Best Law Firms Report Highlights AI Adoption, Strong Domestic Demand and the Resilience of Small Spanish Firms

AUGUSTA, Ga. (June 4, 2026) — Best Lawyers® today released the second edition of Best Law Firms™ – Spain Legal Market Report. The report, along with Best Law Firms™ – Spain 2027 rankings, offers a comprehensive look at the top firms and trends shaping Spain’s evolving legal industry.

Based on survey responses from 218 law firms employing more than 8,000 professionals and 4,400 lawyers, the report provides insight into financial performance, artificial intelligence adoption, billing innovation, marketing strategy, diversity, and client development across firm sizes.  

Among the report’s key findings: 

• Relationship-Driven Growth: Nearly 80% of large firms reported that new work is driven by repeat business and referrals, underscoring the continued importance of long-term relationships and reputation.
• Technology Transformation: Spanish firms are steadily integrating artificial intelligence into their operations, with 42% of large firms reporting they have implemented GenAI tools across multiple practices. Overall, governance is lacking with only half of all firms reporting they have clear policies on when AI can be used in client matters. 
  
• Resilience of Smaller Firms: Small and solo practices continue to demonstrate strong competitiveness within the market, reporting revenue per lawyer nearly equal to that of mid-size firms.  
  

While half of client work comes from Spain, all large firms and a significant share of small firms reported handling cross-border matters. Europe remains the leading source of international work, followed by Latin America. 

Nearly three-quarters of firms now offer alternative billing arrangements, with firms providing an average of five different pricing models. Fixed-fee arrangements remain the most widely adopted structure. 

Marketing budgets increased at 54% of Spanish firms this year, with client and referrer events among the favorite marketing method across the board. However, only 28% of firms said they have systems in place to measure marketing return on investment. 

Spain’s Top Law Firms Revealed in 2027 Rankings

Released alongside the report, the second edition of Best Law Firms™ – Spain spotlights 1,015 firms, representing the top 1% of firms nationwide.  

This year’s findings are based on one of the most comprehensive assessments of Spain’s legal market, drawing on votes from more than 5,000 lawyers, feedback from over 2,000 clients, and survey responses from more than 1,000 law firms across the country. 

“In just our second year, we’ve seen extraordinary engagement from firms, clients and legal professionals across Spain throughout the research process. While Best Law Firm awards are relatively new to the Spanish market, our methodology for evaluating law firm practice groups has been trusted and endorsed by the legal industry for nearly two decades alongside nearly twenty years of evaluating Spain’s leading individual lawyers,” said Phillip Greer, CEO of Best Lawyers. 

The 2027 rankings cover 55 practice areas across 24 jurisdictions – this year’s edition broadens geographic coverage with the inclusion of Almería and Logroño, reflecting the continued development of legal services across the country. 

In total, 4,453 regional rankings were awarded, highlighting excellence in legal practice across both major cities and emerging markets. Nationally, 309 firms were recognized across 25 practice areas. 

“With the release of the second edition of Best Law Firms – Spain, we build on the strong foundation established in our inaugural year and expand our presence in a dynamic legal market,” said Senior Vice President of Research & Product Strategy, Elizabeth Petit. “By strengthening our data and refining our analysis, this edition offers a more comprehensive view of firm performance and the trends shaping the Spanish legal landscape. As the rankings evolve, they serve as both a recognition of achievement and a practical resource for clients and firms alike.” 

The 2027 honors point to a strong concentration of recognized legal talent in the practice areas most closely tied to Spain’s commercial economy. Nationally, Tax Law and Corporate and Mergers and Acquisitions Law are the most represented areas, followed by Litigation, Insolvency and Reorganization Law, and Corporate Governance and Compliance Practice.

Visit the 2027 Best Law Firms – Spain^TM rankings to find firms delivering the standard of service clients trust. See which firms are setting the benchmark for the profession, with results by firm name, region and/or practice area: https://www.bestlawfirms.com/spain 

Read the full Spain Legal Market Report in English and Spanish.