Spanish lawyers are expecting an uptick in domestic law firm mergers in coming years as the legal market continues to consolidate after the aftershocks of COVID-19, and local outfits map out how best to defend themselves against international encroachment.

In recent years, international law firms such as Fieldfisher and DWF have launched in the market by joining forces with local outfits to create Fieldfisher Jausas and DWF-RCD in 2018 and 2019 respectively, while U.S. firm Littler Mendelson announced a tie-up with 39-attorney Abdón Pedrajas in November.