José María Fernández de la Mela is Partner of CAYPE Abogados, Oficina de Madrid. His practice focuses on business law, with extensive experience in the real estate sector. He regularly advises on commercial transactions with a real estate component, including turnkey contracts, project structuring and financing, and construction dispute resolution. He has represented both domestic and foreign clients in complex disputes before judicial courts and arbitral tribunals.

Before joining CAYPE Abogados, he served as Head of Legal at the Spanish Chamber of Commerce and the Spanish Court of Arbitration, and acted as the first Secretary General of the Spanish Centre of Mediation. Previously, he spent more than ten years in the litigation and arbitration practice of Uría Menéndez. His international background includes secondments at Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP in New York and Holland & Knight LLP in Miami.

Education

Dual Degree in Law and Business Administration, Universidad Pontificia de Comillas (ICADE).

Master of Laws (LL.M.), Georgetown University Law Center, Washington, D.C.

Teaching

Professor at IE Law School, where he lectures on Civil Law and International Arbitration in undergraduate and graduate programs.

Memberships

Member of the Madrid Bar Association.

Languages

English and Spanish.