Samaniego Law | Javier Fernández-Samaniego

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Javier Fernández-Samaniego

Managing Director

javier.samaniego@samaniegolaw.com

+34 687 855 619

+1 786 447 4259

Javier Fernández-Samaniego offers unparalleled authority over information technology matters. His practice is further complemented by additional strength in dispute resolution, data protection and fintech matters.
"His 360 degrees approach to legal and regulatory matters allows him to provide work adapted to the clients' business needs and the political agenda"
"Javier is very experienced. He provides good added value to the project and comfort about the proposed legal solutions".

Chambers Europe, 2023 and 2022, Spain. TMT: Information Technology - Star Individual and Data Protection - Tier 1.

Widely acknowledged as an "excellent practitioner," Javier Fernández-Samaniego offers unparalleled authority over information technology. His practice is further complemented by additional strength in dispute resolution and he has experience in data protection, cybersecurity and fintech regulation matters.

Chambers Europe, 2021. TMT: Information Technology - Spain. Star Individual

Javier [...] commands a strong reputation for his expertise, with interviewees describing him as "a leading light in data protection," and one source stating: "His knowledge is outstanding." Samaniego is highly sought after by multinational technology and social media companies for mandates including sanctions proceedings relating to cybersecurity.

Chambers Europe, 2020. TMT: Information Technology - Spain. Star Individual

Recognised by sources as "an incredible mediator," Javier Fernández-Samaniego advises on competition and antitrust litigation, as well as international arbitration arising from contractual disputes.
"He is a lawyer with an enormous capacity to understand the client's needs. In addition, he has the ability to analyse complex issues to which he provides solutions due to his deep knowledge in commercial law and arbitration"
"Javier is a pleasure to work with and always keeps his focus on the overall goal of a project".

Chambers Global 2023 and 2022. Dispute Resolution – Spain (Recognised Practitioner), Most in Demand Arbitrators – Spain

Javier Fernández-Samaniego advises on competition and antitrust litigation, as well as international arbitration arising from contractual disputes. He is also a key figure in mediation.

Chambers Global 2021. Dispute Resolution – Spain (Recognised Practitioner), Most in Demand Arbitrators – Spain

Javier [...] assists with unfair competition and antitrust litigation, as well as international arbitration arising from contractual disputes. He is known as an excellent mediator with a focus on post-M&A conflicts. One satisfied client describes him as "very knowledgeable, very personable and very down to earth."

Chambers Europe 2020. Dispute Resolution – Spain (Recognised Practitioner), Most in Demand Arbitrators – Spain

Javier is one of the “Top 10 original Legal Thinkers” for 2017 according to the Financial Times Innovative Lawyers Report 2017

Javier Fernández-Samaniego is the Managing Director of SAMANIEGO Law, an alternative iberoamerican law firm specializing in dispute resolution and technology law.

Javier has 27 years of experience in international commercial law acquired in leading International Commercial law firms. His practice focuses mainly in prevention and resolution of commercial international conflicts (international litigation, arbitration, and ADR) and he is particularly focused in IT sector dealing with all kind of issues relating major Tech & Privacy projects (new cloud and big data business models, outsourcing transaction, data protection review programs, etc.). Javier has vast experience assisting European clients in their expansion in Latin America and US clients in their European expansion. He is Admitted in Spain and is Foreign Legal Consultant (certified by The Florida Bar).

Javier is an appointee of the Kingdom of Spain as Conciliator at the Panel of Arbitrators and Conciliators of ICSID The International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes of the World Bank (end of term - February 2026). He is an arbitrator at the information and communication technologies department of the Chamber of Commerce of Madrid. He is also a CEDR accredited mediator and has advised on a number of alternative dispute resolution cases for clients. He is a member of the CPR Panel of Distinguished Neutrals and its European Advisory Board.

Career

2017 - Launch of Samaniego Law.

2005-2016 - Founding and managing partner of the Spanish office of Bird & Bird and head of its Commercial, Dispute Resolution and Information Technology teams.

2000-2005 - Head of the IT and Communications at Linklaters.

1996-2000 - Head of Technology and Data Protection team at Spanish firm Cuatrecasas.

1995-1996 - In-house lawyer at the CDTI (Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology), European Space Agency representative in Spain.

Other relevant information

Javier lectures and writes extensively on technology law and ADR, as well as on innovation in the legal sector. He is Senior Fellow at Florida International University developing its Latin Atlantic Tech law Collaborative. He also keeps a blog Metamorphosis on the legal issues related to innovation and disruptive technology at FIDE Foundation. Javier is fluent in Spanish, English, French and Italian.

Admissions

- Admitted. Madrid Bar Association (1995)
- Certified Foreign Legal Consultant. The Florida Bar (2017)