Michael J. Willisch

Partner

michael.willisch@davispolk.com

Mr. Willisch is a partner in Davis Polk’s Corporate Department, a member of the Spain and Latin America Practice Group and the head of our Madrid office. He advises U.S. and non-U.S. companies on capital markets transactions, mergers and acquisitions and private equity investments.

Contact

Madrid
Paseo de la Castellana, 41
Madrid 28046
P: +34-91-768-9610
F: +34-91-768-9710

London
Davis Polk & Wardwell London LLP
99 Gresham Street
London EC2V 7NG
P: +44-20-7418-1384
F: +44-20-7710-4884

Davis Polk & Wardwell London LLP is a limited liability partnership formed under the laws of the State of New York, USA, and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with registration number 566321.

Related Practices

Bar Admissions

State of New York

Education

B.A., Spanish, University of Utah, 1991
- magna cum laude
B.S., Finance, University of Utah, 1991
- cum laude
J.D., Northwestern University School of Law, 1994
- cum laude
- Note and Comment Editor, Northwestern University Law Review

Languages

Spanish

Work Highlights

Significant Capital Markets Transactions

Has advised on most initial public offerings completed in Spain since 2004, including those of Bankia, Banca Cívica, Amadeus, Rovi, Fluidra, Criteria Caixa Corp., Codere, Almirall, Realia, Clínica Baviera, Vueling, Vocento, Bolsas y Mercados Españoles (the owner of the Spanish stock exchanges), Parquesol, Renta Corporación, Grifols, Corporación Dermoestética, Fadesa, Telecinco and Cintra
Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria on its €5.1 billion SEC - registered rights offering
Telefónica on over $9 billion in SEC-registered notes offerings

Mr. Willisch also has advised on some of the largest capital markets transactions ever by Spanish issuers, including:

Inditex (the owner of Zara and five other fashion chains) on its €2.4 billion initial public offering
The underwriters on Telefónica Móviles’ €3 billion initial public offering

Significant Mergers and Acquisitions Transactions

Ferrovial on its merger with Cintra
Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria on its $10 billion acquisition of Compass Bancshares
Telefónica on its respective mergers with Telefónica Móviles and Terra Networks
Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria on its €4.1 billion cash tender offer for the remaining stake in BBVA Bancomer, Mexico’s largest bank

He has also advised on a number of in-bound or private equity investments in Spain, including:

Hamilton Lane on its investment in Grupo Multiasistencia
Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines on its acquisition of Pullmantur
Quadrangle Capital Partners on its investment in Group On

Recognition

Mr. Willisch is ranked in Band 1 by Chambers Europe 2011, where he is commended by clients as having “invaluable experience, solution-finding ability and effective style of communicating difficult issues.”

He is also listed as a leading lawyer in several legal industry publications, including:

Chambers Global: The World’s Leading Lawyers for Business
Chambers Europe: Europe’s Leading Lawyers for Business
Practical Law Company’s Cross-border Capital Markets Handbook and Cross-border Finance: Secured Lending Handbook
Legal Media Group’s Expert Guide to the World’s Leading Capital Markets Lawyers
Legalease’s European Legal Experts

Professional History

Partner, 2002-present
Associate, 1995-2002
London office, 1997-2001
Madrid office, 2002-present

News

Banca Cívica Initial Public Offering

Bankia Initial Public Offering

Davis Polk Advises BBVA on $1.6 Billion SEC-Registered Debt Offering

View More > >

Client Publications

The JOBS Act: Potential Benefits for Foreign Private Issuers
Client Memorandum

Preparing Your 2011 Form 20-F
Client Memorandum

U.S. Dodd-Frank Act’s Application to Non-U.S. Issuers That are Not Financial Institutions – Rulemaking Progress Report
Client Memorandum

View More > >

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