José Manuel Sala

Of Counsel
About

José Manuel has long-standing experience in Business Public Law, having acted  in relevant judicial review proceedings against decisions taken by public authorities, as well as providing advice to large companies, Spanish and foreign, both publicly and privately held, on regulatory issues.  He has also acted as external counsel to several public administration entities.

EXPERIENCE

  • Legal counsel in a number of  appeals before the Supreme Court, Constitutional Court and European Court of Justice, in the field of regulated sectors and competition
  • Acting in administrative and judicial appeals in connection with the awarding of public procurement contracts.  Providing advice in relation to tenders for contracts and performance thereof, and regarding the financial balance of port, utilities and public works concessions. Advising on the drafting of procurement term sheets
  • Advising on Administrative Sanctioning Law, having taken part as head lawyer in a number of appeals against sanctions imposed by supervisory and regulatory entities (Banco de España, Comisión Nacional  del Mercado de Valores, Comisión Nacional de Energía, Comisión Nacional de la Competencia -currently, Comisión Nacional de Mercados y Competencia)
  • Energy Law, in particular, in connection with gas and electricity matters. Providing advice on issues such as the legal and economic regime for the generation, distribution and commercialisation of electricity, as well as for the storage, transport, distribution and commercialisation of natural gas
  • Environmental Law, advising Spanish and foreign companies in relation to the legal regime for emission allowances, environmental liability and waste treatment
Major Clients
  • Iberdrola, Gas Natural, Red Eléctrica de España, FCC, Atlantia, Grupo Suez, Procter & Gamble, BBK, Abengoa, Asociación de Empresas de Energía Eólica, Grupo Bergé, Grupo Sampol, Fundación Retorna, Asociación de Transporte de Acero para la Construcción, RENFE, BBVA, Bankia, Banco Santander
Languages
  • Spanish
  • English
  • French
Education
  • Universidad de Navarra, Degree in Law

  • Universidad de Navarra, Ph.D, cum laude

Awards

  • Chambers & Partners Europe - Energy - 2013 - 2022
  • Chambers & Partners Europe - Public Law - 2013 - 2022
  • Best Lawyers - Public Law - 2013 - 2022

Prior Experience

  • 2013 to date, DLA Piper, Of Counsel
  • 2001 to date, Professor of Administrative Law at the Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid
  • 1985 to date, State Attorney
  • 2002 to 2013, Founding partner of a Spanish law firm
  • 1992 to 2002, Co-founding partner, with other Administrative Law Professors, of a law firm focused on Public Law
  • 1992 to 2000, Professor of Administrative Law at the Universidad de Valladolid-Burgos
  • 1989 to 1998, Secretary of the Board of Directors of a Securities and Stock Exchange Firm
  • 1977 to 1992, Head Professor of Administrative Law at the Universidad Autónoma, Madrid
  • 1974 to 1982, Civil Servant at the Senior Corps of Civil State Administrators.  Working at the President's Office between 1975 and 1982

MEMBERSHIPS AND AFFILIATIONS

  • Madrid Bar Association
  • Management Committee for the Spanish Section of the International Institute of Administrative Sciences
  • Spanish Royal Academy of Jurisprudence and Legislation
  • Spanish Association of Administrative Law Professors

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