Clifford Chance
Leonardo has a strong experience in structured finance transactions, including securitization and debt capital markets, as well as in all type of corporate finance, restructuring and M&A/Private Equity deals.
His expertise covers both domestic and cross-border deals, having developed his career in local law firms in Spain and international investment funds before joining Clifford Chance.
- Advising European Investment Bank (EIB) acting under the Pan-European Guarantee Fund in relation to a co-investment facility along with Banco Sabadell (through its VC fund "Sabadell Venture Capital") to support SMEs in Spain and Portugal.
- Advising Servicios Financieros Carrefour as originator in the renewal of the Columbus Master Credit Cards, Fondo de Titulización Base Prospectus and the first issuance under the renewed programme, including the incorporation of STS requirements.
- Advising Banco Santander (as originator, protection buyer, paying agent and servicer) in the setting-up of FT Pymes Magdalena 5, first on-balance sheet securitisation carried out in Spain under the new STS Regulations.
- Advising hedge fund Fidera Limited in connection with Real Estate direct lending transactions in Spain.
- Advising a syndicate of banks including BNP Paribas, Deutsche Bank, Caixabank, Santander and ICO in a project finance in Mexico.
- Advising Banco Santander in the transition from IBOR rates to Risk Free Rates for its cash products, including loan facilities, receivables purchase agreements and reverse factoring.
- Advising Enagas in a USD 550,000,000 facility for corporate purposes.
- Advising Coface Finanz GmbH in the granting of several Factoring Facilities to Klöckner Group.
- Advising Cellnex in the amendment of its syndicated and bilateral facilities for the purposes of transitioning USD LIBOR, GBP LIBOR and CHF LIBOR to new applicable reference rates.
- Advising Neuberger Berman in the setting-up of private equity fund "NB Select Private Equity FCR" managed by Abante Asesores SGIIC.
- Advising Banco Santander in a structured financing/repackaging of a financial lease with Orange Spain for the installation of an optical fiber.
- Advising Taconic Capital Advisors in connection with a structured acquisition of bonds and equity stake.
- Advising Bank of America and a group of investment banks on El Corte Inglés' €600,000,000 high-yield bond issue.
- Advising originators and management companies (Sociedades Gestoras) on regulatory issues arising from COVID 19 regulations with impact over securitisation funds.
- Advising WiZink as originator and Société Générale as arranger in a EUR 2,000,000,000 Medium Term Note Programme through aZul Master Credit Cards DAC.
- Advising Neuberger Berman as investor in a GP-Led restructuring in Spain.
- Advising investment banks and funds like Deutsche Bank AG London Branch and JB Capital in participation schemes.
- Advising CA-CIB in a rated European factoring agreement together with La Banque Postale.
News and client work
Contact details
- Clifford Chance, Madrid
- +34 91 590 9430
- Email me
- Speaks English and Spanish
- Practice area Global Financial Markets
Career and qualifications
- IESE Business School (EMBA) 2013
- Universidad San Pablo CEU (PhD Courses) 2009
- Universidad Carlos III (Law -First Class Honours) 2005
- Universidad Carlos III (Business Administration – First Class Honours) 2005
- Joined Clifford Chance in 2020
Awards and citations
- ‘Leonardo Fernández is an exceptional lawyer and a trusted adviser through all stages of the transaction. His communication with other transaction participants is exceptional. He understands the importance of getting the deal done.’
THE LEGAL 500 RANKINGS 2024 - Leonardo Fernández Rodríguez is very responsive and practical, and I appreciated the good working relationship he maintained with opposing counsels, which often prevented legal issues from becoming commercial bottlenecks.
THE LEGAL 500 RANKINGS 2023