Your Legal Bridge between France, Spain and Latin America

Madrid offers structural advantages for LATAM operations that Paris cannot replicate: the same language as 19 Spanish-speaking LATAM countries, a network of bilateral investment agreements between Spain and LATAM countries, well-established Spanish-speaking business chambers and networks, and a legal ecosystem experienced in transatlantic Hispanic operations. The time zone difference with LATAM is comparable (5-7h from Madrid vs. 6-8h from Paris), but language and network are decisive advantages.

We work entirely in English with our French clients. All documentation, contracts and communications are managed in English. For proceedings before Spanish or Latin American authorities, we manage the Spanish versions without the client needing any Spanish-speaking staff. Our experience with companies from French legal cultures (civil law continental systems) facilitates mutual understanding of the legal context.

Not for all operations within the single market. However, you will need Spanish legal advice for: trademark registration at OEPM, Spanish employment law compliance, distribution contracts subject to Spanish law, proceedings before Spanish courts, and dealings with Spanish public administration. For LATAM expansion from Spain, Madrid is the most efficient legal base.

The optimal strategy combines: (1) EU trademark registration at EUIPO from Madrid (coverage across all 27 Member States including France); (2) national or WIPO (Madrid Protocol) applications in each priority LATAM country before market entry; (3) active trademark monitoring in target countries. We coordinate registrations in Mexico (IMPI), Colombia (SIC), Brazil (INPI), Argentina (INPI), Chile (INAPI) and Peru (Indecopi) from Madrid.

The EU-MERCOSUR Agreement, when it enters into force, will eliminate tariffs on over 90% of bilateral trade, open public procurement, protect European geographical indications — including French ones: champagne, cognac, roquefort — in Brazil and Argentina, and strengthen IP standards. For French companies in the agri-food, wine and spirits sectors, GI and PDO protection is particularly relevant. We advise on how to position ahead of the agreement's entry into force.

French sectors with the largest presence in Latin America include: energy (TotalEnergies in Colombia, Brazil, Argentina), infrastructure and construction (Vinci, Bouygues, Egis on concession projects), retail (Carrefour in Brazil and Argentina), pharmaceuticals (Sanofi, Servier, Ipsen), cosmetics and luxury (L'Oréal, LVMH, Kering), banking and insurance (Société Générale, BNP Paribas, AXA), and agri-food (Lactalis, Danone, Pernod Ricard). We have experience across the specific regulatory frameworks of these sectors in each Latin American market.

Yes. We represent foreign IP rights owners — including French owners — before Spanish courts. We manage everything from cease-and-desist letters to full judicial proceedings, including urgent interim injunctions. French ownership of a trademark or patent does not prevent action in Spain if the infringement occurs on Spanish territory or before EUIPO.

Latin American countries do not generally have an EU adequacy decision (except for some specific ones). For data transfers from the EU to LATAM, we implement Standard Contractual Clauses (SCC) between the French/EU entity and the Latin American entity or provider, supplement these with a Transfer Impact Assessment (TIA) evaluating the legal framework of the destination country, and adapt data processing agreements (DPAs) accordingly. We also monitor the evolution of local data protection laws in each LATAM country.