Jones Day 's Spanish arm has launched a real estate department after sealing the hire of Victor Casarrubios from Spanish independent Gomez-Acebo & Pombo, Legal Week can report today (21 May).

Construction specialist Casarrubios, who was a partner in Gomez-Acebo's real estate, planning and environment practice, joined the US firm at the beginning of the month.

Jones Day's new three-lawyer real estate group, which includes two associates, will be based in Madrid and has been earmarked for further growth over coming months.

Commenting on the appointment of Casarrubios, Jones Day Madrid managing partner Luis Riesgo said: "For some time we have wanted to open a real estate department, knowing the strategic importance of the practice for the firm. Within this global strategy, Victor was too good an opportunity to miss for us."

Jones Day's global real estate department currently numbers approximately 125 lawyers, including around 45 in Europe.