José María Alonso joining Baker & McKenzie
Alonso led Garrigues between 2000 and 2009, alongside Miguel Gordillo, and had spent almost his entire career with the firm. He played a part in the integration of Garrigues with Andersen Tax & Legal following a merger in 1997 and post-Enron helped guide the firm’s return to independence following the collapse of Andersen Legal in 2002.
His leadership was characterised by the dramatic international expansion of Garrigues including the formation of its Taxand international network, and the Latin American alliance Affinitas, with Alonso a vocal supporter of the closer integration of the member firms.
Formerly Head of Disputes at Garrigues, recent years have seen him focus on international arbitration as both an Arbitrator and Counsel. Alonso was a co-founder and President of the Club Español del Arbitraje between 2005 and 2009 and is currently President of the Arbitration Court of the Madrid Bar (Corte de Arbitraje del Ilustre Colegio de Abogados de Madrid – ICAM).
He stepped down from the Garrigues partnership in 2009 following the election of Fernando Vives and Ricardo Gómez-Barreda as co-Managing Partners maintaining a role as Counsel at the firm.
At Baker & McKenzie Alonso will lead the firm’s Disputes Practice in Madrid.
