practice spans restrictive agreements and abuse of dominance matters, advising companies from the initial stages of investigations through judicial review.
Belén works across regulated and innovative sectors, including digital, media, telecommunications, distribution and infrastructure, and regularly advises on complex competition law issues before the Spanish and European competition authorities.
- The Superleague before the Grand Chamber of the Court of Justice in case C-331/21 against UEFA and FIFA.
- Oracle before the CNMC, the Appellate Court and the Supreme Court in its defence against HP's complaint for abuse of a dominant position on markets related to new technologies and databases.
- Telefónica, S.A. before the Supreme Court on its successful appeal against the EUR 47 million fine imposed for alleged abuse of dominance in the SMS market.
- Telefónica on (i) the acquisition of control over DTS (Canal+) from Prisa in 2015; and (ii) before the Appellate Court to defend the referred acquisition.
News and client work
Contact details
- Clifford Chance, Madrid
- +34915907519
- Email me
- Speaks Spanish, English and French
- Sector Consumer goods & retail, Technology, media & telecommunications
Career & qualifications
- University of Seville (Law) 1997
- Robert Schuman University, Strasbourg, France (European Political Studies Program) 1998
- College of Europe, Bruges, Belgium (Master in European Legal Studies) 1999
- Rey Juan Carlos University, Madrid (Master in Community and Spanish Competition Law) 2000
- Ortega y Gasset University Research Institute, Madrid (Diploma in Advanced Studies (DEA) and Doctorate in European Studies) 2004
- Admitted as an abogado in Spain 2000
- Joined Clifford Chance 2000
- Joined Andalusian Competition Authority 2008
- Rejoined Clifford Chance 2012
- Counsel since 2022
Professional bodies
-
Member of the Board of Directors of AEDC (Asociación Española de Defensa de la Competencia)
- Member of the AEDEUR (Asociación Española de Derecho Europeo)
- Member of WLW (Women in a Legal World)
- Member of the Editorial Board of the Aranzadi La Ley Journal Práctica De Derecho de la Competencia
Awards and citations
- ‘Belén Irissarry is a machine; she crunches and produces all our requests and advice, and supervises the team.'
’She is a benchmark in the industry.’
Chambers Europe 2026 Spain: Competition/European Law (Band 4)
Belén Irissarry, Europe | Chambers Profiles
- ‘Belén Irissarry is a privileged mind and a great connoisseur of European law.’
Chambers Europe Guide 2025 Spain: Competition/European Law (Band 5) - ‘Belén Irissarry is one of the most brilliant antitrust minds in Spain.’
Chambers Europe Guide 2024 Spain: Competition/European Law (Band 5) - ‘Belén Irissarry deserves special mention for her outstanding contribution.’
Legal 500 2026 Spain: EU and Competition (Rising Stars)
L500 | Clifford Chance > EU and competition > Spain | Legal 500 law firm profiles